Steffi Richter – Psychotherapist

Kia ora and welcome, my name is Steffi.

You will find a caring, accepting, and thoughtful space with a genuine interest in who you are. It is important to me to understand your struggles with empathy while appreciating your strengths. Each person is unique, and I adapt my therapeutic approach to meet your individual needs.

Some people seek my help with the understanding that a longer commitment to psychotherapy is needed for deep and lasting change. Others seek support with a specific issue, which can often be resolved in a shorter time.

Issues I work with

I support people with a wide range of concerns, including:

• Depression and demoralisation

• Meaning and purpose

• Life-threatening illness (terminal, chronic, curable)

• Anxiety

• Loss and grief

• Life transitions

• Personal growth

• Relationship issues

• Childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect

I have years of experience working with people who received a life threatening diagnosis, like cancer, with people who are terminally or chronically ill, with their loved ones, and with people experiencing loss and bereavement.

I have a special interest in existential concerns, such as meaning and purpose, hopelessness and demoralisation, spiritual and religious disillusionment, and philosophical questions. These existential concerns might not only arise with illness, but they can also be experienced by anyone who struggles with the effects of major life impacts, like a disability, social injustice, traumatic loss, or childhood trauma.

How psychotherapy helps

Much of our emotional wellbeing is shaped by early life experiences. These experiences form unconscious patterns that influence how we see ourselves, relate to others, manage emotions, and cope with life’s challenges. In adulthood, these patterns can show up as persistent difficulties in relationships, struggles with self-worth, anxiety, existential distress, or feeling stuck in unhelpful cycles. Because they are often outside of our conscious awareness, they can be hard to identify and shift on our own. Psychotherapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space to bring these patterns into awareness—opening the door to meaningful insight, emotional healing, and lasting change.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” — Carl Jung

The therapeutic relationship is unlike any other. It’s a space for deep personal reflection, held by a trained and compassionate listener. Psychotherapy has the potential to transform one’s life, and witnessing those transformations in my clients moves me deeply. At its heart, this work is about helping you find peace—within yourself, your relationships, and your life story.

What working together might look like

We would explore your experiences together at a pace that feels right for you. This includes your present struggles as well as the broader context—your history, relationships, and ways of relating to the world. Whether we work short- or long-term depends on your needs and goals.

Beginning therapy

Feel free to reach out with any questions or to arrange an initial session. I’m happy to offer a free 15-minute phone call, so you can ask questions, share a bit about what brings you here, and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit.