Counsellors in Waikato

Areas of specialty

• Process-oriented psychotherapy
• Psychodrama
• Supervision
• Sexuality and sexual identity
• Registered ACC counsellor

Alison has worked for community agencies where she was involved in counselling, facilitating support groups, training volunteers, education, fundraising and developing professional protocols.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Identity and self-esteem
• Life skills including communication/conflict skills
• Relationships
• Sexual abuse and trauma
• Stress management
• Registered ACC sensitive claims counsellor

Angela is a counsellor working at Matamata, Waikato. She has skills in most areas of counselling and works collaboratively to find skills to help with life’s challenges - using cognitive behavioural therapy, strengths-based approaches, mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy. 

Areas of specialty

• Addiction issues
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Postnatal depression
• Relationship issues
• Workplace stress

Becky has worked for 26 years in the mental health sector, and for the past 11 years in the primary mental health sector with clients referred by their GP for assessment, treatment and counselling. In 2020 Becky made the decision to launch her own counselling business in Cambridge and Matamata, an area she has previously worked and grown up in. She is passionate about working with clients from these varied rural communities.

Areas of specialty

• Defining personal values
• Depression and anxiety
• Mid-life
• Relationships
• Self-esteem
• Supervision

Bryce believes in the worth and potential of all human beings, and is committed to assisting people in removing barriers that impede their quality of life.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Clinical assessment and treatment for mental health
• Family and relationships
• Family court and family services
• Psychologist
• Sexual abuse and harassment
• Supervision
• Trauma
• Workplace and employment issues

Byron has been in clinical practice for nearly 20 years, working with all types of situations and with people from different backgrounds. Byron works from a holistic approach and uses his professional training to address personal and professional problems with his clients. He reaches solutions collaboratively with clients and establishes individualised treatment plans to achieve positive outcomes.

Byron is presently providing online telehealth (Zoom, phone) services only.

Areas of specialty

• Deaf and hearing impaired
• Disability
• Spirituality
• Sexual abuse

Telling stories about our lives helps us to process events; Celia works in narrative ways to help you tell your stories and find solutions to the difficult things happening. For many years she was a teacher of Deaf and special needs students from preschool to high school. Celia is fluent in NZSL (sign language) and has a passion for delivering a service that is inclusive and understanding of people who have different needs and communication styles.

Celia also offers professional supervision to counsellors, mental health workers, nurses and other professionals working in mental health as well as pastors, church leaders and community volunteers.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Communication skills/relationship support
• Grief and loss, especially baby loss/infertility
• Havening Techniques® certified practitioner
• Perinatal Mental Health and wellbeing
• Trauma - sexual abuse, birth trauma, family, suicide
• Working with pre-teens and young adults

Clare's health background (nurse/midwife) and many levels of counselling training enables her to work with you from a wide variety of possibilities. Clare's passion is to create a safe place where you can be heard, supported and find ways forward.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief
• Relationships
• Self-esteem
• Sexual abuse
• Trauma

Donna has worked as a qualified counsellor since 2011. She enjoys working with many age groups, along with a wide variety of ethnic groups and sexual orientations. She uses a client-centred framework that works collaboratively and uses an array of modalities appropriate to the issues involved.

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol abuse
• Anxiety and depression
• Critical incident and trauma
• Grief and loss

Elizabeth is passionate about working with people to unpack the operation and effects of the problems in their lives, map their hopes for themselves, story the abilities, strengths and actions that would support them to have the lives they want for themselves.

She has experience as a university services counsellor, high school counsellor, high school counsellor, women's refuge and in private practice. 

Areas of specialty

• Concerns related to mental health
• Grief and loss
• Mindfulness
• Navigating change
• Online distractions
• Relationships
• Stress
• Supervision
• Use of alcohol and other substances
• Work contexts

Gayle has worked as a professionally qualified counsellor in New Zealand and internationally. She considers it a privilege to have worked with people from many parts of the world, particularly with those who have a Chinese cultural background. These opportunities have enriched both her personal and professional life and it is her hope that those who consult her will experience an honouring of their cultural/ethnic heritage.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Mindfulness
• Trauma

Glenn has a pastoral background and many years of experience. His counselling practice is trauma informed which means he understands how traumatic experiences impact people's physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

Glenn uses a number of different approaches with his practice that will help you make sense of the traumatic events in your life, manage overwhelming emotions, anxieties or relational conflicts and create a positive future with hope.

