Counsellors

Areas of specialty

• Child, adolescent and family work
• Couples counselling
• Grief and loss
• Relationships
• Self-esteem
• Sexual abuse and other traumas
• Supervision

Ally practices using a client-centred style, seeing and affirming the client as the expert of their own self by giving validation to their experiences. Ally also uses a variety of modalities that include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interactive drawing therapy (IDT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), relaxation, breath and body work, and psychodrama methods.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• LGBQTI
• Mindfulness and self-compassion practices
• Relationships

Ange offers a pluralistic approach, working in partnership with clients as the experts in their own lives. Together with the client, she works to determine which of a range of perspectives, tools and skills may be most helpful at that time. Ange has particular experience with self-compassion and mindfulness practices, and has interest in neuropsychology and attachment theory. She has previously worked in hospital, palliative care, community and university settings.

Areas of specialty

• Depression and anxiety
• Physical pain
• PTSD
• Relationship issues
• Sexual trauma
• Sexuality and gender diversity

Anne is a body-centred psychotherapist, who will work with you to support the integration of your emotions with your physical and psychological experiences.

She is available for both in-person and online sessions.

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and other drugs
• LGBTQI community
• Sexual abuse
• Trauma
• Registered ACC sexual abuse counsellor

Grounded in the person-centred approach, Anthony draws from a range of modalities to help clients cultivate self-compassion, deepen self-awareness and explore new responses to life’s challenges and complexity. Anthony’s key areas of experience include working with survivors of sexual abuse, addiction and substance use. Anthony is passionate about the welfare of those with whom he shares the LGBTQI space.

In his spare time, Anthony enjoys reading, crafting and spending time in wild places.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Life changes
• Physical ill-health
• Relationships
• Supervision
• Work issues

Belinda works with people in a non-judgemental, flexible way to explore their whole-body responses to life issues. She works existentially, placing peoples' values, beliefs, and resourcefulness at the centre of the work. Drawing from counselling methods including narrative, art therapy, psychodrama, cognitive behavioural therapy, Te Wheke and focusing, her approach is tailored to suit needs. Working with adolescents, adults and the elderly, Belinda's experience spans a wide range of life issues and people of different cultures. Prior to 2007, Belinda worked in finance, HR, IT, management and government.

Areas of specialty

• Grief and loss
• Personal and workplace stress
• Relationships
• Self esteem
• Supervision
• Work with migrants and refugees

Bev is an experienced counsellor, group worker and supervisor who has been in private practice since 1987. She is committed to bringing spontaneity and creativity to all aspects of life and work. Bev has worked extensively with clients of migrant and refugee backgrounds. Bev also specialises in group work and regularly runs groups for strengthening resilience.

Bev is fluent in French and Italian, and has limited knowledge of Te Reo Māori.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions
• Anger management and stopping violence
• Anxiety and depression
• Building respectful relationships
• Supervision
• Trauma recovery and conflict management

Brent has a unique set of counselling skills, developed over 25 years, combining narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness meditation, emotional agility and appreciative inquiry. Brent also combines this with the latest research into happiness, trauma recovery, resilience and positive psychology.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Couples counselling
• Eating disorders
• Supervision
• Trauma

A registered psychologist, Carmen has been trained in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapeutic modalities. She works from an inclusive and holistic perspective, believing that people are the experts in their own lives and ultimately have the inherent resilience to overcome strife. Carmen sees the role of the therapist as assisting individuals in understanding the obstacles to their self-fulfillment. Together, the therapist and client then embark on a journey to develop appropriate tools and strategies to change unhelpful behaviours and to cope with difficulties.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating difficulties
• Parenting
• Stress
• Trauma

Claire draws from a range of therapeutic approaches, but leans mostly towards acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based practice. She is also trained in dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) which she may utilise if helpful to reach a positive solution for you. With over 10 years of therapeutic experience, Claire has worked with individuals who have faced a number of challenges, including: anxiety, depression, eating difficulties, parenting, stress, trauma.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions, meaning and purpose
• Personal growth & development
• Post traumatic stress
• Relationship difficulties (including friends, family members, colleagues)
• Trauma

Delia has almost 20 years experience working as a counselor and psychotherapist supporting people in times of difficulty. Delia provides a safe and confidential place in which she will collaborate with you to explore the challenges you are facing and any uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and/or behaviours that you may be experiencing, supporting you to gain a greater awareness of yourself, your situation and what might be most supportive. She is experienced in working with a diverse range of individuals aged 20+ and from varying cultures and backgrounds in both short and long term therapy. 

