Counsellors in Otago

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Family-work balance
• Grief and loss
• Relationships
• Supervision

Adele has over 20 years' experience working in the counselling and therapy field, and has expertise in supporting people to manage their anxiety and mood. She has specialist training to work with couples, and manage addiction and grief, along with extensive experience as a professional supervisor. Adele's focus is to work alongside clients, supporting them to identify and achieve their own goals.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions
• Anger management
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Relationships
• Stress and adjustment issues
• Trauma and PTSD

Anna works together with clients to ensure their perspective is heard and understood so they can work toward real solutions and improve both function and wellbeing in day-to-day life.

Areas of specialty

• Eating disorders
• Foster care
• Maternal mental health
• Youth mental health

Anna is a trained social worker with many years experience. Working in youth mental health and foster care Anna found that she was not seeing the transformation she wanted to see in young people’s lives. Retraining as a life consultant after receiving life consulting herself Anna offers a holistic consulting model for wholeness and connection for the mind, body and heart. Anna loves to walk alongside people in forming a better relationship with themselves.  

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and other drugs
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Relationships
• Supervision
• Tikanga Māori

Bill's approach to counselling is holistic because people experience their lives in many ways. Bill has been counselling now for over 14 years as both a general counsellor and alcohol and other drug (AoD) counsellor.  Bill honours a person’s path to self discovery as a unique experience; his aim is to help a person have a better life and be happy.

Areas of specialty

• Anger
• Anxiety, panic attacks
• Depression, low self-esteem
• Relationship strain
• Trauma

Facilitating change includes creating a safe space in which healing can take place. Creating a safe place and being present, allows us to explore our thoughts and feelings as they arise and helps to reveal patterns that have been in place often for many years, often as an out-grown protection, and which may appear in some of the ways mentioned above.

Chris is trained in a Rogerian Humanistic approach and draw on my decades of interest in nonduality. Prior to becoming a therapist, he worked in international trade in regions of conflict and development, providing him with a broad picture of the human condition.

Areas of specialty

• Abuse
• Anxiety and depression
• LGBTQI
• Sexual trauma
• Violence
• Registered ACC counsellor

An experienced counsellor working with LGBTQI clients, Danielle also has extensive experience in communication and relationship building skills from her work as a veterinary nurse in a demanding environment, as a mother in the counselling degree programme and in her contractor work with Youthline Otago, ACC and Stopping Violence Dunedin while also holding a leadership role on the Dunedin Pride incorporated management committee since 2018. 

Areas of specialty

• Gestalt and psychodynamic approaches
• Health and wellbeing issues
• Individuals and couples
• Supervision

Working as a psychotherapist for more than 20 years, Dinah has observed that many people approach therapy as a last resort. She sees therapy as a collaborative process in which we will search to uncover events and patterns that have shaped your life in order to understand your current situation.

Dinah is also a supervisor in a number of health and education fields for both groups and individuals, as well as a group facilitator and trainer for the Gestalt Institute of New Zealand.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Finding meaning in life
• Grief and loss 
• Life transitions
• Personal growth and development
• Relationship difficulties
• Stress management

An accredited Gestalt therapist, Elizabeth holds a masters degree in counselling and has trained in the use of cognitive behavioural therapy - and more recently has studied the contributions of neuroscience to our understanding of counselling and psychotherapy. She is also a certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.

Through listening to your constructions about your life the people you interact with, the beliefs you hold, the language you use and the stories you tell, Elizabeth helps you to look at your response patterns to life's events.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety & depression
• Alcohol and other drugs and behavioural addictions (AOD) 
• Māori models of health
• Trauma and post traumatic stress disorder

Emma identifies as tangata Te Tiriti and within her therapeutic framework, she utilise a mana-enhancing practice that is culturally responsive, aiming to systematically address the well-documented association between substance abuse and historical experiences of trauma among tangata whai ora / people seeking wellness. This approach is informed by a deep understanding of the social and cultural contexts surrounding traumatic events, grounded in Māori-centered perspectives that recognise all forms of violence as violations of mana and tapu. Often, those who have experienced historic trauma may turn to substances as a coping mechanism. However, her work extends beyond substance use; Emma support individuals facing a diverse array of challenges, including mental health issues, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. Addressing these issues simultaneously helps to identify and disrupt harmful cycles, enabling tangata whai ora to develop healthier coping strategies and achieve their full potential. She works collaboratively with clients to explore the significance of interpersonal dynamics in shaping their sense of self and well-being, allowing them to understand the intricate connections between their past experiences and present challenges.

Emma has a specialisation in mental health and a post graduate in alcohol and other drugs and behavioural addictions (AOD). 

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and panic
• Eating disorders
• Low mood and depression
• Grief and loss
• Self-esteem and confidence issues 
• Substance abuse, drug and alcohol and other addiction issues 
• Supervision
• Trauma, critical incident support, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Friederike (Rike) is a social worker and a trained counsellor. She gained a social work degree, graduating in 2000 and 5-years post-graduate training as a counsellor. She has extensive training and experience in a variety of therapy models which include cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused, therapy, systemic therapy, mindfulness and strengths-based counselling.

