Kia ora, nau mai, haere mai. Hello, and welcome.
Life can be fraught with difficulty, and rich with wonder. It’s brief, and precious. In this moment, do you have a sense of where your next step will take you? Towards the life you want to build, and who you want to be — or away from it?
Being human means that we all get pulled away at times (most of us often), and without meaning to. It’s not our fault; and for some this may be a way of staying safe in a world that hasn’t been kind.
With support, you can learn different, skilful ways to meet the emotions, thoughts, patterns and habits that pull you into difficulty — freeing you to shape a life that feels more you; intentional, alive, joyful. Therapy offers a space to explore what you’re struggling with, what’s going well, and what, deep in your heart, you want your life to be about.
A little about me
My homeland is South Africa. Following a long chapter in Australia, my life and work are now in Taranaki, Aotearoa (New Zealand). I practise with respect for tangata whenua and the land that holds this work.
I’m Catharina, a New Zealand registered counselling psychologist, with nearly 30 years in this mahi and ongoing, extensive training.
My approach
I offer compassionate, trauma-sensitive Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for health challenges, stress, anxiety, depression, life transitions and grief and loss. I have a deep confidence in possibility, hope and every person’s innate capacity to heal and grow.
Working together
All appointments are currently offered via telehealth (phone or secure video). The fee is $170 per session. A referral is not required to access private psychology sessions, although I accept a range of referrals.
In the near future, I’ll also be offering walk-and-talk therapy and in-person counselling in New Plymouth. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to email me or sign up for the newsletter below to be kept informed.
I prefer rainy days and dramatic skies to heat and sunshine, and don’t do too well with small talk. A few of my favourite things ~ walking in New Plymouth’s breath-taking nature with my husband and golden retriever, spending time with our 3 children (all grown up), reading and big mugs of tea.
A next step
If it feels like counselling may be helpful, you’re welcome to get in touch via email, text or call,
026 686 5609
New clients can book a free 15 minute korero (chat) - a starting point to ask questions, talk things through and see if this might be the right step for you.
Ellies are known to gather when one of the herd is struggling, to help and support. I sometimes say to clients, “it’s time to gather your elephants”. Your outside elephants may be the whānau and people who lift you up and make you feel stronger; your inner elephants may be the strengths and qualities you muster from within, to see you though difficult times.
