I prefer to work with clients who are funded through the providers listed above. If you would like to work with me but are unsure of your funding options, get in touch with me via email. I have limited availability for clients who are self-funded.

A great question! The cost of counselling can seem pretty high. The cost of a session includes the time spent directly with me, note-writing after the session (a legal requirement), planning for future sessions, background reading and professional development that I may need to do to provide you with the best support possible, business overheads and professional registration, and my own regular external sessions with a qualified supervisor. I limit the number of clients I see in a week so that I am able to provide the best possible service to clients.

Beginning to work with a counsellor can be difficult. I offer a free 15-minute online or phone introductory session which will not include therapeutic counselling but give us the opportunity to meet and get to know each other so you can make sure I feel like the right counsellor for you. If we’re not, that’s fine! I’m happy to refer you on to someone else who might better meet your needs.

I live and work in Ōamaru, a small town! I do not discuss my clients with anyone outside of supervision. If you see me in public, you are welcome to intiate contact with me but I will not disclose how I know you or initiate contact with you. If I seem offhand with you outside of our sessions, please don’t take it personally! My main aim is to maintain your privacy and keep our working relationship safe.

I am a strong believer that everyone is the expert in their own life. My role is give you the space to explore your experiences and offer a fresh perspective on things that are distressing you. I am queer, sex and body positive, neurodivergent and work on being as culturally safe as I can be. I strive to uphold Te Tiriti wherever possible and recognise the importance of society and culture on mental health and wellbeing.

I am happy to work with you to make counselling accessible. My practice space is wheelchair-accessible, and you are welcome to bring a support person or interpreter. You are also welcome to bring a fidget toy, comfort item, or other stimming object that will help you in the session. Vaping and smoking are not permitted in my physical practice space though you are welcome to if we are working remotely. If you would like me to not engage in eye contact, or sit in a certain space, you are welcome to request this. I do not wear any strong aftershave or similar.

I am fully vaccinated for Covid 19. I take RAT tests regularly and I am happy to do one on request before in person sessions. I have surgical masks and hand sanitiser available, and I am happy to wear a mask. I have a HEPA filter in the space.

If we are working remotely you are welcome to have your camera on or off, and request the same from me. If you need to move around in the session, or take a break, these can also be accommodated. I also offer text-based counselling over Signal.

I use Cliniko for remote sessions, however if you require closed captions we can use Google Meet. You are welcome to record our sessions (please let me know first!), take notes, or whatever else will help you get the most out of our work together.

I am member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, and follow the NZAC Code of Ethics, which prioritises client safety and confidentiality. I keep all client notes offline, and in a locked cabinet that only I have access to.

My practice space has other people working in it during the day, and there is a receptionist. There is also a waiting area. For clients under the age of 18, if we are meeting at my practice space after hours then a parent/caregiver must remain in the waiting area during our session.

For remote video clients, I use Cliniko as this offers a secure connection and a range of accessibility options. For text-based clients I use Signal, which is encrypted.

I am police vetted and hold a VCA Core Worker’s certificate, meaning I have been cleared to work with children. I carry professional indemnity insurance.

The majority of my work is done between 9 and 4pm. I value time with my family and try to keep working outside of school hours to a minimum. If you would really like to work with me but need support outside office hours, get in touch via email to discuss.

I am a Rogerian therapist, which means that I follow person-centered and collaborative models of counselling. I believe that the counselling relationship is the most important factor in therapy.

I am trained in trauma-focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and structured trauma therapy.

If you’re sick or isolating, you’re welcome to request we move our session online. If you’re unable to make your appointment then please give me as much notice as you can. If you’re finding that you’re reluctant to come along, let me know how you’re feeling and we’ll work on a solution together.

I do not discuss clients on any social media (or anywhere else outside of formal supervision!), and will not engage with any clients on social media for their own comfort and safety.

I am an advocate and human being outside of my professional work and it would be incongruent for me to pretend otherwise. I am very clear about my values and politics online as I am throughout my life.

For private clients, I invoice after the session through HNRY. You must pay for the previous session before your next one. If you’re in difficulty around payment, let me know sooner rather than later and we can work something out! Please let me know if you are invoicing to another organisation at the time of booking.

If you do not show up for an appointment or cancel without a valid reason within 12 hours, the fee will not be refunded unless in an emergency.

Counselling is an intense profession and I make sure to balance my contact work with clients with other activities and interests. I limit the number of clients I see so that I can give each my full attention.

I receive regular professional and cultural supervision, which offers advice and guidance on how to improve my practice. Any cases discussed within supervision do not involve identifying details.

Provisional membership of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors 2023

Bachelor in Applied Counselling - Manukau Institute of Technology 2022

Professional training in disputes resolution and peer supervision - Ministry of Education 2018

Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning - Mindlab/Unitec 2015

Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education- University of London 2006

Bachelors in Marine and Freshwater Biology- University of Glasgow 2004

The client-counsellor relationship is the most important factor in counselling being successful. If for any reason you feel like we have finished our work together, or that it’s no longer working for you, you are welcome to end our sessions.

If there’s something that doesn’t feel right that you want to work out with me, then it can be a really useful exercise to work through any conflict together.