Dr Jean Annan is a registered psychologist who works with children and young people to strengthen their emotional well-being and learning. She has collaborated with schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, developed and delivered university programmes in educational psychology, and worked with government agencies focused on promoting young people’s well-being.

At Positively Psychology, Dr Annan’s practice is grounded in contemporary psychological science, drawing particularly on positive psychology, neuroscience, and solution-focused and narrative therapeutic approaches. These evidence-based practices inspire practical strategies that help young people build confidence, resilience, and well-being - both in learning and in life.

During psychology sessions, children come to understand and manage their feelings, thoughts and actions. Through learning about how the brain and body respond in various circumstances, children and teenagers learn to navigate social situations, respond more calmly and effectively to feelings of anxiety and concentrate more on learning tasks and social activities. At the same time, parents discover how they can best support their children in ways that integrate with and complement the families’ daily schedules and their everyday culturally- and socially-established practices.

Throughout a series of psychology sessions with children and their families, the well-being of young people is continually explored in the background. This process facilitates ongoing recognition of areas of strength on which growth builds as areas of challenge are bolstered. Ultimately, young people, as do adults, strive to feel safe and assign meaning to their activities in their everyday environments. For children to thrive, they must enjoy strong relationships with others, regular positive experiences, consistency within and across the various environments they encounter, and a manageable amount of challenge to spark their interest in activity beyond that already known. When thriving, children feel safe and experience a sense of belonging, purpose, direction and contribution. Their self-narratives are positive, and their identity is strong.