Areas of specialty

• Anger management
• Drug and alcohol addictions
• Grief and loss
• Mediation
• Relationship counselling

Geoff is a counsellor and professional supervisor within Catholic Social Services. He also has experience working with Victim Support as well as the Salvation Army as an alcohol and drug caseworker.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Adjustment/life events
• Grief and loss
• Self confidence/esteem
• Stress - work and personal
• Trauma

Glenda has worked in the area of counselling/therapy for over 35 years and values the importance of sharing our thoughts and feelings and the potential healing this can provide. She strongly uphold the principles of confidentiality and professionalism.

Glenda's primary training is cognitive behavioural therapy and neuropsychotherapy, and she is also trained in a number of therapeutic interventions: narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy including mindfulness skill, and EMDR.

Areas of specialty

• ACC and Family Court counselling
• Child and adolescent counselling
• Clinical supervision
• Family therapy
• Narrative therapy

Graeme is an experienced counsellor and clinical supervisor and works for a number of​ ​services providing workplace counselling. In the past, Graeme has worked for child, adolescent and family agencies in care and protection. He has also worked in community, student health and psychiatric healthcare services.

Areas of specialty

• Abusive relationships
• Anxiety and depression
• Couples counselling
• PTSD
• Separation issues
• Sexual violence

Helen's early work as a counsellor involved agency work in Christchurch, Dunedin Women's Refuge and Auckland Rape Crisis in the 1990s. Helen also ran a private practice in Oxford UK for 2 years and has been in private practice since 2009.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Domestic violence
• Emotional focused therapy
• Trauma

Helen has more than 21 years' experience working with interpersonal psychotherapy and emotionally focused therapy techniques. She has a special interest in helping people suffering of anxiety and depression. 

Areas of specialty

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Relationships
• Solution-focused therapy
• Teenagers

Originally form Waimate in South Canterbury, James has extensive clinical experience over a period of 25 years within a variety of counselling and education institutions in both Australia and New Zealand. He has full membership with MNZAC.

James has completed a masters in clinical counselling, with a focus on family therapy, couples therapy and group work from the University of New England, Australia, and a postgraduate bachelor in counselling from the same university.

He currently works as a clinical counsellor across several schools in Dunedin, as well as a small private practice located in central Dunedin. The experience of engaging in counselling is a deeply personal journey that affects all of us in different ways - and sometimes in ways we would never have expected. By talking together through your concerns, counselling can help you to see solutions you didn’t know were there. It can also help you find ways to cope better and move on in your life. James understands and honours that each person's story is unique and we are all affected by life in different ways. He also understands the importance of being respectful of each person’s culture and belief systems.

Areas of specialty

• Adolescents and children
• Career coach
• Grief & loss
• Mental health issues - depression, anxiety and trauma
• Relationships - conflict resolution, family therapy
• Stress
• Supervision

Jean has over twenty years’ experience working as a counsellor in a solution-focused, holistic approach. This transcends traditional therapy by acknowledging the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. This enables clients to tap into their personal stories of resilience and transformation. Jean’s approach is deeply-rooted in trauma-informed, narrative and body work, reducing anxiety and fostering emotional regulation.

Jean works with supervisees to co-vision professional paths and preferred futures.

Jean is a registered teacher and also a tertiary tutor.

Areas of specialty

• Couples counselling
• Object relations
• Psychodrama
• Psychodynamic approaches
• Relationships
• Sexuality and sexual identity
• Supervision

John works with individuals, couples, and groups in both short and long-term counselling. While he draws on object relations and inter-relational approaches, these are part of a wide variety of perspectives. He has an extensive training in psychodrama and has published in sociology and social science fields.

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol, drug and other addictions work
• Grief and loss
• Mental health
• Trauma

John has been a practising Alcohol and Other Drug practitioner for 18 years with two DHBs. Along with this, he worked as a crisis worker as a duly authorized officer under the Mental Health Act. John works in a holistic way with the people he serves and matches the therapy to the best needs of the person he is working with. John has worked with people who have suffered with AoD addiction, trauma, adjustment and relationship problems plus many other issues. John has a passion and a desire to see people set free to be want they want to be. 

EFT, REBT, CBT and other therapies trained and certified.

Areas of specialty

• Communication difficulties
• Coping with change
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Interpersonal relationships
• Stress

Judith is a therapist who has experience with a wide range of people, having worked in a government department for many years. Judith is familiar with the stresses and strains of the workplace, including the management of relationships within it.

Areas of specialty

• Relational psychotherapy
• Self-esteem
• Trauma related distress

Lilian works as a relational psychotherapist in private practise and is approved by ACC as a sensitive claims provider. She has a degree in psychology and have trained in transactional analysis, trauma counselling and AOD.

She has  worked for more than 10 years with an agency as an AOD clinician facilitating a women’s programme for women with coexisting presentations, (predominantly trauma related).

