Born a southern girl, I was blessed to grow up on my parents’ 20 acre lifestyle block, just north of Invercargill. During my youth, I was hugely devoted to my chosen sport, ice-skating, going on to win various national titles and representing New Zealand many times internationally.

I moved to Canterbury after the end of my competitive skating career and worked as a professional ice-skating coach. Following that, I worked in the social service sector – mostly in community mental health – until training to become a counsellor.

I have been in private counselling practice now for thirteen years and consider it a privilege to be invited into peoples’ lives, just for a season, while they need support.

I have a deep interest in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and where our personal histories fit within this story. In counselling terms, I believe for us to live and relate well today, we need to acknowledge and validate our personal histories and our stories, so we can move more freely into our futures, being all we can be.

I have a Bachelor of Counselling in Person-Centred Counselling (PCC) and have trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals and couples. I am registered with – and a full member of – the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), working within their code of ethics. I am a registered ACC Sensitive Claims treatment provider, and can work with people who qualify for the Disability Allowance through Work and Income.

I am passionate about helping adults (18+ individuals or couples) to live and relate well, and have a lot of experience working cross-culturally with people who come from ethnicities other than my own, which is Pākehā.

I work from a relational, holistic perspective, which includes spirituality when this is relevant to my clients. I provide confidential counselling support for a wide range of issues such as grief and loss, trauma, mental illness, addictions, personal distress, relationship distress, parenting and family issues, workplace difficulties, life transitions, and aging.

Fees

My private practice fee range is $110-$126.50 incl. gst per one hour session. ACC Sensitive Claims counselling is fully funded by ACC. Work & Income Disability Allowance counselling is subsidised, the amount varies depending on the frequency of counselling appointments.

Location

I operate my private practice from Whitecliffs in the Selwyn District of Rural Canterbury, servicing the rural communities connected to Darfield, Methven and beyond.