I welcome adults from all walks of life and diverse cultures, working one-to-one. As we work together I’ll encourage you to draw on your life experience, finding ways to access your strengths and enhance your ability to live a full and satisfying life.
My private practice is at Aoraki Therapy Centre, 14 Butler Street, Timaru Central. The counselling room is cozy and comfortable. Please note: there are steep stairs to reach the therapy centre.
Counselling sessions give you space to:
Person-centred counselling is my main approach and what I think is special about this way of working is the core belief that you, the client, knows best what it’s like to be you, and you will ultimately discover a way forward. In our sessions together we build and maintain a therapeutic connection, so that you experience a sense of trust and understanding. The aim is to empower you to access your wisdom and recover self-direction. I also utilise Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is mindfulness based CBT, and other modalities depending on your need and focus.
Sliding scale, based on individual client’s financial circumstances.
Free for ACC Sensitive Claims.
- Diploma in Counselling & Family Therapy (Human Development & Training Institute, 2012)
- Certificate in Social Services (counselling prerequisites, 2007, MIT)
- Certificate Counselling Theory (2006, Massey University)
- Full Member, Registered with NZ Association of Counsellors (MNZAC)
- ACC Registered Counsellor
I have worked with a culturally diverse range of people including Maori, Pakeha, Fijian-Indian, South African, Chinese, Japanese, German and Chilean.
Cultural Awareness Training:
• Inter-Cultural Competence – Facilitated workshop (2021) – Selwyn Community College
• Working Effectively with Maori & Working with Trauma: Using Maori/tikanga based models – Facilitated workshops (2021) – Manuera Life Development Services Ltd
• Dynamics of Whanaungatanga – Online facilitated training (2020) - Kawei Ltd
• Workshops in Maori tikanga & Treaty of Waitangi with Oranga Tamariki (2020)
• Counselling Across cultures and The Maori Client (2011) with HD&T.
• Wairua Tikanga Awareness and Treaty of Waitangi (2007) with MIT.
- Appointments: Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please enquire about current availability.
- Appointments are in person. Zoom appointments can be arranged for established clients if unable to attend in person.
• Usually 3-6 sessions, then we assess how things are progressing and decide together if further therapy is necessary. Longer term work is usually necessary for deeper issues, e.g. trauma, grief, and relationship issues.
• Sessions are 50 minutes in duration.
• Referral to other professionals if appropriate.
24 hours notice of cancellation is required, however individual circumstances will be taken into consideration.
• You and I develop a shared understanding of the issue or problem that you bring to counselling, negotiating a way to work together towards a resolution.
• Together we discover new ways of viewing the issue in order to find a way forward.
• Positive action and change can take place with support and encouragement.