Professor Kirsty Ross completed her BA (Hons I), PhD and PGDipClinPsych through Massey University. She is a registered Senior Clinical Psychologist, and a Professor in Clinical Psychology at Massey University Palmerston North campus. She is also part of the leadership team for the Palmerston North Psychology Clinic and is Acting Head of the School of Psychology. Dr Ross has worked with children, young people and families for over 23 years, and for the past 18 years, she has seen clients through the Psychology Clinic on the Manawatū Campus. There, she has specialised in working with children, young people and families/whānau of people who have long term/terminal health conditions, particularly cancer. She has a long association with the Child Cancer Foundation, and trained counsellors and therapists across Aotearoa to establish a network of therapists to work with children with cancer and their families. Dr Ross also specialises in working with people with anxiety and trauma, and has expertise in Adverse Childhood Experiences and intergenerational trauma.
Dr Ross’s knowledge, focus and values as a clinician guide and inform all aspects of her work, encompassing a developmental and family systems perspective, centred around a recovery model and a holistic view of wellbeing. Dr Ross works with individual clients as well as organisations and groups in the community to enhance existing strengths within individuals, family/whānau and communities to prevent serious forms of mental distress and illness and foster mental health, wellbeing and resilience.
