Dr Kaaryn Cater, PhD
I am committed to helping people harness their unique learning and working preferences to achieve their full potential.
My practice is strengths-based and informed by positive psychology, humanistic learning theory and guided by a neurodiversity approach.
My focus is building strong relationships that support collaborative skill development, narrative coaching and behaviour management techniques.
I am an educator with over 30 years of experience working with learners from primary school through to postgraduate level. With a career spanning classrooms, universities, and international consultancy, I understand that people learn in different ways. I am a passionate advocate for neurodivergent learners and champion approaches that honour diverse ways of thinking and processing. Whether supporting children in their first years of schooling or guiding adults through advanced study, I am committed to ensuring that education is inclusive and responsive to individual needs.
In addition to an extensive background in teaching and educational psychology, I am an internationally recognised sensitivity consultant. I collaborate with individuals, practitioners, schools, universities, companies and government departments to utilise the latest research to inform best practice. Through this work, I help highly sensitive learners and professionals alike to harness their strengths, overcome challenges, and create environments where highly sensitive individuals have the opportunity to thrive—whether in the classroom, workplace, or in daily life.
I am based in New Zealand and work with clients globally.
The Mindwise Connection
I understand that neurodivergent learners process information in diverse and unique ways, and scientific research shows that understanding these differences is the first step to helping neurodivergent people to thrive in education and at work.
Studies in neuroscience and educational psychology reveal how variations in attention, memory, executive function, and sensory processing can affect learning and daily functioning, while also highlighting the strengths that neurodivergence often brings—such as creativity, problem-solving, and heightened perception.
By using research-based strategies, tailored teaching methods, supportive environments, and tools that align with individual learning and work profiles neurodivergent individuals can harness their unique strengths to overcome possible challenges, build confidence and reach their full potential.
My Mission
To work collaboratively with learners, parents, practitioners and professionals to harness personal strengths, and overcome challenges to thrive—whether in the classroom, workplace, or in daily life.
