About Fionna

My passion is in working with people. I  place great importance on people really knowing who they are and what they value. It is both my pleasure and a privilege, to work alongside clients as they develop meaningful communication skills to relate respectfully. It is my belief that all people have the potential and right to live fulfilling lives, and enjoy harmonious relationships.

Holistic approach

My specific areas of expertise include relationship work with couples and working with individuals living with issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse and grief. I offer clients an holistic approach. This includes consideration of my clients; current environment, culture, language, health and physical ability, emotional and mental health, sexuality, beliefs, spirituality, lifestyle, and life stage.

Compassion for People

You will find I am a skillful profressional with a warm and deep compassion for people. I work in a way that is calming, supportive and nonjudgmental which provides safety. I have strong personal values of honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. You have my guarantee of complete confidentiality, respect, and support of your individual circumstances.  I work with a high level of professionalism to guide you on your journey of self-exploration.

Professional Counselling

Registered: New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC www.nzac.org.nz); Registered: Imago Relationship Therapist with advanced training and experience. Along with other formal qualifications and professional memberships, I also offer a range of counselling approaches that are woven into my work. These approaches are provided in response to couples and individuals specific needs. For more about my qualifications Read More.

In order to offer the best practice to my clients, I am fully committed to ongoing personal and professional development. This includes clinical supervision, keeping up to date with new developments in research, and attending professional development  trainings to refrfesh and acquire new skills, new tools and the most advanced knowledge to apply in my work.

Background

My experience in counselling includes voluntary work for several community organisations such as Lifeline Christchurch as a telephone counsellor, tutor, clinical support worker, a group supervisor as well as a clinical supervisor.

Prior to my work in private practice; I worked in a family oriented community counselling agency. There I enjoyed working with people from many different cultures and backgrounds who felt safe and supported in sharing their stories from challenge to change. This experience was a privilege in witnessing their resilience, courage and intelligence in facing their life challenges.

My agricultural experience and understanding of farming has given me business management skills, experience working with others as part of a team, managing risks, and responding to nature's whims. Added to that, farming brings many challenging experiences in living with nature's cycle of life and the reality of what can and cannot be controlled or changed.

My husband and I have two adult children. I enjoy having people around, walking our two dogs, reading, music, travel and especially my work.