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Career uncertainty and self-development
• Change, goal setting and feeling stuck
• General life skills
• Grief and loss
• Self-esteem, assertiveness and anger management
• Stress, burnout and work-life balance
• Relationships (not couples)
• Sexuality, identity and transition
• Teens
• Trauma

The counselling therapy Denis is drawn to respects the client's life perspectives, and offers other potentially helpful and more workable alternatives - which may have got overlooked in navigating life's journey. His approach aims to broaden the range of possibilities open to people by supporting client insights that serve their best wellbeing.

Denis has extensive knowledge and skills in a number of therapeutic tools after working in mental health for the last 20 years, from acute services to GP settings. He primarily includes acceptance and commitment therapy; mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy approaches. Denis has his own private practice in Wellington Central, Overthinking Therapy.

Denis also draws on radical acceptance therapy as a way to open up to life's difficulties as opposed to closing down to them - the latter of which can lead to unhelpful avoidant behaviour - 'embracing your demons' - so to speak. Opening up to, rather than struggling and resisting. Denis endeavours to support you to find more workable ways for what seems unworkable. He appreciates how brutal the mind can be, therefore, he also integrates self-compassion therapy to work more with the mind than against it. 

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and other drugs addictions
• Anxiety and depression
• Couples counselling
• Forensic mental health
• Mental health rehabilitation
• Protection of personal and property rights
• Social issues
• Supervision

Deon has over 17 years' experience in mental health rehabilitation and forensic mental health. He works with individuals, couples and families from a solution focused, holistic and non-judgemental person centred approach. His approach to therapy is evidence-based and includes modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, art therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy, interactive drawing therapy and systemic therapy.

Areas of specialty

• Couples counselling
• Employment and workplace issues
• Family issues and parenting
• Grief and loss
• Impact of illness and disability
• Life transitions, self-awareness and self esteem
• Mental health- anxiety, depression, stress management, trauma
• Sexual and intimacy issues
• Supervision

Diane has experience as a counsellor and supervisor in a range of settings within the private and not for profit sectors, including over 10 years in her own private practice. Diane has experience working with a diverse range of individuals, couples and families and has in the past worked with children and youth. Her approach is solution-focused and creative including a range of modalities, including rational emotive behaviour therapy, psychoeducational using cognitive behavioural therapy tools, interactive drawing therapy and systemic therapy.

Areas of specialty

• EMDR
• Trauma and PTSD

Emma’s work consists mainly of both EAP and private work. She enjoys the brief intervention nature of EAP work and working with health professionals, first responders, and other professionals who tend to want a brief intervention that works to overcome past, present or future stress.

Emma has been doing EAP work online for a year now and really enjoys it alongside her private work with clients. Her previous experience is primarily working with women. She specialized in the postnatal field for many years, then with ACC sensitive claims (sexual trauma, PTSD) and is well versed working with clients with current stressors, as well as complex trauma histories.

EMDR is her specialty which works well online. Emma uses a system called bilateral base, which is a secure health platform that provides tools for doing EMDR online.

EMDR uses the eyes to help a person process anything from the past that is bothering them in their daily life or making them worry about something upcoming in the future. While it uses the eyes to help the brain process events, it also brings in elements of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) - cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, and body work.

She has seen EMDR work very quickly for first responders who are suffering extreme stress on the job because of a previous unresolved work incident. She’s also seen it work for health professionals who are crippled by anxiety due to past incidents in their personal life that are still haunting them. EMDR can work for anyone who is ready, willing, and able.

