Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Law
• Diploma of Adult Psychotherapy. ANZAP
• Certificate in Counselling
• Certificate in Social Work

• Registered Psychotherapist
• Member of New Zealand Association of Counsellors
• Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists
• EAP

Accreditations:

• ACC Accredited

Although I completed a law degree I quite quickly realised that I really enjoyed working with people- that law and office work were not for me. I worked as a probation officer for a long time, completing both social work and counselling training before coming into private practice. It has been good life experience to equip me as a psychotherapist.
Psychotherapy is a two person interaction of client and therapist, and it is the quality of that therapeutic relationship that is the key healing factor in therapy. I encourage any new client to have a few sessions with me before committing to therapy- so that we both have the space to see if we can do this work together, that we feel positive about making that commitment. I really enjoy working with a diverse range of people.
During my training I was particularly fascinated by the research from neuroscience and psychotherapy which can show the positive changes within the brain and its activity that come from the client’s experience of the particular relatedness within the psychology of self. It is likely to be similar to the development that occurs when a child has a strong relatedness with a parent and the growth that then occurs. Research from USA and Australia really confirms the value of this work.
Comments such as “get over it’ “think positively” or “time will heal” are so often heard in today’s society. They are unhelpful when you are dealing with persistent emotional issues that crop up again and again and keep affecting our lives. Some difficulties have deep-seated origins that require more consideration than just putting on a happy face.
Those moments when the true self starts to emerge are wonderful. It seems to me that one’s true self is in there all the time - buried but still trying to sing and be heard. When the client is able to acknowledge that song from within – those are the stunning moments of therapy when it is wonderful to be alongside someone in their journey.
For many people psychotherapy may be one of the most valuable personal investments they will make in their lives.