Counsellors are great listeners, but we don’t have mind-reading superpowers! We can’t tell what you’re thinking but we can do our best to follow what you’re communicating whether that be through speech or body language. That’s why your honesty and openness are key to making progress. It’s all about working together, with you guiding the conversation and your counsellor asking the right questions to help you explore your thoughts and feelings. So, don’t worry about hiding anything—just bring your true self, and we’ll be there to help you make sense of it all!

In New Zealand, anyone can technically call themselves a counsellor, but it’s important to find someone with the right training. Proper qualifications help ensure your vulnerabilities are respected and that you receive the support you deserve. Choosing a trained professional means you can feel confident that you're in safe hands, with someone equipped to hold space for you during this journey.

Counsellors are not trained to diagnose mental health conditions—that’s the role of a psychologist, psychiatrist, or doctor. While counsellors can help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, they focus on providing support, coping strategies, and personal growth. If a diagnosis is needed, we’ll work with you to find the right professional to help with that.

Counselling can be unpredictable because emotions and insights don’t always follow a set plan. Each session can bring up unexpected feelings, new perspectives, or even surprising breakthroughs. You might not always know where the conversation will lead, and that's part of the process. It’s about exploring your thoughts and feelings at your own pace, and sometimes the most meaningful moments come when you least expect them. If at any time you aren’t finding the direction of the conversation helpful, you are welcome to let that be known - we won’t be offended!

This can be hard work! Counselling takes energy and commitment, but it’s also a journey of growth and self-discovery. It’s about showing up for yourself, being open to new insights, and working through challenges at your own pace. While it can feel draining at times, it’s all part of the process of building a stronger, healthier you. Though there will be a lot of work happening in session, it also entails being open to thinking about things outside of the therapeutic space and applying methods if necessary.

Counsellors don’t tell clients what their problems are or how to fix them because we believe you are the expert on your own life. Instead of offering solutions, counselling can guide you through self-reflection, helping you explore your thoughts, feelings, and options. The goal is to empower you to find your own answers and build the skills to navigate challenges, so that the solutions you discover are personal, meaningful, and lasting.

Unfortunately there usually isn’t a quick and easy fix! Counselling can feel a bit uncomfortable at times, and that’s totally normal! It’s not easy to dig into tough feelings or face things you’ve been avoiding. But think of it like a workout for your mind—sometimes it’s a little awkward, even painful, but it helps you build emotional strength and resilience. The discomfort is often where the growth happens, a good counsellor will support you in this discomfort and ensure you feel safe.