For more about Emma you can visit mybestme.co.nz

Areas of specialty

• Abuse and PTSD
• Anxiety and depression
• Behavioural issues
• Building self-esteem
• Grief and loss
• Managing anger and other difficult emotions
• Self-harm

Esther's experience with people in a range of settings (schools, youth groups, hospital, hospice, prisons and non-governmental organisations) has helped her bring acceptance, understanding, compassion and a non-judgemental approach to her practice. 

Esther has a non-formal approach and people are at ease with her - nothing shocks her. She would like clients to leave counselling feeling enabled and empowered to believe in themselves and achieve their goals. Clients get a better understanding of themselves and their situation, unpick complex issues and gain coping sills and practical strategies to manage life better. Esther loves helping people come up with their own solutions, so they can carry on without her.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety & depression
• Chronic illness and pain
• Gender diversity
• Low self-esteem
• Relationship issues
• Trauma & PTSD

Fabienne works face-to-face and via telehealth in Lower Hutt, seeing EAP, ACC and private clients. She holds a degree of counselling which focused on bicultural and multicultural practice in Aotearoa. She is currently training with the Wellington Transactional Analysis Institute towards her registration as a psychotherapist.

Fabienne values respect, presence, empathy, and curiosity. She works in a client-centred and collaborative way with adults of any age and gender, and focuses on walking alongside her clients and on finding what each individual needs at that point in time.

She works holistically with conventional approaches such as cognitive behavioural, person-centred, narrative and solution focused therapy, as well as with diverse indigenous and holistic models of health. She has a special interest in mindfulness, and body-focused, creative and meditative approaches.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Cultural identity
• Grief and loss
• Kaupapa Māori
• Mental health
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual and gender identity
• Supervision
• Trauma recovery

Gay specialises in working with Māori whānau, including rangatahi and tamariki. She has particular skills and knowledge related to working with those affected by violence and abuse and those struggling with their cultural identity. She also works with people presenting with a range of mental health issues.

Area of specialty

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) for:

• Anxiety and depression
• Major life changes
• PTSD
• Recent trauma

Jeltsje was born in the Netherlands, grew up in Southland and has lived in Wellington for over 20 years. She has been a therapist for over 17 years, and is an EMDR-accredited practitioner with advanced training. EMDR helps people heal from trauma and a range of other distressing life experiences. Jeltsje is currently offering EMDR therapy for people with experience of anxiety, a sudden bout of low mood, a recent traumatic incident, symptoms of PTSD or other recent big life events. 

Areas of specialty

• Addiction
• Anxiety and depression
• Couples counselling
• Employment and workplace issues
• Family issues
• Grief and loss
• Sexuality, sexual identity
• Supervision
• Trauma and times of crisis

Jerri works with individuals and couples. He believes clear thinking, emotional awareness and astute action are required when working in business or in mental health. Using techniques and skills learned and adapted from individual, family and group therapies Jerri has formed a direct and skillful way of assisting people in their endeavours to gain clarity and insight.

Jerri provides professional supervision and is skilled in developing individual resilience and group functioning. 

Areas of specialty

• Addictions
• Anxiety and depression
• Anger
• Boundaries
• Confidence and self-esteem  
• Emotional issues
• Relationships

John is an experienced, versatile psychotherapist with an empathetic, thoughtful and good-humoured approach to counselling, therapy and addiction treatment for both individuals and groups. 

Areas of specialty

• Couples counselling/relationships
• Critical incident response
• General counselling  
• Trauma

Since qualifying in 2000, John has been fortunate enough to have worked in a diverse range of settings as a counsellor. This includes relationship services, and community houses. He has also worked alongside the probation department, DHBs, business and schools.  

John specialises in relational processes - working together with clients to explore those places where we get lost and troubled and find ways to go beyond our confinements and re-engage with the world.

Areas of specialty

•  Anxiety & depression: mood disorders and cognitive functioning.
• Executive coaching: career development, decision-making, conflict management, strategy.
• Relationships: development, communication, infidelity, conflict, separation, parenting.
• Supervision: clinical and professional, ethics.
• Trauma recovery: PTSD, sexual abuse, domestic violence.

Jonathan guide clients in a process to develop themselves, improve their relationships, and achieve a more fulfilling life. His approach supports individuals in navigating personal challenges, building emotional resilience, and fostering deeper connections with others, all with the aim of creating lasting positive change.

