About Us

Whanganui Counselling Services is a private, professional, and confidential service based in Whanganui, New Zealand. Established 2025. Built from over 30 years of lived experience and collaboration with like-minded individuals. Proudly supported by an experienced administrator - making sure the practical things flow so the deeper work can happen - and she's got our backs.

Putting everything on the table is a gradual process. It takes time. Whanganui Counselling Services provides the space and environment where you can do that - one thing at a time. We work with you at your pace. Your comfortability is paramount when entering the counselling space. A place where we respect you, self, and the process.

Meet Lenna K. Millar – Professional Counsellor

Welcome to Whanganui Counselling Services

Kia ora! Nau mai ki Whanganui Ratonga Tohutohu! Good on you for taking this step.
Welcoming you is to help you feel more comfortable, informed, and prepared
as we begin our work together in the counselling space - "our space" .

What to Expect

This is a safe, confidential space where you can explore what is going on for you. We work at your pace, and what feels comfortable for you. You don’t have to have it all figured out. There is no right or wrong. This space is here for whatever you need to bring to it. You will be provided with a client intake form to fill out briefly prior to session to obtain basic information that will assist us in working together. All information on this form is treated with the same level of confidentiality and care as is everything we discuss in our sessions.

How We Work

I work in an honest, direct, and practical way - keeping it real and simple, in a caring and conversational space. I don't do clinical or rigid. This is a safe space to focus on what is real, what matters to you, and guiding you in knowing, seeing, and speaking your truth. It's about finding clarity so we can move forward. We are backed by our Admin, who keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes - and is also accessible when needed for the frontline mahi.

I am eclectic in my approach. I adopt an eclectic style of counselling – I lend from many different therapeutic tools and resources to assist my clients. I work in an honest, upfront, and transparent way. The focus is on my client, not me. It’s all about them and what brought them to counselling. I believe in guiding, supporting, facilitating the process, and working in collaboration with my client = mutual respect, and client-empowerment.

Your Rights as a Client

• To be treated with respect, dignity, and care

• To ask questions at any time

• To say “no” to any aspect of the process

• To withdraw from counselling at any stage

• To receive services free from discrimination

• To request access to your personal notes

• To receive clear information about fees and cancellations

• To complain or offer feedback - you will be heard.

Confidentiality
What you share with me stays between us, except in the following circumstances:

• There is a serious risk of harm to self, or others.

• There is disclosure of abuse or neglect of a child, or vulnerable person.

• Court subpoena or lawful authority legally compels me.

• You disclose intent to commit a serious crime, or I become aware of a crime that is being or is about to be committed.

• If you give written consent for information to be shared.
  

If anything like this comes up, I will do my best to discuss it with you first wherever possible.

Record Keeping & Privacy

I take your privacy seriously and do not share your personal information with others. All sessions are confidential. As part of my professional practice, I engage in regular supervision. This is a confidential space where I reflect on my work to ensure I am offering you the best possible support. No personal details are discussed, nothing to identify you. Supervision is about me keeping in touch with myself, and is focused on my development.

Fees & Payment

• Sessions are $100 and have a duration of 60 minutes.

• Payment is due prior to session commencement via online banking. Cash on the day prior to session is accepted. You will be provided with a receipt, and a nil balance invoice will be emailed to you.

• Please give 12 hours’ notice for cancellations.

• We don’t charge a late fee or penalties; we note it and others who are waiting will be given priority when booking.

• If you are experiencing financial hardship, ask about funding options – we may be able to guide you.

Cancellations

Please give at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. We understand the unforeseen may occur. Please advise. Late cancellations, no shows, or no-comms, will result in the session time being offered to someone else who is ready and waiting to attend.

Health & Wellbeing Consideration
To maintain a safe and healthy space for everyone, I kindly ask that clients do not attend in-person sessions if they are experiencing cold, flu-like symptoms, or any contagious illness (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose). If you are feeling unwell, please let me know as soon as possible and we can reschedule your appointment. Please discuss an alternative if you still require a session. Likewise, I will advise if I am unwell.

Complaints & Feedback

If you’re unhappy with any part of our work together, I invite you to speak up. I value and respect that. Knowing what is on your mind and addressing it is important. Alternatively, I would welcome your feedback about the service by way of a testimonial if you chose to. This helps me improve my practice and I believe it will inspire others who are searching for answers.

If you have questions, feel free to contact via phone or email:

Phone: 022 327 8194
Email: whanganuicounselling@xtra.co.nz

Ready to take a first step? - please read Informed Consent Agreement and fill out Client Intake Form

Reviews

“I have known Lenna since 2010, as a work colleague, and later as a close friend and mentor. Life became complicated over the years, and a variety of issues turned up for me. Lenna was always there to talk to. She helped me immensely with guidance through many of those issues – anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, familial relationships, friendships, and life changes - always giving me a side of an issue which helped me to see things clearer and be able to work my way through.

She is a motivator, believes in me, and believes in bringing out the inner strength in me, which sometimes gets lost. She will always have an idea and will ask questions that make me think for myself and be able to reach an answer. She tells it like it is. Her input is invaluable, and I feel very lucky to know her and have her guidance whenever life takes a turn.” – Carole

★★★★★

This is the space where we are privileged to share client feedback regarding the services they have received, and how it has impacted their lives. We are grateful for them and humbled by the entire process. Let it be an encouragement to you, as we extend an invitation to you to leave your feedback.

“Lenna has been assisting me work through issues over the years. In more recent times when facing enormous stress, burnout, relationship issues, boundaries, and self-responsibility – she helped me to understand that my feelings are my responsibility and that someone else’s is theirs. When my brain was foggy, Lenna’s words helped me see clearer! If I was ever angry, she would give it to me raw and real – a real wake up call, moving me closer to my goals to take charge of my own thoughts, feelings, and actions.

I recently had the good fortune of entering Lenna’s new counselling space. I instantly felt calm and very comfortable when I sat down. A very calming space to be in.” - AMM

★★★★★

“I came to Lenna a few years ago with no transcription experience. She took me under her wing and provided me with encouragement, open communication, checklists, clear expectations – with a lot of support, and feedback. I appreciate her forthright, honest, and constructive feedback – which I believe contributed immensely to my professional development as a transcriptionist. She focused on my areas of strengths, also identifying several areas for improvement. She was supportive, understanding, and very patient throughout my training. There were many instances where I did not provide her with quality work, and Lenna used those challenging times as a training opportunity for my growth. I took them as my learning cues.

Lenna’s mentoring and coaching helped me both personally and professionally. It has helped increase my organisational skills, the effectiveness of my listening abilities. My level of editing became more proficient over time. My attention to detail has been honed and improved significantly – an area of weakness that I had to work on consistently. I have improved in a transcription profession and have grown as an individual because of Lenna’s guidance and support. I now work as a quality assurance specialist for an Australian Company, who outsource transcription services. I owe much of that success to Lenna.” - Zoteria Maka

★★★★★

Let’s Talk. No Pressure. You’re Here for a Reason.
No matter your walk of life, no matter your profession, or non-profession,
it matters not – there is room enough for all,
“Yes, and you too”.