Working together
Counselling starts with a conversation.
As we begin working together, we’ll explore what has brought you to counselling, the support you’re looking for, and the goals or changes you hope to work towards, at a pace that feels right for you.
A gentle shift
A change is rarely sudden — more often it’s a slow unfolding, one realisation at a time.
My approach to counselling is about creating space to notice those shifts, meet yourself with kindness and find meaning in the patterns you’re ready to move beyond. Together, we work toward sustainable change — from the inside out.
What to expect
In my central Wellington counselling space, I aim to create a calm, grounded environment with soft lighting, sensory supports, and the option of a warm drink or a glass of water.
For some people, particularly when anxiety is present, having a drink or holding a fidget toy or even a crystal can help the nervous system settle and perhaps feel a little more at ease.
Our whakaaetanga
As we begin our journey together, we take time to connect through whanaungatanga*, building a relationship grounded in mutual respect, trust, and care.
Together, we’ll co-create our Whakaaetanga*: a shared understanding of how we will work alongside each other. This ensures we are both clear on privacy, confidentiality, and what safety looks like for us both as we navigate the process together.
*Whanaungatanga speaks to the process of connecting and building relationships, while *Whakaaetanga refers to the shared understanding and mutual agreement co-created from that foundation.
A useful place to start
Before beginning counselling, I offer a free introductory conversation by phone or in person. It’s an opportunity to talk about what you’re looking for, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether I’m the right counsellor for you.
Session options
There’s no single pace for counselling. Sessions can ebb and flow, pause for a while, or begin again when you’re ready. Support can be shaped around what you need and where you are at the time.
Appointment fees
$150 per counselling session, GST inclusive.
Payment
Sessions are invoiced at the end of each appointment. Payment can be made by cash, internet banking or securely online via Stripe (credit/debit card).
Funded pathways
Alongside private counselling, I offer funded counselling through ACC Sensitive Claims and Victim Support. These pathways can help you access ongoing counselling and therapeutic support without needing to fund every session yourself.
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.
Southern Cross Wellness Partners (formerly Raise Services)
If your employer uses Raise as your EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) provider, or if you hold health insurance with Southern Cross Health Insurance, you may be eligible to access funded counselling sessions.
Please contact Raise directly on 0800 735 343 or visit raisementalhealth.co.nz to confirm your coverage before getting started.
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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Feel free to reach out to check my current availability.
From there, we can arrange a brief, informal phone call. This initial chat gives us a chance to discuss what you’re looking for, answer any questions, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
If we're both happy to move forward, we can either:
Book a complimentary 30-minute introductory meeting (in person or online) to meet each other and sense if the space feels right, or
Go straight ahead and schedule our first full session.
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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