Areas of specialty

• Grief and loss
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
• Problem solving and narrative therapies
• Relationship and family therapy
• Supervision
• Trauma and change

Kaarito (Sally) has close links with Ngāi Tahu and receives regular cultural supervision. She understands the challenges of workplaces and the effects of trauma, change, loss and grief. Kaarito is also fluent in Danish.

Areas of specialty

• Anger and conflict
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief, loss and change
• Mindfulness
• Parenting 
• Relationships and family issues
• Self-esteem
• Supervision   

Kay's approach is respectful and empathetic, and invites collaboration and choice with a focus on identifying strengths and developing new strengths. Her belief is that people are the experts of their own world/life, and with support and guidance can grow and change.

Areas of specialty

• Adjusting to life changes
• Anger issues
• Anxiety and depression
• Controlling behaviour
• Domestic abuse
• Grief and loss
• Self-esteem/self worth
• Separation

Lesli is passionate about seeing people bring about change in their lives, and uses a client-centred, strengths-based approach to help facilitate this change. She has more than 10 years' experience as a counsellor, mentor and workshop facilitator working with individuals and groups.

Areas of specialty

• Confidence and self-esteem
• Life direction
• Relationships (personal and professional)
• Stress and anxiety
• Transitions/change (redundancy, end relationship and life stages)
• Workplace challenges

Liz provides a safe space for clients to talk in confidence, bringing warmth, expertise and humour to your sessions. With over 30 years working as a counsellor, leadership coach and facilitator, Liz has a vast range of knowledge, skills and experience to bring. Liz views counselling as a collaborative approach and draws from a variety of models depending on clients' needs. These models include person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral theory (CBT), internal family systems, Hakomi, non-violent communication, and mindfulness.

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and other drugs
• Anxiety and depression
• Bullying
• Loss and grief
• Mindfulness techniques
• Relationship issues

Margaret is an experienced counsellor of 20 years in general counselling and alcohol and other drugs work with individuals. Drawing on a collaborative client-centred approach with a variety of therapeutic models in her counselling, she is passionate about enabling clients to create the best possible life for themselves. Margaret also has a particular interest in a mindfulness based approach and somatic experiencing to improve mental wellbeing.

Area of specialty

• Addictions
• Anxiety and depression
• Clinical and cultural supervision
• Gender/sexuality 
• Grief and loss
• Kaupapa Māori
• Violence and trauma
• Relationships

Marie is experienced in both short and long-term therapy, having worked in various settings including university, addiction services, hospital and family violence agencies. Marie has worked extensively with Māori communities and also Pasifika and migrant populations. Marie approaches counselling as a process where she can support her clients to find meaningful and workable ways to manage life’s events. She values connection and aims to offer a neutral space where people can simply talk things out.

She also brings experience working with Māori worldviews and indigenous practices.

Areas of specialty

• Adolescent and youth
• Attachment
• LGBTQI
• Long-term therapy
• Mental illness
• Relationship with self and other
• Supervisor

Mark's counselling training at Massey University gave Mark a client-centred, psychodynamic understanding of human behaviour. More recently Mark has trained at the Wellington Transactional Analysis Training Institute towards psychotherapy registration. He also sits on the assessment team of the NZ Association of Counsellors.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Couples counselling
• Grief and loss
• Life challenges
• Mentoring and supervision

Martin, an experienced counsellor originally from the UK, has been in New Zealand over 15 years. Martin is the co-founder of the charity Whirlwind, which is focused on helping men get better at the mental side of life.

Martin works solely in private practice and has contracts with employment assistance organisations and the health sector (PHO). He also sees clients privately and/or with Work and Income support.

Martin was awarded the Queen's Services Medal in 2019 for services to mental health.

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and addictions
• Difficult/challenging behavior

Mary Allan is a qualified and experienced social worker and registered associate AOD clinician with specialist skills in comprehensive AOD and mental health assess for tāngata whaiora with complex addictions issues. She is experienced at risk assessments and formulation.

