Rate My Professor MaryAnn Stevens

Senior Lecturer MaryAnn Stevens is a clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Otago, Wellington, part of the Faculty of Medicine within the Health Sciences Division. With over 30 years of experience in clinical psychology across diverse settings including acute care, residential facilities, outpatient services, community programs, private practice, and work-based environments, she focuses on complex trauma, anxiety, pain, psychosis, and prevention and recovery strategies for individuals in high-risk professional occupations. Stevens primarily employs Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in her clinical practice, complemented by training in various contemporary psychotherapies. She maintains an active clinical role alongside her academic responsibilities, providing consultation and training to clinicians.

Recognized as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading EMDR educators, Stevens holds approval as an EMDR Institute Trainer and EMDRNZ accredited Trainer. She directs the EMDR training courses at the University of Otago and convenes key papers including PSME455 Foundational Clinical Practice in EMDR Therapy and PSME456 Advanced Clinical Practice in EMDR Therapy. Stevens co-developed, with Dr. Tom Flewett, the Postgraduate Certificate in EMDR Therapy, which received approval in 2024. This program marks the University of Otago as the first university-based EMDR therapy training provider in Australasia and the second worldwide. Designed specifically for the New Zealand context, it equips clinicians to address complex trauma presentations in settings such as Te Whatu Ora, Corrections, and ACC contracts. The course content undergoes rigorous evaluation through a collaborative research effort with the University of Otago and Massey University research groups, with the research protocol published in 2024. Stevens contributes to expanding the program's capacity by training new lecturers for future deliveries in 2025 and 2026.