Phone: 343-3391 Fax: 343-2934

29 Yaldhurst Road, Sockburn, Christchurch

PO Box 6088, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8442

Our Counsellors

Petersgate tertiary trained counsellors are carefully selected and subject to professional standards of training, ongoing supervision and annual performance reviews.

All our counsellors have full membership of NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors), NZCCA (New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association) or equivalent professional body or are working towards full membership through courses of study and placements with appropriate service providers.

Mike Baker - Clinical Manager

Mike Baker - Clinical Manager

DipMH(Dist), BD, MSc (Hons), PhD, Registered Psychologist

Mike has a background in pastoral ministry, military chaplaincy and working in social services. As a psychologist he has worked in addictions and has interests in grief, depression, anxiety, sexuality, supervision and mindfulness. His training includes Person-Centered counselling and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Annekatrien Verbraak

Annekatrien Verbraak

BA (Social Work), MSc (Psychology), MEd (Counselling), MNZAC

Annekatrien enjoys the process of clients discovering who they are meant to be. She uses her understanding of psychology as well as various counselling methods with a base of Solution-Focused Therapy in her sessions.

Darryn Hickling

Darryn Hickling

BTheol, Dip. Counselling (Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors), BCouns, Full Member of New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association (MNZCCA) ​

Darryn studied Person Centred and Narrative Therapy at Laidlaw College and has completed a course in Emotionally Focused Therapy (for couples). He sojourns with children (13+) and adults, with particular interests in relationship issues, grief, loss, depression and anxiety.

Erwin Horvath

Erwin Horvath

B.Couns., Dipl. Teach., MNZAC

I see my role in supporting you through distressing times, and help you make informed and healthy decisions about yourself, your relationships and your future. I work with past trauma and its impact on today’s life, anxiety and depression, and feel passionate about relationships or parenting issues.

I provide a non-judgmental and safe environment, where we can explore issues, chosen by the client. The models I use in individual work are Narrative Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy. I often provide clients with psychological maps out of the Pattern System to help them orientate on their journey.

I also offer Couples Counselling, where I work in line with the Developmental Model, helping clients with practical guidelines that they can apply in challenging situations.

Jeff Hofland

Jeff Hofland

B.Couns, Member of NZAC

Jeff uses a Person-Centred approach. He is passionate about working alongside and gently empowering people. He has a particular interest in counselling individuals grappling with grief and loss, depression, parenting and life/work balance.

Melanie Armstrong

Melanie Armstrong

B. Couns. Dip Nursing, Provisional Member of NZAC

Melanie offers a safe, nurturing space by attending to the relationship. She uses a Person-Centred approach and walks alongside clients in a gentle and compassionate way. She has a particular interest in working with issues around grief, loss, depression and offers mindfulness skills.

Nancy Wu

Nancy Wu

MEd (Cert.Counselling), MEd, B.A. (Hons) English, Dip TESOL, DipEd, Full Member of NZAC

Nancy has trained in the solution-focused approach, and works from a person-centred and holistic framework. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, uses creative therapeutic modalities and draws from life experiences. She sees her work as journeying alongside those whose lives have been disrupted by change, dislocation, grief, loss, disempowerment, and painful memories.

Westerly Le Breton

Westerly Le Breton

NZCA membership, Diploma in Business Management.

Tena Koe, I am Westerly Le Breton, a provisional member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors holding a bachelor’s degree in Person Centred Counselling.

I work exclusively supporting adult wahine/female bodied people with their reproductive health, pain syndromes, fertility challenges, menopause, and the emotional, relational, and behavioural challenges which often coincide, and touch every aspect of life.

I work gently, applying a developmental and trauma informed lens, working with scientifically proven methods, that deliver increased awareness of brain/body/nervous system responses. I provide educational resources to support you during, and outside of session. I am culturally aware, and I hold space for your values, principles, beliefs, and spirituality.

My goal is to support you to live your life with a deeper sense of inner body wisdom, and peace. We can work together on a specific problem for short term intervention, or a long-term therapeutic alliance as we navigate your challenges.

Much warmth to you, ka nui te mahana ki a koe.

