Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between psychotherapy, psychology and counselling?
Both psychotherapy and psychology offer mental health support but differ in their focus and approach.
Psychotherapy: emphasizes emotional healing through in-depth exploration of feelings, relationships, and past experiences. It is typically a longer-term, talking-based therapy aimed at understanding deep-rooted emotional patterns or unresolved trauma. Psychotherapists do not prescribe medication or do intellectual testing.
Psychology: particularly clinical psychology, focuses on the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, offering structured, evidence-based treatments like Cognitive BehaviouralTherapy (CBT). Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat specific mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
Counselling: Counsellors tend to work with every day here and now issues helping clients find solutions to their difficulties. Counselling is useful to assist you to have someone to talk over a variety of options with.
Who do you work with?
I primarily work with children, adolescents, individual adults, couples or families. who are experiencing anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, relationship problems, family problems, communication difficulties, life transitions, workplace issues, and trauma. (I am an ACC registered Supplier and Provider).
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not need a referral.
To self-refer, arrange an appointment or to discuss whether therapy might be helpful you can either phone, email or use the ‘contact me’ page.
If you cannot get a hold of me, please leave a message or send me an email, and I will respond as soon as possible.
When are you available?
I am currently available in Wellington CBD on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some Fridays from 12.00-6.00, and in Kapiti on Thursdays from 12.00-5.00. I am available on Mondays and Fridays online.
How long are the sessions and how much do they cost?
The first appointment is for one hour and all other appointments approximately 50 minutes except for couple sessions which are 90 minutes long.
Individual appointments are $155 GST inclusive and Couple appointments $225.00.
ACC funded appointments are free.
What types of therapy do you practice?
I am qualified as a Psychotherapist and am a Transactional Analyst, (ITAA). I am qualified as an Imago Therapist (Imago International) and have completed the Advanced Training with the Couples Institute (USA). I am qualified as a DBT therapist.
In my work I use Transactional Analysis, Person Cantered Counselling, Trauma recovery practices, some CBT, Emotional Freedom Technique, EMDR, Imago Relationship Therapy, and some Emotionally Focused Therapy. I am also interested in using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
With children I use Play Therapy and Narrative Therapy.
I have 36 years’ experience as a Family Therapist.
I am an Internationally Trained Yoga teacher and am in the process of completing Yoga Therapy Training.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you need is an individualised decision and depends on what you are wanting help with, the severity of the issue, and your individual goals. This can vary from 1-3sessions for a brief intervention, 6-12 sessions for short-term therapy, or 20+ sessions for long-term therapy (or anywhere in between).
I usually work with people on a weekly basis to start with and then later, on a fortnightly basis; however, this is something we can decide on together.
During the first session, we will agree on an initial plan and estimated number of sessions based on the information gathered. We will then regularly review our progress across our sessions together to make sure we are working together effectively to meet your goals.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my session?
If you need to cancel, change or reschedule our appointment please give at least 24 hours’ notice so that the appointment can be offered to another client.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged at the full cost of the session fee.
Please note: Monday appointments must be cancelled by the same time on the prior Friday, and the same applies for 24 hour (business hours) notice during holidays or holiday periods.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Your privacy and confidentiality is important. As registered health professionals, Psychotherapists adhere to the rules and principles of the Privacy Act 1993, Health Information Privacy Code (1994), and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
What we talk about in our sessions is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else without your consent. Exceptions to this is if I think you or another person is at risk or if I am required to do so by a court of law. Psychotherapists are required to have what is called Supervision from another Practitioner on a regular basis. In this they talk about their work. However, only first names are used with the Clinical Supervisor.
How do I make an appointment?
To make an appointment, email me or fill in the contact form on the website, stating where you would like to see me (in Wellington or Raumati or online) and what the main issue is. E.g. Communication problems.
How do I make a claim through ACC?
If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse, and you wish to make a claim through ACC, you can just contact me through the above channels, and I will assist you to do this. You don’t have to wait for ACC to process your claim, you can start working on the process straight away.
What are my rights as a patient?
The New Zealand Code of Consumer Rights clarifies general expectations for those making use of a health or disability service. We are committed to providing fit-for-purpose, safe, and ethical services to patients. Our service offering reflects a strong adherence to the Code of Rights and the Privacy Act 2020. For more information visit: https://www.hdc.org.nz/your-rights/the-code-and-your-rights/
The Health Information Privacy Code 2020 sets specific rules for agencies in the health sector which covers health information collected, used, held, and disclosed by health agencies. For more information visit: https://www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-act-2020/codes-of-practice/hipc2020/
To protect your privacy as a patient, the Privacy Act 2020 has been created to make sure that your information is collected and used properly. For more information visit: https://www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-act-2020/privacy-act-2020/
What do I do if I have a complaint?
Refer to our Complaints Process Document link here.
What do I do in an emergency?
I am unable to provide emergency support or a crisis service.
If you or someone you know is in crisis please contact Te Haika (Mental Health Contact Centre) on 0800 745 477. For immediate support, call the emergency services on 111.
Other helpful contacts are listed below:
Need to talk: Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or Free text 4357
(HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samartians: 0800 726 666
Depression and Anxiety Helpline: 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
Youthline: 0800 376 633, Free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz