Ban Al Gailani

Counsellor MNZAC (Prov), PGDip guidance counselling, BSC psych

Kia Ora and Welcome,

My name is Ban and I’m a registered counsellor with experience working with individuals, kids/teens and families with whatever they are struggling with including anxiety, stress, and peer/ family relationships. I use a culturally informed lens to support your needs and your whanau.
My main purpose is to be present, compassionate, and an open human in the room with you. I focus on building a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space to share the tough stuff as well as the not-so-tough stuff.

I believe it’s okay to be, and sometimes feel, a little messy. Life is messy and I know this isn’t easy! But you don’t have to do it alone, so I am so glad you are exploring options to support yourself.

You deserve this!

Who I Help

I have been a counsellor since 2018 across various roles in the NGO space, have experience working with individuals, young people (8-19), and whanau/parents and people from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups.

Some issues include but are not limited too:

  • Managing anxiety
  • Peer Relationships 
  • Relationship breakdown/issues
  • Workplace issues/conflict
  • Depression
  • self-esteem
  • mood disorders
  • grief and loss
  • self-harm
  • stress and burnout
  • Goal setting
  • Anger management
  • dealing with a loved one with mental illness
  • Supporting parents to support their tamariki and rangitahi 

My Counselling Approach

As a counsellor, my training is person-centred and pluralistic (which means not a one-size-fits-all approach). I believe that you are the expert in your own life, so I will collaborate with you to address your unique needs and experiences!

I utilize evidence-based counselling methods such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to name a few. I also draw on these to support your understanding of yourself, how your brain and nervous system work, to find the best ways to overcome challenges and develop coping strategies.

This can be overwhleming and You may have questions about the process or about counselling in general.

Please feel free to reach out for a chat. I offer a free 15-minute consultation over the phone/Zoom to see if I’m the right fit for you or your family’s needs.

FAQs

Q Registrations and Qualifications

- Provisional Member, Registered with NZ Association of Counsellors (NZAC)
- Masters of Counselling Studies (awaiting thesis completion in 2024, Massey University)
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance (Massey University)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Auckland University)

Q Fees?

- My fees are $80 for a 1-hour session over the phone and online
$100 face-to-face in east or west Auckland location.
- I also offer a sliding scale rate.
- I send an invoice after each session, and you can pay via bank transfer.
- If you are eligible for a Disability Allowance through Work and Income, you may be able to apply for funding for your counselling sessions. We can work through this process together.
- Please feel free to discuss the above with me.

Q When can I see you?

I currently have limited availability for Online/phone sessions only on Sundays.

Q Benefits of going to counselling?

Counselling can help you:
• Figuring out what truly matters to you and living more like the person you want to be.
• Better understanding of what is happening inside your body and how this connects to your thoughts and feelings.
• Learn to be kind, and compassionate and look after yourself
• Identifying and exploring concerns/challenges and understanding how they are affecting your life
• Listen and respond to your needs
• Learn strategies to manage intense emotions and manage different behaviors or challenges.
• learn skills to cope with the inner battle and lives unending stresses.
• Help build resilience and learn how to cope effectively in stressful and challenging situations

Q What has other people said about their counselling sessions with me?

As a Counsellor who has worked with a wide variety of clients with a range of presenting issues, clients tell me I have helped them to:

• Feel as if a weight has been lifted by engaging in counselling
• Understand their thought, feelings, and actions more
• Feeling safe, and comfortable sharing buried/uncomfortable feelings and sitting with them
• Gain a better understanding of what you want from life and what gives your life meaning, purpose, and value
• Improve their communication skills and establish boundaries.
• Recognizing the strengths and skills they already had, empowered them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
• Have a safe space to be who you want to be and feel what you want to feel, feeling heard and connect with their counsellor.

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