Anisha Kulkarni

Kia Ora and welcome. I believe that we have innate knowledge of what will help us overcome our difficulties. I’m committed to developing a safe, respectful & non-judgmental space, for you to bring your inner strengths & uniqueness, so I am able to support you to achieve your goals in therapy.

Areas of Special Interest

• Parenting
• Adoption-related difficulties
• Trauma
• Substance use
• Family Violence (children witnessing & experiencing)
• Life transitions
• Relationships (family & other)
• Emotional difficulties
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Self-esteem & Self-worth

Counselling/Therapy Services

We face some tough situations in life – losing a job, ending a relationship or losing a close family member. Sometimes it is about transitioning into parenthood as a new mother or father, struggling with post-natal blues or sadly, losing a child. Our little ones also have big problems in their young minds- pressures of education, peer conflict, bullying or unfair and undeserved experiences of trauma, hurt and loss. Often psychological/emotional support can be helpful during these tough times.

The foundation of my work is based on “hearing” you/your child and developing a safe, honest and trusting therapeutic relationship with you/your child. I use techniques to support self-awareness and develop skills and strategies which will help you/your child achieve what you wish from therapy.

Counselling/Therapy Approach

My work is guided by techniques that have been well-researched over the years. With children and young people, I work at their pace and use various creative, relevant and inclusive play-based approaches to help them with their difficulties.

My work draws on several approaches to therapy such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, evidence-based Family Therapies, Therapeutic Community model for substance use difficulties. However, you/your child and I will create a therapeutic plan that best suits your needs.

Background and Experience

I am an Indian-born immigrant who has lived, studied and worked in New Zealand for 12 years. I was very young when I decided that I would become a psychologist, which came from seeing much suffering in my home country (India). This made me passionate about people, and I was always looking for ways to help. I volunteered extensively with an orphanage in india, which sparked an interest in adoption and when I did two research studies at AUT as part of my study, I researched the topic of adoption. Through my employment, I have worked alongside children, young people, adults, couples and families in non-government organisations, delivering parenting models, supporting family and couple relationships and supporting young people and children.