Areas of specialty

• Abuse
• Addictions
• Chronic and terminal illness
• Grief and loss
• Life changes
• Parenting problems
• Relationships
• Self-development
• Supervision
• Trauma
• Work-related issues

Jacky is an experienced counsellor, supervisor and tutor. She works across a very wide range of issues with individuals, couples, families and workplaces. Her work background includes trauma agency, family agency and training institutes. She believes we all experience difficulties along our way and it is her privilege to work with you for a brief time to find solutions to make changes to traverse those difficulties.

Areas of specialty

• Anger management
• Anxiety and depression
• Family violence
• Grief and loss
• Trauma
• Registered ACC counsellor

James works within a team who believe in the worth and potential of all human beings. They are committed to assisting clients to remove barriers that impede quality of life. They value professional diligence and lifelong learning and are committed to staying current and relevant to their clients. James is able to work with a wide range of client issues and can access a variety of modalities.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Family violence
• Parenting
• Registered ACC counsellor

Jo works with a team who believe in the worth and potential of all human beings. They are committed to assisting clients to remove barriers that impede quality of life. They value professional diligence and lifelong learning and are committed to staying current and relevant to their clients. Jo is able to work with a wide range of client issues and can access a variety of modalities.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Bullying
• Communication techniques
• Grief and loss
• Parenting skills
• Personal/coaching development
• Relationships
• Trauma
• Workplace issues

Working predominately as a skilled specialist with adolescents, Julie is able to reflect and draw on 8 years of counselling practice and group therapy facilitation. She has worked with students from a number of schools in the district. Julie's desire is to share her skills and achievements with others: inspiring, motivating and caring for people from a platform of non-judgement, framed with kindness, good-natured humour and respect woven into therapeutic practice.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions - adolescents and adults
• Generic counselling
• Sexual abuse
• Working with adolescents
• Registered ACC sensitive claims counsellor

Linda has been working for over 14 years in the South Waikato area, offering generic counselling and addiction counselling.

Linda attends regular supervision and professional development training opportunities.

Areas of specialty

• Grief and loss
• Group facilitation
• Interactive drawing therapy
• Self awareness and inner child work
• Supervision

Lynette has much experience helping people with personal, relationship and work-related problems - helping people gain emotional relief and increase awareness of themselves and their relationships as they make sense of their experiences.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety, depression & low mood
• Grief & loss, bereavement by suicide
• Neurodivergence – ADHD & autism 
• Trauma

Marina is a mental health occupational therapist based in Claudelands, Hamilton. Known for her professional approach and unwavering commitment to supporting individuals struggling with daily challenges, she has worked in independent practice since 2020. Over the last 10 years her experience across acute, community and primary care mental health settings has allowed her to develop a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health and its impact.

Whether providing professional supervision to clinicians or working with individuals battling anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health challenges, Marina employs a client-centered approach, empowering her clients to reclaim their sense of clarity, independence, and wellbeing. Using therapeutic activities and techniques, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and skill-building exercises, Marina equips her clients with evidence-based tools and strategies to overcome obstacles and find solutions in their daily lives.

Marina also works with Aoake te Rā – an organisation supporting people bereaved by suicide.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions
• Anger management
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Depression
• Supervision
• Workplace bullying

Mark works with a solutions-focused approach to assist you to gain a greater awareness of yourself, your values and what motivates you to find realistic ways of reaching your goals. Mark, a Māori counsellor, lists his iwi as Ngā Puhi.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Mental health issues
• Trauma and abuse

Nanda works within a team who believe in the worth and potential of all human beings. They are committed to assisting clients to remove barriers that impede quality of life. They value professional diligence and lifelong learning and are committed to staying current and relevant to their clients. Nanda is able to work with a wide range of client issues and can access a variety of modalities.

She has experience working with senior citizens, migrants and refugees and is fluent in French, Hindi, Urdu, Mauritian and basic Spanish.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Burnout and stress
• Grief abnd loss
• OCD
• Panic attacks
• PTSD
• Trauma

Naomi has a background in nursing of over 20 years (palliative rehabilitation and cardiac) and latterly almost 10 years' counselling, empowering people to navigate calmer waters and to cope with life’s obstacles.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Burnout and stress
• Depression
• Family/relationship problems
• Grief and loss
• Work pressures

Nicola is a member of the NZ Association of Counsellors (since 2012), and has a masters in counselling. She has worked in private practice since 2014 and previously worked for hospice in Gisborne, supporting patients and whānau who were affected by a life-limiting illness. Nicola works with adults dealing with a wide range of issues. Clients can contact her to have a quick chat to see if she would be a good fit for them - ask the Vitae intake team. Please note that Nicola does not do couples counselling or work with young children. 

