Qualifications
I have a Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapist and an Applied Grief Studies Certificate (see below under 'About Me' for more information or this page). I am a full member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, the professional body for counsellors in New Zealand.
Appointment Times
Appointment times available with me until Thursday 1 March are:
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Mondays & Wednesdays: 2.00pm, 3.00pm & 4.00pm
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 4.00pm, 5.00pm & 6.00pm
- On the second Saturday of each month: 1.00pm, 2.00pm & 3.00pm
Appointment time change from Tuesday 6 March 2012From Tuesday 6 March 2012, I will be offering the same amount of appointments over three days, rather than four days.
Appointment times available from Tuesday 6 March 2012 are:
- Wednesdays: 2.00pm, 3.00pm & 4.00pm
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3.00pm, 4.00pm, 5.00pm & 6.00pm
- On the second Saturday of each month: 1.00pm, 2.00pm & 3.00pm
For client feedback, click here. For links to other professionals and resources, click here.
Click here to see current bookings.
Information about the counselling process with Suzi
About Me: I trained for seven years at HD&T Institute in Auckland, completing my Diploma of
Counselling & Family Therapy & Applied Grief Studies Certificate
in December 2005. I began working with clients in 2002 and have now completed over 2,000 hours working with clients. I am
comfortable working with couples, individuals and adult families (young
adults from age 16 upwards). I have training, experience
and/or interest in systemic family therapy, transactional analysis,
attachment theory, human development, conflict resolution, communication
skills, life balance, anxiety & depression, the process of grief
& grieving, suicide awareness, sexual orientation & gender
issues, values & spirituality, mind/body/spirit connections, law of
attraction, living life consciously and Reiki.
One of my 'mantras' is "I am where I am and it's ok". I don't believe that assigning blame is helpful in creating healing. Understanding ourselves is helpful and sometimes making a good guess at understanding others (where we're not able to check in with them) can also be useful. Sometimes we will never know the 'whole picture' of what has happened in a particular situation and accepting the 'not knowing' can bring great peace.
My practice: I promise to listen to your story and experiences, and work with you to achieve your desired goals at a pace that is comfortable for you. My personal belief is that we experience the darkness in our lives on the way to appreciating the light. Sometimes we get stuck in the dark times and need assistance to shift forward once again. I would describe my practice as "holistic" - you have many elements to you including mind, body and spirit - all need to be attended to for true healing to occur. I am willing to work with whichever aspects you are comfortable exploring.
Honesty: I will endeavour to make the counselling room a place where you can safely be authentic and honest. The best outcomes are reached when everyone is truthful. If they are not, changes cannot occur and everyone’s time is wasted.
First appointment: Our first session enables us to learn a little about each other and contract to work together towards your desired goals. If I am not the right counsellor for you, we will discuss this and we can make alternative arrangements.
Notes: I take brief notes about what has been discussed and agreed. These notes are kept in a locked cabinet. If you have any questions about what I’m writing during a session, please ask.
Confidentiality: I offer you complete confidentiality unless you give me permission to share anything we have discussed with another person. The only exceptions to this are:
- As a professional counsellor, I am required to attend supervision regularly (see below under 'supervision').
- If I believe you or someone else may be at serious risk of harm (where possible, I will discuss this with you first).
Supervision: All practising counsellors in New Zealand are required to attend supervision. This means talking to an experienced counsellor about our client work to ensure that we are clear on our motivations, our own processes and that both the clients and ourselves are kept safe. My supervisor is bound by the same ethics and confidentiality as me. I talk about my clients in such a way that they can’t be identified.
Fees: Your investment is $90 per session for up to two people and $100 for three or more people. Please make payment at the beginning of the session by cash or cheque. If you wish to pay by credit or debit card, please use the link near the bottom of this page 24 hours before your session - you will notice that the cost is slightly higher to cover the fees incurred. If you want to pay by online banking, please pay into 12 3014 0097943 00 at least 24 hours before your appointment. If the fee is not affordable for you, there are several community agencies that are able to subsidise their fees. I offer EAP counselling through Stratos and Vitae. If your employer has an EAP programme, check whether they use Stratos, Vitae or EAP Works and you may be able to see me. I am also a Family Court accredited counsellor - couples may be eligible for six free counselling sessions. Check out this page for more information.
Timekeeping: Each counselling session is 50 minutes long. It is up to both the counsellor and client/s to manage the time. If there is an exceptional circumstance and we need to go over time, we can negotiate this. If there is another client waiting, this may not be possible. If one session is not long enough for you to work through what you are wanting to achieve, package deals are available. Click here for more information.
Cancellation or postponement: It is a sign of respect that we both adhere to the time of each appointment. Please provide as much notice as possible for any postponement or cancellation with a call or text. There may be someone in need waiting for an appointment time. By making an appointment with me, you agree that, if you cancel within 24 hours, you will pay a $30 late cancellation fee, except in the case of a genuine emergency (or where I can fill the appointment).
Ethical practice: The New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC www.nzac.org.nz) is the professional body for counsellors in New Zealand. Membership of this organisation ensures that counsellors are accountable for practising ethically and with cultural awareness and respect. Click here for the NZAC Code of Ethics. If there is anything that you are uncomfortable with, I invite you to talk to me. If this is not ok for any reason, I can provide you with my supervisor's contact details.
Out and about: If we come across each other in another setting, I will not approach you (I am happy to be approached by you!) This is to prevent any possible embarrassment for you – if you have company, you may not want the people you are with to know how we met.
Hugs: It is unethical for me to offer a hug in case that makes you uncomfortable or it’s not what you are wanting. However, you are very welcome to ask.
Your responsibilities: If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of an appointment, we will need to reschedule your appointment for another time. The full fee will be charged.
Last appointment: Endings are important – not many of us get an opportunity to do them well. I would like us to take the opportunity to farewell each other when it is time for our work to come to a close. Please let me know (if we haven’t already discussed it) when you feel like you may be wanting to finish and we can make a plan for a final appointment in a way that honours the journey we have taken together.
Location: I see clients in the counselling rooms in the beautiful St Luke Community Centre (130 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland), which is close to the motorway, the Newmarket train station and has plenty of parking. Either drive directly ahead from the driveway or to the left (limited parking on the left).
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