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

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

I am currently working towards my Bachelor of Counselling degree in Person Centred Counselling, in my second year. At Petersgate I enjoy working alongside my clients in a therapeutic partnership, to help clients realize their potential to live "the good life" through engaging their inner voice, acknowledging their autonomy, empowering them to find their own authentic way of being in their world, according to their needs, values, and beliefs.

Don is an experienced Counsellor who has worked for: the Home and Family Society; Relationship Services, EAP and the Family Court. He is married with five adult children and grandchildren. He has facilitated groups for couples, separation, step parents, grief and Triple P Parenting. Don enjoys Chaplaincy, learning Te Reo, films and fishing.

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 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.

Raesha is trained in SFBT and integrates her practice with Internal Family Systems. She has a passion for culturally responsive counselling. As a NZ born Muslim she is able to support clients from other cultural backgrounds with compassion and understanding. She also specialises in pornography addiction, sexual trauma and betrayal trauma due to internet infidelity. Raesha has 18 years of experience in education as a primary teacher, tertiary health educator and teacher trainer. Overall holistic health and well-being is a significant part of her work.

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.

John uses a Solution-Focused approach to counselling, paired with his philosophical curiosity. He seeks to explore with his clients what difficulties they are facing, their hopes for what differences they will experience after counselling, and together consider the possibilities that exist for making small changes to bring about those differences. He is an avid gamer, football fan, and used to run a computer repair business. He plays indoor football and squash. He is passionate about working with people managing anxiety and depression, as well as supporting fellow gamers that want to find a better balance between the many benefits of gaming and moving towards the future they desire.

I am working toward a degree in Person-Centred Counselling. I feel passionate about supporting clients with empathy, working alongside them as they navigate life's difficulties or struggles by creating a warm and safe therapeutic relationship. I have enjoyed working in a mental health and addiction service and have interests in meditation and qigong. I believe in empowering people to connect with their own inner wisdom, assisted by a non-judgmental therapeutic environment.

I have a background in nursing and community support work in mental health. My aim is to journey with my clients in a trusting, empathetic and non-judgmental way. I believe in providing a safe environment of acceptance in which each client can explore their difficulties and be empowered to trust their own wisdom to bring change and hope in their lives. I use person-centred and narrative therapies to facilitate this change and new hope in the whole person. I have an interest in anxiety, depression, grief and relationship issues.

Sarah is a 2nd-year student studying a post-graduate Diploma of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) at the University of Canterbury. She is passionate about helping others to regain confidence in themselves and work collaboratively on a journey together to build a stronger pathway forward. Identifying and developing life skills in a safe non-judgmental and empathetic environment. As a registered physiotherapist, Sarah has experience working with young people, disabilities, anxiety, and pain management.

I am currently in my third year of studies, working towards a Bachelor of counselling degree. I am passionate about providing a collaborative, warm, empathetic, non-judgemental, safe and fun environment in which my clients can feel relaxed, heard and supported to explore whatever challenges they are currently facing. Using person-centred and narrative therapies as a foundation, I extend upon this foundation to offer creative approaches where suitable. I firmly believe that individuals are the experts in their own lives and feel honoured to be part of that journey to finding their true inner selves. Ngā mihi nui

Dominique is currently working towards her Bachelor of Counselling. She works with a Person-Centered approach and is passionate in working with clients to provide a safe and warm environment for clients to navigate life's challenges. Dominique believes in empowering individuals to connect with their inner wisdom and self. 

Tessa is currently completing her final year of study towards a Bachelor of Counselling, and is trained in person-centred and narrative modalities. Her counselling approach seeks to deeply hear and understand people and their stories, working with warmth, acceptance, and curiosity. She enjoys journeying with people to uncover hope, healing, and growth through the challenges of life, and is passionate about exploring how healthy relationships and mindfulness can affect wellbeing. She works alongside people from all walks of life and also has experience working with high-school students.

I am currently working toward a degree in Person-Centred Counselling. I will offer a compassionate, empathetic space for clients where they will be heard and accepted unconditionally. I believe that within a trusting relationship, the client will feel comfortable in sharing their feelings and I look forward to journeying alongside the client as they begin to trust themselves, gain empowerment and enhanced wellbeing.

I am currently in my 3^rd year of studying at Laidlaw College towards my B. Counselling degree. I am now in my second year on placement at Petersgate where I am using mainly person-centred and narrative therapies in my approach with clients. I believe it is  important to provide a place where my clients feel valued, listened to and supported, in this way enabling them 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.

Beth is currently in her final year of a Master of Counselling through Canterbury University. She uses a solution-focused (SFBT) approach along with acceptance and commitment (ACT) practices, working together with clients in a warm, relaxed environment.

She has a background working as a registered midwife, and in spare time enjoys adventuring with her family and dog or creating new flavours of ice cream.

Beth has interests in anxiety, depression, youth, and women's wellbeing including postnatal support and pregnancy loss.

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.