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.

Don Rowlands- Family Therapist

Don Rowlands- Family Therapist

MA. Med [in Counselling]; Cert. in Mental Health; Member of NZAC

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.

Cate Walton

MCouns, NZRN, MN, Provisional 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., Provisional 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.

Fea Salkeld

Fea Salkeld

Bcoun, Provisional Member NZAC

Fea is passionate about supporting and working alongside people, creating a warm non-judgemental therapeutic environment as they navigate life's difficulties. She has felt grateful to have worked in a mental health and addiction service and believes in empowering people to connect with their own inner wisdom, to equip people with strategies and self-understanding toward a greater sense of strength and freedom. She uses a mix of modalities including creative, somatic and parts work on a foundation of person-centred therapy depending on what fits for the individual.

Sarah Grigg

Sarah Grigg

Postgrad CBT Student UC

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.

Dominque Yong

Dominque Yong

On Placement

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 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

On Placement

I am currently in my 3rd 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.

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.

Sara Doherty

Sara Doherty

BA psychology & English, PGDip with distinction (Counselling and Guidance)

Sara is in her final year of a Master of Counselling Studies (MCounsStud) through Massey University, having previously studied a BA psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance). Training in pluralism, she draws from a range of counselling modalities including Person Centred, Gestalt and ACT and includes indigenous wellbeing models such as Te Whare Tapa Whā in her approach. Sara has been working with youth for the past 3 years and enjoys creating a space in which clients can be empowered to enhance their own mana.

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.