Cate Walton

MCouns, NZRN, MN, Member NZAC, Accredited 5-Step Method Practitioner

For me counselling is about discovering the life you want to live.  It's not about finding the problems, its about finding what works and doing more of it.

I believe that every person has worth and value and this is reflected in my work.

If you are looking for a place to be heard and a place where your experiences are accepted and respected, then you're welcome.

Lesley Smith

BMS, B. Couns., Member NZAC

Lesley provides a warm, safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment for clients to work through the difficulties they are facing. Grounded in the person-centred approach Lesley believes that change is possible when clients feel heard and accepted. Lesley attends to the whole person (body, mind and spirit) and enjoys using creative therapies with clients where appropriate.

Yvonne Chow

BSc (Hons), MSSc, MSc (Dist), PhD, Registered Psychologist

Yvonne is a registered psychologist in NZ and UK. Her training includes counselling, psychology and neuroscience. Her counselling work is grounded in Person-Centered foundation which appreciates the growth of an individual. Yvonne is interested in doing individual emotional-behavioral counselling, marital counselling, family therapy and parenting psychoeducation. Her Asian background enables her to communication with people who speak Cantonese and Mandarin.

Tessa Holland

Tessa Holland

Bachelor of Counselling, Provisional Member of NZAC

Tessa works using a relational and trauma-informed approach to counselling, seeking to provide a safe space for exploration, healing, and growth. Her focus is on working with people to understand their unique self and life experiences, and creating space for people to explore new ways forward. She is currently a provisional member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.

Jill Green

Bachelor of Counselling, Provisional Member of NZAC

I believe it is  important to provide a place where my clients feel valued, listened to and supported. Using person-centred and narrative therapies as a basis in my counselling sessions I endeavour to enable my clients to explore their life stories and understand how what has happened and is happening to them affects the way they understand and see themselves, helping them to trust in the wisdom and strengths which they have within themselves to reach their full potential.

Donna Drummond

Donna Drummond

Referral Coordinator

As the Referral Coordinator with Petersgate Counselling Centre I am usually the first person who contacts each new client seeking counselling.

My role is to then advise the client of Petersgate’s services, processes and procedures, answer any questions, negotiate with the client the appropriate counselling fee, assess the urgency of the clients situation, match the client with the most appropriate counsellor and then arrange the earliest possible counselling appointment.

Nelida Pennington

Nelida Pennington

NZRN, PG Dip Ed., BD, IFS Level 2

Tēnā koe e hoa,

Having been a registered nurse working in mental health for over 25 years, I am now pursuing my Masters in Counselling degree through Massey University. I was introduced to a beautifully compassionate counselling modality a few years ago, Internal Family Systems, which has initiated this new direction. I am trained to Level 2 in this modality which works holistically, acknowledging the importance of taha wairua/spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. I also work from an ADHD lens, having been diagnosed with this only last year.

Peter Lochead

Peter Lochead

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Peter is training in Person-centred counselling and Narrative therapy through Laidlaw College. He values empathy and understanding each person's story. Peter seeks to get alongside each client and journeying with them for as long as they need in order to help them find their bearings and get back on track with their life.

Caroline Sewell

Caroline Sewell

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Kia ora, I’m Caroline. I am currently working towards a Master of Counselling in Solution Focused therapy, with additional training in ACT. I also have a Post Graduate Diploma in Child and Family psychology.

I believe that people are the experts in their own lives and counselling creates an environment that is accepting, empowering and safe, so that with the support of a counsellor they can work at building the mental, spiritual and physical life they want.

I work alongside children, adolescents and adults from a wide variety of backgrounds, and have experience supporting people facing challenges with attachment, behaviour, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss. I love the outdoors and feel blessed to live in beautiful Aotearoa.

Sasha Johnson

Sasha Johnson

Bachelor of Counselling

Sasha grounds her practice in Person-Centred therapy and Narrative therapy, seeing the client as the expert of their life and experiences. Her gentle approach is non-judgemental, empathetic and genuine. Outside of counselling Sasha is a lover of books, crafts and casual gaming.

Carolyn Cooke

Carolyn Cooke

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I am a second year student, training towards my Bachelor in Counselling, using the Person Centred Approach. Journeying with my client towards inner peace and acceptance in all areas and aspects of their lives is my passion.  Allowing them to be their true selves in the safety of the counselling room, and supporting them every step of the way.