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Couple counselling
• Family violence
• Workplace stress

Life's problems can feel overwhelming, and our mental and emotional wellbeing bears the costs. We try our best to stay afloat, and when that doesn't work we can resort to more drastic actions. Maria supports people to strengthen their courage and wisdom, finding solutions and growing their wellbeing through these difficulties. When we ask for help, we are investing in ourselves.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Clinical supervision
• Complex PTSD and trauma
• Grief and Loss
• Life transitions
• Parenting difficulties

With over ten years of experience in counselling, Mel honours all people’s unique pathways towards reaching their full potential to find balance, meaning and wellbeing in their lives. Mel provides personalised support in a safe and supportive environment and has specialist training in helping people with complex trauma and PTSD.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Grief and loss
• Workplace and study challenges
• Work and personal relationships

Kia ora. I have been a counsellor since 2010 when I completed my Masters in Counselling at Massey University. I have a background in secondary and tertiary teaching and counsellor education. I currently work part-time at Otago Polytechnic as a counsellor for tertiary students and part-time in private practice as a counsellor and supervisor. I am committed to a collaborative model of practice which is primarily person-centred and which draws on a variety of different approaches according to what best suits the needs of the person I am working with. 

Areas of specialty

• Assessment
• Grief
• Identifying deep-seated issues
• Psychotherapy and counselling
• Supervision

Pauline is an experienced psychotherapist with a demonstrated history of working in the public and private sectors. She brings strong healthcare and education services such as mindfulness, psychology, technology, assessment, needs analysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling psychology.

Pauline has expertise in assessment and helping clients resolve deep-seated problems, helping change perceptions or feelings about particularly difficult situations.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions - alcohol and other drugs
• Depression and anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Relationship issues
• Stress
• Trauma
• Workplace bullying

Sally provides empathic and holistic counselling to address a range of life issues and challenges. As a registered social worker, addiction practitioner and qualified naturopath, she draws on a range of theoretical models including cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, transactional analysis, attachment theory, somatic therapy and intersubjective therapy.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Eating disorders
• Relationships
• Sexual abuse
• Sexuality and sexual identity
• Trauma

Sandra trained at the Ashburn Clinic, a therapeutic community in Dunedin. She has extensive experience in dealing with mental illness and can also provide short-term focused help for less severe difficulties.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Conflict resolution
• Family violence issues
• Relationship therapy

Sarah believes 'If you're feeling hopeless or stuck, if it's hard to see a way forward or find a solution - counselling can help'. Talking to a trained and nonjudgemental counsellor can help you change or move forward with whatever issue it is that is affecting your life.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Child and adult mental health
• Conflict management
• Couples counselling
• Family therapy
• Grief and loss
• Insomnia
• Stress management
• Supervision
• Registered ACC counsellor
• Registered Family Court counsellor
• Trauma

Languages spoken

• Bahasa Malaysian

Shanti has over 22 years of experience working as a therapist alongside individuals, families and couples. Previously having worked in Singapore, Shanti is also knowledgeable in working with people from various cultures and ethnicities. She has a Master’s in Social Science in Counselling from the University of South Australia. She is a full member of NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors) and a BWRT registered practitioner of the Terence Watts Institute in the United Kingdom and is currently in private practice.

Shanti uses an eclectic approach to therapy. However, she is passionate about using neuroscience based therapy, BWRT (brain working recursive therapy).  It is a completely personalised therapy that is customised specifically to the way your brain and mind work. With a strong foundation in science and evolutionary biology, it is designed to work effectively in reconditioning existing neural pathways in the brain that normally result in unwanted behaviours and emotions, for instance, one’s reactiveness in stressful situations.  Shanti also utilises CBT, solution focused brief therapy, positive psychology and mindfulness to resolve client’s specific issues. She is an ACC sensitive claims provider and a family court appointed counsellor.

Over the years, she has also conducted organizational training workshops on stress management, effective communication and work/life balance as well as topics on parenting. Shanti is equipped with a broad skill set to address a wide range of issues such as stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, workplace conflicts, trauma and challenges in relationships.

Areas of specialty

• Addiction
• Couples counselling
• Depression and anxiety
• Domestic violence
• Grief and loss
• Responding to life changes or crises
• Sexuality
• Trauma
• Workplace issues

Sonja is passionate about counselling. Her model of practice is relational and person-centred, drawing on a range of modalities in collaboration with her clients to best respond to their needs and goals. There is something very healing in the experience of being deeply attended and skillfully listened to with warmth and empathy without judgement.

Areas of specialty

• Conflict and burnout
• Depression and anxiety 
• Grief and loss
• Family separation and conflict
• Personal growth
• Self-esteem and assertiveness
• Trauma and PTSD
• Workplace stress

Suraya is of Lebanese descent and welcomes clients from varied cultures. She has worked with adults, youth and children in the field of counselling and art therapy for over 25 years. Wherever it is helpful to clients, Suraya will use her art therapy to express thoughts and feelings through a concrete creative medium - allowing for clarification, perspective and setting personal goals for change and growth. In addition, Suraya has specialist skills in family and group work, and has also worked in adult psychiatry in Auckland, London and Dunedin.