Dip. Gestalt Psychotherapy, MNZAC

My counselling training is in Gestalt psychotherapy.  This approach has a strong emphasis on being present in the here-and-now so we can become aware of how our current thoughts, feelings and actions contribute to our situation. My experience is that clear-headed, healthy thinking is the first step to achieve feelings of wellbeing, calmness and satisfaction with life. If we can take a kindly, non-judgemental interest in the habits of our mind, that in itself will help us discover new ways to engage our incredible mind and heart power to change our actions and to influence our life in a positive way.

Before coming to counselling I worked in a variety of occupations – many of which have involved supporting people. I initially trained as a speech-language therapist and worked with preschool and older children and their families in primary and secondary schools around the country. I moved on to work with adults in the hospital system as they recovered from, or learned to live with, illnesses and accidents.

Later I became interested in housing conditions and saw how inadequate, cold and damp housing deeply impacts on people’s health and emotional wellbeing. I worked for several years as part of a team, Community Energy Action, that set up a warm and healthy homes insulation project in Christchurch.

Through my work and life, both here in New Zealand and elsewhere in the Pacific, I have come to appreciate how important it is for every person to feel truly heard and seen in an openhearted way.  This is important for healing because it helps us to see ourselves with love and to become more self-supporting.  In counselling I endeavour to meet people fully, hear their hopes, struggles and triumphs and support them to fully embrace and be true to themselves.