Bede Byers

Bede Byers

2nd year PGDipCBT, MSc (Psychology), BSc (Hons) (Psychology)

Bede is in his second year of Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at the University of Canterbury. He practises in the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and brings knowledge and experience from his study in Psychology and more than 5 years working and volunteering in mental health roles. Bede prefers to work in a collaborative manner, helping clients to empower themselves to address nearly any type of difficulty they are experiencing in a scientifically-supported way.

Michella Brosnahan

Michella Brosnahan

On Placement

I am in my final year of a Bachelor in Counselling degree, and a student affiliate member with NZAC and NZCCA. Originally from Singapore, a multi-cultural country, I bring with me a vast and varied life experience, having raised 3 children in New Zealand and now a grandmother. Still learning and growing, I am passionate about supporting people as they experience life’s difficulties, offering them a safe and non-judgmental space to be heard and understood, and to help them make sense of their world.

Janet Allan

B Ed, Dip Teaching, Dip Counselling MNZAC

Life can be difficult, and when this is so, it is important to have relationships that support us to navigate our path. I work in a person-centred way, knowing the client is the expert in their life. Together we find the resources to return to, the joy and wholeness in one’s life. Developing and strengthening relationships in communities is a passion and I’m an advanced trainee in group work. Working with couples is also a focus and something I continue to expand and enjoy.

Robyn Thomas

Robyn Thomas

BHSc (Psychology), PGDip HSc (endorsed in Health Behaviour Change)

Tēnā koe, I’m Robyn and I extend a warm welcome to you. I am currently navigating the final year of my Bachelor of Counselling degree and am student-affiliated with NZAC. I find immense joy in supporting individuals on their distinctive journeys.

Embracing a person-centred approach, I believe in a collaborative approach to developing a genuine connection with the individual, who is the expert in their own narrative. Our foundation is built from a safe, empowering space where trust, acceptance and non-judgmental support can flourish. I will journey alongside you, supporting your needs.

My experience is working with adults and adolescents (over 16), to assist those facing various challenges, including attachment issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties.

Jane Song

Jane Song

On Placement

My name is Jane Song, and I am a third-year counselling student at Laidlaw College. During my second year's placement, I practised Person-centred therapy and Narrative therapy. I strongly believe in respecting individual opinions and decisions, acknowledging that everyone is the expert in their own life. My passion lies in supporting my clients and helping them navigate a better way to achieve their goals.

Victoria Barkway

Victoria Barkway

DipEd. Student Affiliate NZCCA

I've always been fascinated by the intricacies of human emotions, behaviours  and relationships. My path to counselling wasn’t a straight line - it's been more like a winding road with plenty of twists and turns. 

I have been a relationship coach in the workplace for over 20 years and my own counselling experiences have instilled in me a profound appreciation for the transformative potential of counselling to facilitate personal growth, healing, and self-discovery. 

I am a mother of 2 grown up boys. When I'm not working, you can find me hiking in nature, spending time with my family, going to the movies or catching up with friends.

Kathryn Wilson

Kathryn Wilson

On Placement
Kia ora. My name is Kathryn and I am a third-year counseling student at Laidlaw. I am passionate about employing a person-centered counseling approach, which fosters a safe, non-judgmental space that embraces diversity and inclusiveness. 
 
My focus is on assisting individuals to navigate their current life challenges by collaboratively identifying and taking steps that align most with their preferred way of living, both with themselves and within their community.
Of interest is working with individuals, of various ages, particularly those 18 years old and older, around relationship or identity issues, anxiety, attachment, depression, trauma, stress, grief, and loss. 
Miriam Poh

Miriam Poh

On Placement
Kia Ora! My name is Miriam, and I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and History, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling. I am currently in the final year of my Master's in Counselling at Canterbury University where they specialise in Solution-Focused counseling. I believe in a Person-Centered approach and have further training in ACT.
 
My Kaupapa is grounded in core values that include: Kindness, Honesty, Authenticity, Curiosity, and Compassion. I know that clients know themselves better than anyone else, and therefore my goal is to work collaboratively with them to uncover their path to a preferred future.