Lynne Fletcher – Lower Hutt

I work collaboratively with you, as the expert on your world, to uncover, make sense of and embrace your uniqueness and concerns, and work towards your desired changes in a safe and supportive environment.

Areas of Special Interest

I have a special interest in, and have worked extensively with, people with:

• perinatal distress
• stress
• anxiety
• depression
• anger
• grief/loss
• life transitions
• isolation/loneliness
• low self-esteem and confidence
• relationship difficulties
• communication strategies
• trauma

Counselling Services

What we do depends on you. The work is tailored to your individual needs. I have an open, accepting, curious and compassionate approach. I aim to work alongside you, assisting you to uncover and embrace your strengths and meanings at your own pace, while promoting self-understanding and acceptance. For instance, you may just need to share or ‘offload’ your concerns verbally, you may wish to review your life story, you may be exploring immediate or future solutions, you may be after some skills such as mindfulness. You may be interested in exploring your concerns experientially, cognitively or some other way.

Counselling Approach

I work flexibly, drawing from various modalities along with an orientation towards a whole body approach. I apply the principles of Bioenergetics and Hakomi (body-integrated psychotherapies) to a broad range of client issues.

The Hakomi principles of Unity, Organicity, Mind-Body-Spirit Holism, Non-violence and Mindfulness particularly inform my work.

‘Hakomi’ means “who are you?” Described as self-discovery, Hakomi is a gentle, respectful way of working in the present moment. From infancy we make meaning of our experiences by forming beliefs about ourselves and the world. These ‘core beliefs’ affect how we think, feel and behave. Once we are aware of our beliefs, we can consider choosing ways of thinking or feeling which align with how we want to be in the world now. Mindfulness provides a way of non-judgmentally exploring the present moment. I may invite you to turn towards your experience (as opposed to avoiding the hard stuff, which usually perpetuates problems).

In 2024 I completed the four-year Bioenergetic Analysis psychotherapy training. Bioenergetics, like Hakomi, privileges working with your body experience to promote healing.

About Me

I am a NZ European woman and mother, born in Wellington. Since suffering postnatal distress, I have experienced first-hand the benefits of counselling.

My experience counselling clients spans 15 years. In 2009 I began a 3-year Diploma in Integrative Psychology while volunteering as a Samaritan. Continuing to counsel clients, I did further tertiary study to extend my tool-kit to better meet clients’ differing needs. I have done many shorter courses including Trauma, Couples, and Interactive Drawing Therapy. I spent two years with an NGO and several years with Little Shadow (formerly Post Natal Distress Support Group). I now work privately and also see clients through Telus Health EAP (Employment Assistance Programme).