Anna is a psychologist based in Auckland, New Zealand, welcoming therapy clients to her Ponsonby clinic. She also offers online consultations. She is a Certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with a deep personal commitment to these practices as pathways to increased well-being and flourishing. Learning to be mindful and to treat oneself with kindness when meeting life's inevitable challenges is a powerful antidote to depression, anxiety and burn-out, enabling one to live with ease, connection and contentment.
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"Working with you has changed the most important relationship in my life .. the relationship with myself. For that, I am truly grateful." Vanessa
Evidence shows mindfulness and compassion practices are balms for many modern day ailments and can increase resilience and wellbeing. Anna is a regular speaker to both corporate and community audiences, sharing personal, professional and academic expertise.
Life can be difficult. Learning new tools to cope with emotional and physical distress can help. If you feel that compassion-based therapy may be right for you, contact Dr Anna Friis for an appointment (in person and on-line services available)
Anna offers training in mindfulness and self-compassion in New Zealand and around the world. She is a Certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion with the Center for MSC (www.centerformsc.org), and is a Mentor for the programme through the University of California San Diego Center for Mindfulness . She also offers monthly free zoom meditation drop-ins to which anyone is welcome. (Click courses tab for current training options and enrolments)
FIVE-DAY INTENSIVE TRAINING MANA RETREAT, SEPTEMBER 8-13, 2024
September 8, 2024 7:00 PM
Mana Retreat Centre, Coromandel
Tuition Fees: $900
This is the full MSC course in an intensive five-day format, co-taught by Dr Anna Friis and Mara Elwood.
The retreat starts on Sunday, with an evening meal and a short introductory session. Sessions continue Monday to Friday. Morning sessions 9.30 to 12.30pm, afternoon sessions 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will be optional creative sessions offered in the evening by Mara to deepen that days learning. There will be plenty of time to explore the gorgeous grounds and surrounds of Mana Retreat Centre as well, with a morning off from coursework in the middle of the retreat.
with Drs CHRIS GERMER AND ANNA FRIIS,
December 17, 2024 (see flyer for enrolment details).
In the space of a few short months I watched, awe-struck, as my granddaughter took her first-ever breath and bore silent witness as a dying stranger took their last. One life began, another life ended. The veil lifted, the bells chimed; I remembered once more that life is miraculous, fleeting, fragile and infinitely precious. Nothing is permanent. Everything is changing, arriving and leaving. With the New Year’s gift of slowed time, and the oxygen and inspiration that comes from travelling in foreign places, I offer my take on making the in-between breaths count; on what makes a life well-lived.
read moreThis summer, for the first time in what feels like way too long, I have spent day after day just with myself and my beloved. Real conversations have unfolded. We have had time and space, and felt expansive and safe enough to say things that needed saying, and loving enough to hear them with an open heart. We have learned wonderful new things about each other after all these years together. We’ve had real fun. We noticed how when days slow right down, they become curiously full. Turns out there is a lot going on when we unbusy ourselves. ... click below to read more.
read moreA few weeks ago, just before New Year, I spent an hour or so lost in a big sea, swept several kilometres from shore, holding tightly to my paddle board. I felt very small, very fragile, riding increasingly large ocean swells. A decision to test my new board without checking the conditions found me caught in an escalation of off-shore wind and currents – and in trouble. Eventually I got rescued by the local surf life saving crew in an IRB responding to calls from people who had seen the wind blow up and take me away. I lived to tell the tale. And I sure won’t be going paddle boarding in conditions like that any time soon. So, why am I telling you this? Other than an opportunity for a shout out to the local surf life savers (thanks guys, you’re awesome) what was interesting to me was the realisation that I wasn’t panicked, and I think that’s hands down thanks to my meditation practise ... click below to read more.
read morePractise mindfulness and self-compassion in your daily life
Learn how to handle difficult situations and emotions with greater ease
Learn how to motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
Learn tools to transform challenging relationships
Increase resilience and learn tools to prevent burn-out
Practise the art of savouring and self-appreciation
Health Psychologist
B.A. PGDipSci, M.Sc (Hons),
PGDip
Health Psychology, PH.D