I am passionate about connecting with people. From a  20 year background in social service and social justice, I made the decision to re-orient toward personal therapeutic work and began my counsellor training in 2003 – A shift of focus from serving and making the outer world a better place – to the transformation of our inner worlds.

Following graduation with merit in 2005 (Otago Polytechnic Diploma in Counselling Level 6) I worked at Relationships Aotearoa (RA, formerly Marriage Guidance, then Relationship Services), for 10 years, alongside building my private practise.

• Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapist, (EFT Core Skills 2), working towards Certification, Advanced Practitioner status.
• Approved Victim Support Counsellor
• Clinician for Vitae, National provider of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Counselling
• Currently serving as Secretary, Otago Branch NZAC Committee
• Clinician at Stopping Violence Dunedin

Counselling Experience

Couples, relationships, and family / whanau

*Marriage and relationship distress, disconnection, affairs, sexual issues. At RA, * previously Family Court, then preparatory counselling for Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), (communication, mediation and parenting plans); * family distress and conflict;  * the impact of separation and re-partnering (blended families) on all family / whanau members; * any issues that impact on families / couples.

EAP and Workplace Support * supervision; * work performance issues; * restructuring; * workplace dynamics, conflict and bullying; * health, family or personal issues which impact on ability to work.

Trauma counselling; * RA was the national coordinator and provider of telephone and face to face counselling for Christchurch earthquake survivors; * working with victims of sexual abuse, rape, and family of origin backgrounds of violence,  (A&D,  abuse or other dysfunction); * loss of loved ones by accident, death, homicide or suicide.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Addiction * These are at the forefront of a wide range of clients self-presenting  and co-existing issues. Also; * family and life changes; * sex, sexuality, and gender identity; * grief and loss; * cultural displacement and identity; * mental heath/illness & disability, * ageing and illness.

Domestic Violence * long-term recovery with victims of sustained abusive relationships. * Understanding and managing anger; At RA, * Protected Persons and Applicant and Respondent Programmes, (now Nonviolence Programmes); * Police Diversion, Judge ordered and community sentences counselling;