Counselling with Pam
I am passionate about my career as a counsellor and take the work I do with you very seriously. You can expect from me unconditional positive regard.
I am aware of the importance of creating a safe, warm and comfortable atmosphere where you feel at ease talking. If that means over a cup of tea/coffee, then I’m all for that.
I have a gentle, empathetic and curious counselling style where I seek to understand the complexities of what you are telling me, without jumping to assumptions.
I am aware of the importance of creating a safe, warm and comfortable atmosphere where you feel at ease talking. If that means over a cup of tea/coffee, then I’m all for that.
I have a gentle, empathetic and curious counselling style where I seek to understand the complexities of what you are telling me, without jumping to assumptions.
Hearing You
I will spend time exploring your understanding of the problem/s that brings you to counselling and while you may have been diagnosed as having a psychological disorder, I am more interested in your account of your problem.
I hold the view that you are the expert in your own life and of your problem, but if this isn’t the case, together we can explore what the problem/s may be. |
I will explore with you the impact of your problem on the important aspects of your life as well as attend to the emotional impact.
I will take time and go at your pace and discuss what you want to talk about. I will check in with from time to time to ensure we are talking and exploring the things you want to talk about.
I will listen to what you say and what you don’t say, as sometimes what you don’t say can be more important than what you do say.
I will take time and go at your pace and discuss what you want to talk about. I will check in with from time to time to ensure we are talking and exploring the things you want to talk about.
I will listen to what you say and what you don’t say, as sometimes what you don’t say can be more important than what you do say.
A Shared Agreement
Counselling is very much a shared communication process. There is a mutual agreement entered into where we commit to boundaries and establish expectations. It's also important that you know at the outset exactly what you should expect from the counselling process, and me as your counsellor.
To bring transparency and clarity to our relationship, I have created client agreements for three important types of counselling. Just click on the button below if they relate to the area of counselling you are looking for.
To bring transparency and clarity to our relationship, I have created client agreements for three important types of counselling. Just click on the button below if they relate to the area of counselling you are looking for.
My Style and Modalities
My style of counselling is conversational, but not in the way you may have a chat to your friend.
My responses are mostly intentional and underpinned by sound theory, to help you reclaim your life back from the problem.
I have been formally trained from a Narrative framework which is widely accepted as a very respectful approach which takes into account the very uniqueness of each person, their family culture, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual preference, social privilege, and the taken for granted societal ideas that impact on them.
While this is my overarching framework, I also use many ideas and concepts from:
My responses are mostly intentional and underpinned by sound theory, to help you reclaim your life back from the problem.
I have been formally trained from a Narrative framework which is widely accepted as a very respectful approach which takes into account the very uniqueness of each person, their family culture, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual preference, social privilege, and the taken for granted societal ideas that impact on them.
While this is my overarching framework, I also use many ideas and concepts from:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Solution Focussed Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Emotional Focused Therapy
- Gestalt Therapy
- Interactive Drawing Therapy
- Figurine Therapy
- Maori models of practice such as Te Whare Tapa Wha and Te Wheke.
Tailoring My Approach To You
Once I have formed a good relationship with you, I attempt to tailor my therapeutic approach to your needs. Doing this requires years of experience which some therapists describe as more of an art than a science. I can offer you fifteen years of experience at having refined the art of therapy.
While I have had plenty of experience working with all the usual problems that people bring to counselling, I do have a special interest in working with people experiencing:
While I have had plenty of experience working with all the usual problems that people bring to counselling, I do have a special interest in working with people experiencing:
- Eating difficulties
- Depression and anxiety
- Parents/caregivers experiencing mild to moderate behavioural problems with their children, who are looking for behavioural interventions.