Mary is an alcohol and drug counselor with more than 13 years' experience working with dual-diagnosis clients. She has been a part time clinical lecturer/tutor with Otago University for the last 10 years since she completed her post graduate diploma in health sciences with distinction (Addictions) in 2001. Mary really enjoys teaching adult students in the addictions area and assisting with academic writing. She has specialised skills working with clients in the Corrections system. Mary has group facilitation skills and has done some psychodrama training quite some time ago. Mary loves to run and spend time with her kids. She is an energetic and enthusiastic person and has a good ability to engage people especially those considered to be 'difficult'. She has 3 years' psychodrama training and uses action methods and role theory to inform her work. She was fortunate to be trained by Dr Robert Crawford and Mike Consedine in Christchurch in the 1990s.

Areas of specialty

• Emotional freedom techniques 
• General counselling
• Group work
• Occupational therapy
• Workplace rehabilitation

With Maya you don’t just talk about your problems you do something about them.  As an Allied Health Rehabilitation Professional, her style of counselling is pragmatic.  With a focus on the mind-body connection, she offers you a practical approach to shifting the ‘angst’ of life through engagement based treatments alongside Talking Therapy, such as:  Emotional Freedom Techniques and Occupational Therapy.  Taking the “teach a man to fish and feed him for life’ approach, Maya empowers clients to understand how beliefs and thoughts inform their feelings and behaviour/habits and to develop tools to make the changes they need to deal effectively with the ups and downs of life.

With a solid background in health, Maya has worked in a range of clinical, community and private settings dealing with a range of complex mental and/or physical health and wellbeing problems.  

Maya also offers in-house functional assessments, workstation set-ups; return-to-work plans and rehabilitation programmes.  She is able to offer insight into disability and awareness of the same.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mental health
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Parenting
• Physical health impacting on mental wellbeing
• Trauma

Natalie has extensive experience within the mental and general health sector. She works from the understanding that life is sometimes very difficult, however this does not need to prevent us from engaging in what is important to us. Natalie works predominantly from an acceptance and commitment therapy perspective - which is an effective, evidence-based way of working that allows people to build skills to manage psychological and life challenges.

Areas of specialty

• Addictive behaviour
• Adults, couples, youth
• Change facilitation
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Communication styles
• Couples counselling
• Dynamics and relationships
• Grief, depression, stress, anxiety-balance
• Holistic wellbeing
• LGBTQI
• Life coach
• Work-life imbalances - burnout
• Professional and clinical supervision

Nicole's passion for supporting people through challenging times or issues ensures a high level of collaboration and client-driven problem solving. She will work honestly and transparently with you.

Areas of specialty

• Anger management
• Grief and loss, trauma
• Relationship therapy
• Personality and mood disorders
• Supervision

Peter likes to provide a collaborative treatment approach based on the relationship between the client and therapist. His approach varies through talking, interactive art and education. Peter finds those approaches provide a supportive environment while he remains objective, neutral and nonjudgemental. Through this journey, people are able to identify and change the thought and behaviour patterns that are keeping them from feeling their best. Peter is a certified transactional analyst, a psychotherapist and also provides clinical supervision.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Relationship issues
• Workplace issues

Phil has been working in the mental health area for 40 years. He is an experienced counsellor who has helped clients from all walks of life achieve positive outcomes. He works to help clients quickly identify the issues they are working with, and create strategies to help them move forward.

Currently offering in-person sessions in Paekakariki, and remote in other regions.

Areas of specialty

• Community-work issues
• Facilitation
• Mentoring
• Narrative therapy
• Psychologist
• Supervisor
• Training
• Workplace counselling

A qualified clinical psychologist and narrative therapist with over 25 years' experience, Richard assists adults, young people, children, couples and families from a wide range of communities in addressing their issues and concerns.

Richard's preferred method is narrative therapy because of its commitment to working respectfully, collaboratively and effectively.

Areas of specialty

• Addiction assessments
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Existential/cultural understanding
• Generic counselling
• Motivational interviewing
• Youth and student counselling

Having previously worked as a paramedic in Western Australia, Robert then spent over 8 years counselling for PHOs and over 2 years as a youth alcohol and drug counsellor/educator for WellTrust. Robert also provides alcohol and drug assessments for courts and Oranga Tamariki.

