Having had a career in the social services field for over 25 years, I continue to be passionate and committed- believing therapy can transform the way we view and treat ourselves and others. I strongly believe each person who commits to achieving change and growth, has the potential to transform their life and positively impact those around them.

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I first qualified as a counsellor in 1999. During and following this training I specialised in working with young people and their families for over 12 years within a multi disciplinary team of health professionals. This role included providing counselling, facilitating and developing group-work programs.

 

As well as working in various community-based roles, I established my private counselling practice in 2004.

 

I spent time in Brisbane in 2014, employed in a multidisciplinary team to provide phone based assessments, treatment planning and counselling for an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Provider.

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In 2019, I co-founded the Kāpiti EMDR & Therapy Centre, kapitiemdr.co.nz

with two colleagues. We each have our own private practice and also work as a team to provide the EMDR Groupwork programme we have developed and have funded by ACC, for survivors of sexual abuse. We also run groups for people who have experienced a recent traumatic event. 

 

I aim to provide a professional and supportive approach and am influenced by my life experiences, values, clinical experience and training. I am highly committed to practicing in a culturally sensitive, ethical and effective way.

 

My approach is strength-based and I draw from a broad range of counselling and psychotherapy approaches such as; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (C.B.T), Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT), Narrative Therapy, Family Therapy, Parent-Child Therapy (Attachment Based), Trauma and Abuse Therapy and Brain- Based therapy. 

 

I work in a person- centered manner and aim to provide clients with a safe, non-judgmental therapy space where you can experience respect for you, your values, your beliefs, your uniqueness and your right to self- determination.

 

I aim to understand the cultural and socio-political context in which you live and how these factors affect the presenting ‘problem’. This includes awareness and assessment of social and cultural influences such as age, development, (dis)ability, religion, cultural identity, indigenous identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality and gender. Professional psychotherapists and counsellors value such differences and avoid discrimination on the basis of these aspects of identity.

 

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