Areas of specialty

• Alcohol and other substances
• Anger management
• Anxiety/depression
• Body issues
• Grief and loss
• Navigating change
• Relationships and whānau issues
• Te Ao Māori models of practice
• Trauma

Nicole works with people on whatever concerns or stresses they experience. Being Māori and having counselling experience helps her to support people from many walks of life. She works to empower/increase mana in others, from a respectful, wholistic approach. Nicole uses narrative, Te Ao Māori models, and person-centred practice. She likes to collaborate with people for preferred outcomes.

Areas of specialty

• Gender safety
• Mental health concerns for young people and adults
• Relationship within families/whānau, workplace and parenting
• Supervision
• Trauma

Roxie has worked in New Zealand at an independent boarding school for the last 10 years. Her other roles included working for the Ministry of Education Special Education, Wise Management Services, Waikato DHB Inpatient Mental Health Service and for non-government organisations.

Roxie has also worked internationally as a therapist at the South Carolina (USA) Department of Youth Services and in Nova Scotia (Canada) in an adult psychiatric day treatment programme.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions
• ADHD
• Anger management
• Anxiety and depression
• Christian counsellor
• Domestic violence
• Grief and loss
• Relationships (including couples)
• Trauma
• Workplace issues

Ruth’s passion is to support people in their stuckness, helping them to understand themselves and their behaviours so that they can move forward. Her strength is relating to people through unconditional positive regard while believing that they are the expert of their own lives. Ruth works with teens and adults.

Areas of specialty

• Communication skills
• Depression
• Family issues
• Grief
• Life balance
• Stress management
• Trauma

Sandy enjoys working with a range of people who are navigating life. She has a sense of humour and finds providing therapeutic help to clients a real honour. Sandy is matter-of-fact and yet sensitive to the challenges her clients encounter as human beings.

Areas of specialty

• ADHD
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Anxiety and depression
• Chronic pain and illness (e.g. endometriosis and chronic fatigue)
• Coping with change and transitions in life
• Disordered eating and body issues
• Family issues
• Grief and loss
• Panic disorders
• Separation and divorce
• Stress and workplace stress 
• Trauma  

Sonia uses a variety of counselling and psychological approaches to cater to your needs and work with the issues you might be facing. She offers in-person counselling and online services, and can work in collaboration with your GP or other services to support you as needed.

Areas of specialty

• Addictions
• Anxiety and depression
• Head injuries
• Mental health
• Supervision

Sumita is a DAPAANZ registered alcohol and drug clinician and clinical supervisor. She has worked in mental health and addictions since 2012.  Sumita believes her job is not to change you but support you to get through difficult times and learn new skills to become unstuck and be at your highest potential.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Navigating change
• Relationships
• Use of alcohol and other substances

Susanna has been with Vitae since 2019 and also works in private practice. Susanna works with people on whatever concerns them. She prioritises the safety and wellbeing of those who work with her. Susanna's approach is respectful and collaborative and draws on narrative and solutions-focused practice. Counselling clients get to work in partnership with Susanna and together find preferred outcomes.  

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Mental health
• Supervision
• Trauma

A skilled strengths-based therapist specialising in treating trauma symptoms, Tracey enjoys meeting people and believes that everyone has potential to achieve great things. She works with a variety of people and their families, and has experience from her past role as a therapist at a local DHB Mental Health service.

Tracey is a skilled practitioner in EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing), Deep Brain Reorientation (DBR), DDP (dyadic development practise) and also uses other approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).

Areas of specialty

• Cognitive behavioural therapy 
• Dialectical behaviour therapy 
• Emotionally focused therapy (level 2: additional)
• Mindfulness
• Relationship/couple therapist 

Using the above counselling therapy models, Valeska prioritises the relationship between the client and the therapist, focusing on providing a safe and non-judgemental environment where people can explore their concerns. This provides the opportunity to gain new tools and understanding in order to manage difficulties and make positive changes.

Valeska works nationally online.

Areas of specialty

• Anxiety and depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Grief and loss
• Identity gender diversity
• Stress and burnout
• Trauma

Vicky brings over 10 years of general counselling experience. She is experienced in a holistic approach which includes compassion focused and person-centered therapy. Utilising psychological interventions such as CBT (cognitive behavioural), alongside mindfulness practices, narrative therapy and Māori based approaches. She offers supervision to a wide range of industries.