Nau mai haere mai! Welcome!

Thank you for taking the step to engage in counselling. Informed consent means you understand what counselling involves, what your rights are, and what my responsibilities are as your counsellor, so you can make an informed decision about whether this support is right for you.

What Counselling Is

Counselling is one form of support that involves working together in a safe, confidential space to explore issues, challenges, thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour. Counselling is used as a tool — not an identity — to support understanding, clarity, and direction. My role is to guide, support, and facilitate, not to give advice or “fix” you. You remain in control of what is shared, the pace we work at, and the direction we take. The aim is to help you make sense of what’s going on and decide what, if anything, you want to do next.

You may choose to complete a Client Intake Form prior to your session, or we can complete this together before the session begins.

My Approach

I work from an eclectic style, drawing on a wide range of tools and approaches shaped by over 30 years of training and lived experience. I am open, honest, and transparent, with the focus always on you, what matters to you, and what you want to work toward. I maintain a safe, respectful, and professional space, and I work with clear boundaries. If any potential conflicts of interest arise, they are addressed openly and respectfully, so the integrity of the work and the space is always protected.

Your Rights & Confidentiality

• To be treated with respect, dignity, and care

• To ask questions, decline any aspect of the process, or withdraw at any stage.

• What you share is confidential, except in rare circumstances where safety or law requires me to act.

• Brief session notes may be kept securely, and you may request access to these under the Privacy Act 2020.

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.

A full Informed Consent Agreement will be provided and signed at your first session.

We look forward to seeing you at your first appointment. You can ask any questions when we meet.

Ngā mihi nui

Informed Consent Agreement

Making you aware of how I operate. Keeping you informed. Your right to know.