How long are the sessions?

Individual sessions are usually an hour. Couple sessions may be longer. Bookings are by appointment only.

How much is it?

Individual counselling $115.00

Couples counselling $180.00

Payment options are cash, cheque or internet banking.

Once a session is a confirmed booking but is cancelled without at least 24 hours notice, the missed session must be paid for in full. 

Do I need a referral from a doctor?

No you can book directly with me.

How frequently do I come?

Clients usually come weekly and as they progress may extend out to fortnightly or monthly. I have clients who having achieved their initial goals may want to catch up at a later time as some new challenge may have come up for them.

What hours are you available?

I work 9am to 5:30pm Tuesday to Friday with some flexibility.

How long does counselling take?

It varies depending on what the client wants to work on and what the clients’ goals are from counselling. The goal is to have the client feel and see changes from the first session. Sometimes taking a decision to take that first step to see someone will have you feeling more in control. Everyone is different and some clients will achieve their goals in a few sessions some longer. You are the one who will be able to judge how it is going for you and how long you wish to engage in counselling.

It’s a big step for me what will happen the first session?

Most people while wanting to making changes in their lives find it daunting and sometimes not easy to make that first appointment. Maybe you’re unsure about whether counselling is for you. The first session we will get to know each other and how I could help you resolve whatever is troubling you.

What kind of counselling do you do?

I use a range of counselling therapies and how we work together is determined by what I feel would most benefit my individual clients. I integrate different counselling techniques together such as Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), Solution Focused Therapy and Acceptance Committment Therapy (ACT).

I feel counsellors should work alongside clients to help them identify what they want from therapy and how they might achieve it and I feel working in this way I can provide a flexible practice that respects and honours that clients are all different and different approaches will help them get what they want from counselling.

What if I don’t like it or it doesn’t help?

Good counselling needs a safe, confidential and trusting relationship. If I feel there is an agency or a colleague out there that would better suit your needs I would have no hesitation in helping you connect with them.

I am committed to an ethical and professional practice and I work in accordance to the New Zealand Association of Counsellors Code of Ethics. Any concerns you have can be addresses by the NZAC Ethics Committee and Complaints Process which you can access at www.nzac.org.nz.

Is everything we talk about confidential?

Hamilton is a small city and it is important to clients that they are assured what is shared privately stays confidential. I will explain the steps taken to assure this with the work we do and what my obligations are under the Code of Ethics of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. This code is very clear on my role and confidentiality and you can read this code online at www.nzac.org.nz. The only exception to this confidentiality under this code is if I believe there is a real threat to your safety or the safety of someone else.

How do I book an appointment?

You can go to my contact page and either phone, text or email me and I will get back to you as soon as I can. If I am with a client and unable to answer the phone please leave a message with your contact details and when you would prefer me to contact you. Any messages will be treated as confidential and if when I ring back it is not convenient to speak I will call back later. If someone else answers the phone I will try later rather than leave a message.