Harmony Counselling Service

I was born in central west Queensland, Australia and have lived much of my life in most states of Australia. After visiting the beautiful country of New Zealand on holiday in 2014, my husband and I moved here shortly afterwards with our pet cats.

After exploring New Zealand, living in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, we have chosen to finally settle in Christchurch City, enjoying its climate, vibrancy, and diversity. 

In my career, I have accrued an extensive and vast range of experience in various clinical medical backgrounds, having worked as a nurse for most of my life as well as serving in the military in the medical core.

Since moving to New Zealand, I have worked in the specialty areas of both family violence and sexual violence with clients who have been harmed as well as clients who have caused the harm.

I also trained as a Restorative Justice Practitioner and Facilitator with speciality endorsements gained in both family violence and sexual violence. 

I maintain current memberships with the following professional bodies; 

• Provisional New Zealand Association Counsellors (NZAC)
• Level 4 Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
• Affiliate membership with Social Service Providers Aotearoa

I now work in my private practice, Harmony Counselling Service with a consulting room to see clients at 50 Croziers Road in St Albans, Christchurch. 

You may choose to include my therapy pets ('Hamish' and 'Molly' the cats or 'Maggie' the Poochon dog) into your therapy sessions. The utilisation of Animal Assisted Therapy, can enhance your overall comfort and engagement with the counselling process itself and thus the gains you obtain.

Additionally you may wish to practice the simple skill of 'mindfulness' on your arrival, during the session and departure by simply noticing the chirping wild birds or clucking from the free range rescue pet chickens feeding on bird seed and foraging in the beautiful surrounds of the colourful flower garden, accompanied by the gentle sounds of the water fountain and wind chimes.

As an ACC Approved Provider for Sensitive Claims, you can access fully funded ACC counselling with me due to sexual harm you have experienced in New Zealand (and in certain circumstances while overseas). I can lodge the claim on your behalf so you don't need to have contacted ACC beforehand. I will explain the process in our first appointment so you can decide if you would like to continue or not. There are several options you can access including either a set number of short term therapy sessions or sessions provided over a longer term. You can also stop therapy at any time, and resume again in the future as you need the support. Don't worry...Not everyone one wants to talk in detail of the sexual harm they have experienced which is completely okay - I will support you to work on the issues that are impacting you now, that you feel are important for you in moving forward with your life positively.  

I am able to offer a set number of free sessions if you are an employee and eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counselling with Benestar, EAP Works, Instep, and Stratos through your employer. 

I can also offer a set number of fully funded sessions if you have been impacted by being a  victim of a serious crime or natural disaster, via a Victim Support Victim Assistance Scheme (VAS) referral.

As an accepted counsellor with the Cerebral Palsy Society, Cerebral Palsy clients can access a set number of funded sessions through the voucher system they provide as payment.

As an accepted counsellor with the Child Cancer Foundation, eligible families with a child who has been diagnosed of cancer can receive a set number of sessions fully funded.

I can also provide subsidised sessions for eligible WINZ clients, low income earners or students.

Feel free to call me to discuss your particular needs and book an appointment to get started on making the changes to your life that you desire.