Areas of specialty

• Adjusting to disability
• Adjusting to life changes
• Christian counselling
• Depression and anxiety
• Interactive drawing therapy
• Supervisor
• Youth counselling

Robyn has expertise in interactive drawing therapy and Christian counselling.

Areas of specialty

• Anger and stress management
• Depression
• Drug and alcohol dependency and relapse
• Grief and loss
• Low self-confidence
• Sexuality and sexual identity
• Trauma
• Victims of separation/divorce/redundancy

Languages spoken

• English
• Tokelauan
• Tuvaluan

Ruta has worked in Samoa, helping young women through trauma and loss. She has worked in New Zealand since 2001, integrating cultural knowledge into appropriate models of treatment, working with a holistic approach to support Pacific people and New Zealanders in any way possible.

Areas of specialty

• AOD
• Couples
• Family violence
• Supervision
• Trauma

Sandra is a counsellor that brings more than 30 years of experience in both NZ and Australia.  She is committed to excellence and observes the highest professional and ethical standards.  Sandra works with initiative and flair, and is a person of integrity.  She relates well with diverse people groups and embrace multiculturalism in my work practice and personal life. 

She values justice highly and likes to see people given equal opportunities.  She is creative and passionate about others using their creativity to find their own meanings.

Sandra has worked in prisons and in women's refuges.

Areas of specialty

• Body-centred psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Emotionally focused therapy
• Interactive drawing therapy
• Neuro-linguistic programming
• Sexual abuse and PTSD
• Supervisor
• Trauma
• Registered ACC counsellor

Shar is experienced working with individuals, couples and groups. She is also able to provide clinical supervision and group facilitation. 

Areas of specialty

• Careers
• Depression and anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Mindfulness
• Psychotherapy
• Stress management
• Supervision

A psychotherapist, general and career counsellor, Sharman is particularly interested in how our mind affects our body and vice versa, using mindfulness and dreams therapeutically and with a deep understanding of how workplace issues impact on our personal wellbeing.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and stress
• Attachment
• Family issues and parenting
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions
• Self-awareness and personal growth
• Work-life balance

Sherin brings with her over 10 years of counselling experience in Singapore and New Zealand, working with clients across a wide range of cultural, lingual, gender and socio-economic backgrounds, employing an approach of mutual respect, empathy and patience. She uses a client-centred counselling approach,  while also tapping on to other evidence-based approaches to support client wellbeing. Sherin has also worked with children in the past using sand play therapy, so understands how unresolved issues from childhood may affect the present. She helps clients become more self-aware, encourages them to use mindfulness and self-compassion practices to build resilience, and uses a trauma-informed approach to working with people. 

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety & depression
• Discrimination
• Exploring identity
• Grief & loss
• Managing life changes
• Stress management 

Shiranthi is a client-centred counsellor who works collaboratively with clients to provide support, process emotions and explore possibilities for change. She is warm and compassionate, and comfortable working with people of all ethnicities, genders and sexualities.

Shiranthi is Sri Lankan and born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand.  She is a mother to two young children.  Shiranthi is feminist, anti-racist and an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Areas of specialty

• Climate mental health and eco-wellbeing
• Couples counselling
• Grief & loss
• Professional supervision

Silvia is a Christian counsellor who works in private practice in Upper Hutt and online, offering counselling and supervision. Her approach is warm and integrated, offering aroha, encouragement and insight. Silvia is also an author and researcher, especially in climate mental health, as well as a trainer and ordained minister. She brings particular interests in leadership, spirituality and body awareness, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Assertiveness
• Coping with change
• LGBTQI
• Self-esteem
• Work-life balance, workplace relationships
• Trauma

Stephanie has been a counsellor since 2011, and prior to that has worked in mental health, teaching and empowerment work. Stephanie works with people in a non-judgemental and flexible way – drawing on a range of modalities that suit the client. Stephanie has experience in working with workplace issues, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, assertiveness, resilience, stress, relationships, family issues and sexual abuse.

Stephanie works with a wide range of issues and has worked with range of people from a range of ethnic and other minority groups, and her approach is to work in the style that suits each person’s needs. She works with the person and their story/strengths to assist them in finding a way through the issue or the situation.

