A gentle shift
A change is rarely sudden — more often it’s a slow unfolding, one realisation at a time.
My approach is about creating the space to notice those shifts, to meet yourself with kindness, and to find meaning in the patterns you’re ready to move beyond. Together, we work towards sustainable change — from the inside out.
Working together
Counselling begins with a conversation.
As we start working together, we’ll explore what has brought you here and discuss your goals or hopes for counselling — at a pace that feels right for you.
What to expect
In the Counselling room, I aim to create an environment that feels calm and grounding, with soft lighting, sensory supports, and the option of a warm drink or just a glass of water.
For some people, a drink or holding a fidget toy or crystal helps the nervous system settle and perhaps feel less anxious.
Our whakaaetanga
Before we begin ongoing work, you'll complete our Whakaaetanga* (our shared understanding) and intake form. This ensures we have a shared understanding of safety, boundaries, and what supports a healthy therapeutic process.
*Whakaaetanga refers to a shared understanding and agreement about how we will work together.
In Te ao Māori, Whakaaetanga speaks to mutual respect, clarity, and the spirit of working in partnership.
A useful place to start
Before starting counselling, I offer a free introductory conversation, over the phone or in person, so that you can get a feel for whether I’m the right fit for you.
Session options
There is no single pace you have to follow — support can ebb, flow, pause, and begin again when you’re ready.
Appointment fees
60 mins – $120
Sessions longer than 60 minutes are also possible - prices to be negotiated depending on your request.
Payment
Sessions are invoiced at the end of each appointment, and you’re welcome to pay by cash, internet banking, or Stripe (credit/debit card).
Funded pathways
Counselling you can access directly, at your own pace.
ACC Sensitive claims
I am an approved provider of ACC Sensitive Claims counselling.
Funded counselling is available to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse/harm or assault in New Zealand. It does’t matter if the harm happened recently or a long time ago; the support is there for you when you're ready. There's no right or wrong way or timing to do this.
You don’t need to be referred by a GP or ACC to start exploring support. We can begin the claim process after our first or second meeting.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions or want a general idea of what the next steps might involve.
I’m partnered with an ACC supplier, Creative Arts Therapy. You can find more information about ACC Sensitive Claims on the ACC website.
Manaaki Tangata | Victim Support
I am an approved Counsellor with Manaaki Tangata | Victim Support NZ.
If you have been affected by crime and traumatic events, you might be eligible for Counselling through this funding. Find out more by visiting their website or calling 0800 842 846.
Once you have been approved for Counselling, we can start working together. You can let them know you’d like to see me for Counselling.
If you’d like to meet first before starting counselling, get in touch for a 30 min free introductory meeting over the phone or in person.
Questions you might have
Practical information about sessions, booking, and what to expect along the way.
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I work with people aged 12 and over, from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. What matters most is the connection between us and whether my approach feels right for you. This usually becomes clear in our first conversation or initial meeting.
There may be times when I’m not the best fit, for example, if your needs require specialist training outside my scope. If this comes up, we’ll talk about it openly and kindly, and I’ll support you in finding the right type of help.
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I work in a collaborative, person-centred way, drawing on an integrative blend of trauma-informed practice, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based approaches. We move at your pace — gently exploring patterns, strengthening self-trust, and creating space for new ways of being to emerge.
A lot of my work involves understanding the different ‘parts’ of ourselves that develop through life — including the younger, protective, or adaptive parts that helped us survive difficult experiences. These parts belong, and they often hold important stories. Counselling can help us get to know them with more compassion, understand the roles they've played, and decide which patterns still serve you and which no longer do.
My focus is on safety, curiosity, and respect. Every person's journey is unique, and together we explore what supports you in moving from survival mode toward feeling more present and alive in your life and relationships.
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You're welcome to get in touch by email, call, text, WhatsApp or through the contact form on this website. From there, we’ll arrange a brief phone call or an initial meeting — whichever feels most comfortable — so we can get a sense of whether working together is the right fit for both of us.
This first conversation is also a chance for me to understand what you’re looking for and ensure I'm the right person to support you. If it feels like a good match, we’ll book your first counselling session from there.
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For Self-funding clients, online counselling is an option.
At this stage, for ACC Sensitive Claim clients, Counselling is offered to people in the Wellington region who can engage in person. Once a therapeutic engagement is established, we can have online sessions as needed.
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The first session is a gentle introduction. We’ll talk about what’s brought you here, what you’re hoping for, and what support might be most helpful. You don’t need to share everything at once — we move at a pace that feels grounded and manageable for you.
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What you share in counselling is private. I will not share your information with anyone unless you give explicit permission.
There are only two rare exceptions:
Immediate safety concerns: if there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you or someone else.
Legal requirement: if a court orders specific information to be released.
If either situation ever arises (very rare), I would discuss it with you first, whenever possible, so that we can navigate the next steps together with openness and care.
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When you make an appointment with me, you’re welcome to cancel or reschedule if something changes. Please try to give 48 hours’ notice. If something unexpected comes up, just let me know as soon as you can.
Missed appointments without adequate notice may incur a fee for self-funded clients. For ACC-funded sessions, repeated cancellations may need to be reviewed with the funder. If anything like this ever becomes relevant, we'll talk it through together first.
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Self-funded sessions are invoiced at the end of each appointment. You’re welcome to pay by internet banking, Stripe (credit or debit card, no added fees), or cash at the time of your session.
If you prefer to pay in cash, please bring the exact amount, as I don’t keep change on-site.
ACC sessions do not require you to pay directly. I organise payment directly from ACC based on your eligibility.
If you're working with me through EAP and your allocated sessions end, you're welcome to continue with ongoing self-funded counselling if that feels suitable for you. -
I currently offer individual counselling only. At times, it may be helpful for a partner or family member to join a session if it supports your individual work. If this feels relevant, we can talk together about whether it’s appropriate and aligns with your goals.
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If you have a support animal that helps you feel grounded or safe, you’re welcome to bring them to your session. The building has a relaxed pet policy, and as long as your animal is toilet-trained, friendly, and under control (for example, on a leash) in shared areas, this can be accommodated.
Please let me know ahead of time if you plan to bring a support animal so I can prepare the space and ensure everything runs smoothly.
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No. You can contact me directly — a referral isn’t required.
Note - For ACC, you are welcome to be referred through my supplier, Creative Arts Therapy, or directly through me.
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No. As a counsellor, I am not qualified to provide diagnostic assessments or formal psychological reports. These are typically carried out by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, or some doctors who have specialised training in assessment and diagnosis.
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I am not an emergency or crisis service.
For any mental health crisis, physical health emergency, or immediate safety concern, please refer to the crisis support options listed below.If you are feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or in a life-threatening emergency, please reach out to the appropriate service that can support you now, they are all available 24/7:
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Need to Talk?: Text or call 1737
Emergency: Call 111Mental Health crisis team:
Wellington, Hutt Valley and Kāpiti: 0800 745 477
Wairarapa: 0508 432 432For other local crisis teams, youth services, sexual harm support, family violence support, and mental health services across Aotearoa, please see page 10:
Mental Health Foundation:
National Helplines Directory