Auður Zoëga | Psychotherapist
I am a PACFA-registered psychotherapist working in private practice with individuals. I have a Bachelor of Counselling & Psychotherapy from the Ikon Institute.
Driven by a curiosity about human development, relationships, and the mind (and by my own pursuit of healing) I found my calling in psychotherapy. Alongside my studies, I attended my own therapy and continue to do so today. I see this as an essential part of my ongoing development both personally and professionally. As I deepened my understanding of the human experience, I discovered a special passion for child development and nurturing strong parent-child relationships. Now, I dedicate my practice to supporting parents of young children and those preparing for parenthood.
Why I Do This Work
We are seeing rising rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people and new parents. While it's crucial that those already suffering receive the help they need, I believe the long-term solution lies in taking preventative measures: by better supporting children's wellbeing from the very start and protecting them from stress and adverse experiences.
We can best achieve this by supporting and educating parents. As parents, we are our children's most important environment. Since most of our own struggles and challenges stem from our early experiences, we have an opportunity, when we become parents ourselves, to break cycles and create something different for the next generation.
This is how we create better lives for our children, now and in the future; by ensuring they grow up with healthier and happier parents. When we address these challenges at their root, we're not just helping one family, we're contributing to a generational shift toward greater wellbeing.
How I Work
My approach is informed by what we currently know about human development, including attachment theory, self-esteem development, intrinsic motivation, and how children learn and grow.
I practice from the perspective that you already have an inner knowing of what is right and helpful for you and your child. My role is to help you reconnect with that wisdom by working through the outside pressures that have clouded your natural parental instincts.
Rather than providing one-size-fits-all solutions, I support you in discovering your own family's path forward, one that honors both your child's developmental needs and your family's unique values and circumstances.
Walking This Path Too
I am also a parent myself to my daughter, born in 2023. Having this understanding of child development has been invaluable in my own parenting, helping me avoid many of the common pitfalls and struggles that can arise when we don't understand our children’s needs and feelings. This lived experience, combined with my professional knowledge, allows me to offer both the wisdom of training and the authenticity of walking this path myself.
The meaning of ‘Intentional Arc’
The name 'Intentional Arc' (inspired by the work of French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty) comes from the idea that we're all constantly moving through life in a purposeful way, shaped by our past experiences and actively responding to what's happening around us.
Think of it like this: every moment, we're drawing on everything we've learned before - our childhood, our relationships, our successes and struggles - to make sense of what's happening now and decide how to respond. This creates an 'arc' of intentional choices and growth over time.
This is especially true in parenting. How we respond to our children isn't just instinct - it's influenced by our own upbringing, what we've learned about development, and what's happening in our lives right now. Sometimes we react from old patterns that don't serve us. Other times, we respond with wisdom and presence.
My work helps parents become more aware of this process. Together, we explore how your past experiences shape your parenting, and how you can make more conscious, intentional choices about how you want to show up for your children. It's about creating that arc of growth and healing - not just for you, but for your whole family.
This approach recognizes that parenting isn't just mental or emotional work - it involves your whole self, body and mind together.