Ai Kihara

Ai is an ACC Registered Trauma (Sexual Abuse) Therapist, Mental health first aid instructor, EMDR therapist, Domestic violence advocate, Domestic violence therapist, NZAC qualified counsellor and social worker (Registered both in Japan and NZ). Ai can undertake counselling in either English or Japanese. Ai works with groups and individuals including, adults, children and adolescents. Ai is a member of Rainbow Auckland, and has a strong passion for helping queer clients, their whānau, and the community.

Areas of Expertise

• sexual abuse
• child abuse
• domestic violence
• mental health
• addiction, drug, alcohol, tobacco
• cross-culture
• LGBTQIA+
• loss &grief
• trauma
• parenting
• Relationships
• Suicidal intervention
• Work-related issues and problems (EAP)

International Students

I have worked at Taylors College as an attendance officer in the student welfare office and have a passion to provide counselling for international students, not only for Japanese but other ethnicities, too. I provide counselling both in NZ and Japan by face to face, phone and Zoom.

Counselling Services

I believe the relationship between the client and myself is equal and therapeutic by the holistic perspective, which means we create your new counselling journey with a comfortable and safe environment.

I use my own life experience and work experience as a social worker and counsellor to combine different interventions. My basic concept of counselling comes from Morita therapy and Naikkan therapy. These two therapies will improve your resilience and guide you to start your new life.

To sustain the effective and safe practice, I refer to other counselling models and theories such as Person-centred therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Transition Analysis, Art therapy. I always check your preference and progress not only by us but also by my supervisor in confidentiality.

Counselling Approaches

• EMDR
• Person-centred therapy
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Transition Analysis (TA)
• Art therapy
• Morita therapy
• Naikan therapy
• Imago therapy
• PTG (Post-traumatic Growth)
• Zen Mindfulness
• Zen art therapy 

Background and Experience

• Have trained and worked as a social worker and counsellor since 1997
• My private practice work involves individual counselling, couple, family, seminars and workshops (e.g, Self-esteem, boundary)
• Worked at Women’s refuge in Japan and other services as a social worker in Japan
• Worked at Lifeline, Shine (Domestic Violence Centre), MIT Manukau (lecturer) and other social services
• Currently working at ACC, EAP, Community mental health service, Shakti Women’s centre through my own business of director at Hana Counselling and Education.Ltd
• Worked for international students’ since 2011. (Counselling, advocate, agent job)

I do not take any ACC client at this stage.