Rate My Professor Mami Yamaguchi

Dr. Mami Yamaguchi is a clinical psychologist currently serving as the Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist at the University of Otago Student Health and Wellbeing service, having joined the team in 2023. She earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Otago in 2011, with a thesis titled "Pitfalls of Extrinsic Goal Pursuit: Wellbeing, Life Goals, and Self-focused Attention," conducted as part of the Social Cognition Lab from 2007 to 2011 and co-supervised by Tamlin Conner. Her doctoral research investigated the negative effects of pursuing extrinsic goals on psychological wellbeing and the role of self-focused attention. Additionally, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology from the same institution, qualifying her for clinical practice.

Yamaguchi's research specializations during her academic tenure at the University of Otago Department of Psychology centered on positive psychology, goal pursuit, and cross-cultural differences in perceptions and stereotypes. Key publications include "Goals and Well Being in New Zealand" (2012, New Zealand Journal of Psychology, co-authored with Jamin Halberstadt), which examined the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic life goals and wellbeing in a New Zealand sample; "Stereotypes of Age Differences in Personality Traits: Universal and Accurate?" (2012, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology); "Perceptions of Aging Across 26 Cultures and Their Culture-Level Associates" (2009, Psychology and Aging); and "The Inaccuracy of National Character Stereotypes" (2013, Journal of Research in Personality). These contributions have accumulated over 800 citations across academic databases. She also authored the book "Resolving Your Hidden Negativity" (Mikasa Shobo, 2014), applying her expertise in wellbeing to personal development. In clinical practice, her interests encompass anxiety, depression, low self-worth, underachievement, relationship difficulties, and complex trauma, employing a collaborative and compassionate therapeutic approach. Originally from Japan, she supports clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.