Karen Nimmo

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Karen Nimmo

Tips, tools and strategies for the problems of everyday life :) Karen Nimmo works with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships and weight issues.

Mental Health and Psychology resources, curated (and sometimes written!) by Wellington Clinical Psychologist Karen Nimmo. She specialises in high performance psychology.

21/06/2026

Kia ora tātou / Hi everyone

Thanks so much to everyone who has reached out with love and support in the wake of recent publicity.

I truly appreciate your kindness at a time when my resilience is being stretched to its outer limits!

To summarise:
* I am not currently practicing as a clinical psychologist.
* I am not writing a weekly column for Stuff.

I am still writing, though, and the prospect of writing without restraints is quite delicious. Could be fun. Could be juicy.

Join me on Substack if you're interested. xx
https://substack.com/?

I spent 20 years as a psychologist. Now I write about it. Author of Busy as F*ck, The Good Partner, My Bum Looks Brilliant in This and Fish Pie is Worse than Cancer.

21/05/2026

Is your life all give and not much take?

My latest Stuff column takes a look at the hidden cost of being the one everyone relies on.

For lots more of my articles, and my free fortnightly newsletter, come and join me on Substack!

You’re the organiser. The reliable one. The calm one. But evetually that pressure can take its toll.

29/04/2026

Should I stay or should I go?

There are many reasons couples stay in terminally strained or miserable relationships and top of the list (apart from money) are the kids.

But is it a good idea? This week's Stuff column takes a look.

Also, my fortnightly newsletter is starting up again next week. Come join me on Substack if you'd like some tips and tools to help you with the art (and struggle) of being human.

There are many reasons people stay in relationships that are terminally strained or miserable. But top of the list (aside from money) are the kids.

14/04/2026

A friend posed an interesting question after going to a school reunion - are the best years of your life behind you?

And -- eek -- what do you do if they are?!

So I wrote this Stuff column. Read for free here :)

And, if so, what can you do about it?

04/03/2026

Got a few worries about your relationship?

I've asked the “front door” question of a lot of people, especially when they’re in conflictual relationships which are beginning to affect their mental health.

And, if it's all good behind your front door, then take a moment to be grateful for it :)

Here's this week's column on Stuff

Five questions to ask yourself

27/01/2026

Back at work and feeling the pinch of the waistband after all those summer time treats?

It's that time of year when we launch "healthier me" plans. But beware of going in too hard or setting the bar too high - or your best laid plans might turn around and bite you on one of the body parts you're trying to trim :)

This week's Stuff column offers up a gentler approach.

If you enjoy these posts come join me on Substack "A 'Good Enough' Life" which is going to be the new home of my entire psych library.

For those who can't find it, I'll post the link soon!

Above all, focus more on yourself than your body.

24/12/2025

Gift giving is meant to be an expression of love.

So what does it mean when you get a gift you didn't want, the gift your partner wanted or no gift at all?

This week's Stuff Column takes a look at your gift giving language and what's driving it.

Thanks to everyone who has read, followed, clapped and commented on my articles and columns this year (even if you didn't like what you read :)

I'll have a new book out in the New Year - details to come.

Meanwhile, Merry Christmas / Meri Kirihimete and fun, safe holidays to all!

Do you remember the worst Christmas gift you ever got?

09/12/2025

Are you DOING ENOUGH this summer?

Cramming in as much as possible? Making sure you'll have good content for the Instagram feed?

True, no-one signs on for therapy to talk about ‘optimising’ their summer holidays. But it’s a source of stress for many, particularly when we all know January’s social media will be flooded with others’ enviable adventures.

This week's column takes a look at how to have a (slightly) more chill summer break. Enjoy!

Are you falling for the summer productivity trap?

25/11/2025

Ah menopause. It can be a hot mess for everyone!

Certainly for those going through it, but also for partners and families.

This week's Stuff column takes a look at what's going on from a partner's perspective and makes some suggestions for how to show support.

Your partner has changed. Not overnight, it’s been a slow burn, so to speak.

04/11/2025

Why do you feel so flat after achieving a big goal?

Psychologists call it the 'arrival fallacy' -- the illusion that once you ‘arrive’ somewhere — smash that goal — you’ll feel happier and that feeling will stay with you.

But the high doesn't last. All too quickly life returns to normal and you realise you're still you, on a slightly different landscape.

This week's Stuff column takes a look, along with the first steps to sparking yourself up again.

In this week's column, clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo explains that flat feeling following a major achievement.

Address

Thorndon
Wellington
6011

Website

http://onthecouch.co.nz/

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