Area of specialty

• Anger and stress management
• Anxiety and depression
• Drug and alcohol related issues
• Grief and loss
• LGBTQI and sexuality
• Life changes
• Relationships
• Self-esteem and confidence
• Supervision
• Trauma
• Workplace conflict

Holding a masters degrees in sociology and counselling, with postgraduate study in a variety of fields including CBT Steve has extensive experience working with adults and young people on a range of issues as detailed above.

Steve uses evidenced-based approaches to support clients wanting to explore aspects of their life while raising awareness and building resilience. He is compassionate and warm with a sense of humour and is particularly passionate about supporting LGBTQI people. Steve has worked in various support, leadership and governance roles at NGOs, PHOs and tertiary institutions in Australia the UK and Aotearoa. 

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety & depression
• Conflict resolution
• Grief & loss
• Relationship mediation
• Supervision & group supervision

Sue is a professional counsellor and mediator who commenced her private practice in 1992 after working in different government agencies and medical health centers since 1980.

Areas of specialty

• Anger management
• Anxiety and stress
• Conflict resolution
• Gender identity
• Grief and loss
• Life changes
• Relationships
• Sexuality

Areas of specialty

• Anger/frustration issues
• Anxiety and depression
• Drug and alcohol issues
• Grief and loss
• Men's issues
• Stress
• Supervisor
• Workplace issues and trauma recovery

Tim provides a confidential, supportive and safe place for clients to work through both personal and professional issues. He has worked in private practice since 1999 and has also worked for Phobic Trust and Refugees as Survivors. Tim's professional background also includes a background with the Public Service and Union, as well as film and video. 

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Coping with change
• Grief and loss
• LGBTQ+
• Loneliness
• Mens issues
• Stress management

Tom is a seasoned counsellor practising for more than 20 years who has been trained in Gestalt therapy, humanistic therapy, CBT and ACT. He is very skilled in dealing with a range of problems that you might experience, such as listed above along with trauma related issues, ADHD and OCD. Tom is able to talk to you about any problematic situation you might find yourself in.

Tom’s work ethics are informed by his holistic understanding of life. When you work with Tom, he will hold a non-judgemental, open and expansive space, where you can be with all the parts of you. These may include your thoughts, emotions, beliefs and desires, and also the parts that might be hard to name. You’ll work together in a collaborative way that is responsive to whatever is arising in each session. Tom’s intention is to both be with you in process, and to help you understand your process.

Areas of specialty

• Family Court work (mediation and domestic violence)
• Individual and family relationship counselling
• Student and employee assistance
• Supervision

Toni carries a strong belief in the importance of the counsellor-client relationship, and she works closely with clients towards their goals. Toni is trained in person-centred and experiential therapy, narrative therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. She has a particular interest in the dynamics of abuse and supporting survivors of abuse and workplace bullying. 

Toni developed knowledge and understanding of bicultural settings, and also from working in an Arabic/Muslim culture, believing that connection and the willingness to stand alongside another person are key elements of effective counselling. 

Areas of specialty

• Addictions and substance abuse
• Anxiety and depression
• Couples therapy
• Cultural shock - transition to a new culture
• Life coaching and decision making
• Parenting and personal growth
• Relationship issues
• Supervision
• Trauma 

As an experienced psychodramatist and psychotherapist, Zsófi work with individuals, couples and children. She believes that we all have the capacity to accept and embrace who we are and also to change for the better.

Zsófi provides space for exploring self awareness, relationships and behavioral patterns by using psychodramatic techniques. This includes raising awareness on feelings, reactions, insights, body and mind connections and somatic experiences. Along with talking, she pays attention to somatic experiences. There will be an opportunity to see your life situation with a bird's-eye view, to see a situation from different perspectives and role reverse with other people. These techniques enhance awareness and empathy.

Her professional experience and intuition help individuals, couples and group members move from words into action, which facilitates self-expression and recognition of feelings, creates rapport, builds trust, nurtures a capacity for empathy, and enhances self-acceptance among people.

Zsófi is also tapping into exploring somatic experiences through clown work and learning some more about physical theatre.