Christchurch Counselling Support
Whatever challenges you are facing, we all need support. But reaching out for support takes courage, and willingness to work hard to create change in your life. When you are ready to make that step, we are here to provide support through counselling.
Your counsellor can help you find tools that might help you navigate the challenges you are dealing with. They are someone unbiased, who may help you understand another perspective, or help you better understand yourself and what may be underlying the problems you experience. They can provide both support and accountability as you work together through challenges, and work toward any goals you may have.
At Te Whare Awhero, all our counsellors are qualified and professionally registered. We have provided not-for-profit counselling services in South-West Christchurch for more than 30 years, as part of our overarching purpose of building hope in our community.
You can read more about our counsellors, their backgrounds and philosophies in their profiles below.
Meet Our Counsellors
Mala is a third-generation Singaporean, having migrated to New Zealand 18 years ago. Being born in Singapore, experiencing and immersing herself in the multi-cultural society means that Mala can speak 6 languages.
Mala works with both children and adults and is able to support across a wide range of issues & topics. Striving to create a comfortable and safe space for anyone who comes into a session, she holds building trust and connection as top priorities.
Mala is trained in person-centred, narrative therapy and Internal Family Systems.
Outside of work, Mala enjoys spending time with friends and family, singing, camping, tramping and creating new recipes which taste great!
Mala G. - Counselling Coordinator - B. Couns, MNZCCA
Esther cares about people and is passionate about creating trusted meaningful relationships where people can be comfortable to be themselves. She knows that life can be hard and having someone there to listen and provide accompaniment and support through challenges can make all the difference.
Esther works as a Person Centred counsellor, which means that she knows that her client is the expert in their own lives - her aim is to work alongside people to help them move towards a place of peace and personal fulfilment.
Esther welcomes all LGBTQIA+ people, and also has a special interest in Neurodiversity.
Esther is married, and has young adult children. In her spare time, she likes to connect with friends, sing and dance around the kitchen, laugh, read, meditate, have deep and meaningful conversations and generally squeeze as much out of life as possible.
Esther S. (she/her) - B. Couns, Provisional NZCCA
Shannon is a senior counsellor at Te Whare Awhero and holds a Bachelor in Counselling and a BA in English . She has spent 19 years in youth work.
She counsels adults and families with person-centred therapy and narrative therapy. She counsels couples with emotionally focused therapy.
Her passion is to see people find their turangawaewae or a place to stand: to connect, be empowered, and to belong to a community.
Shannon is married with three children and loves going on holiday with her family to Hanmer Springs. Outside of work, she spends her time reading and attending photo workshops.
Shannon H. - BA and B. Couns, MNZCCA
Heather believes we are all unique and precious individuals that long to feel safe, validated, loved and understood in our relationships with ourselves, our whānau, our friends, and our community. She uses a person centred and narrative approach in providing a safe space where clients are invited to work collaboratively through the difficult experiences that we can all face in life in seeking to promote restoration and positive change.
Heather holds a Bachelor of Counselling from Laidlaw College and a Pastoral Care Certificate from Mind Health. She holds a Teacher Aid Certificate and was trained as a Play Centre Co-ordinator (ECE). She is working towards a Post Grad in Child Centred Play Therapy, focusing on trauma, attachment and the evidence-based benefits of play.
Heather has three grown adult children and in her spare time likes to walk, garden, read and spend time with family.
Heather A. - B. Couns, MNZCCA
Dion comes from a professional background in business-to-business sales. He naturally enjoys connecting with new people and having deep philosophical conversations about life and our collective search for meaning.
After overcoming many personal challenges in his own life Dion is now passionate about helping others and providing hope in their time of need.
Dion holds a bachelor in counselling and is trained in the person-centred and narrative therapy counselling approaches. He remains focused on establishing achievable goals with his clients to help them experience and manifest positive change in their life.
Outside of work Dion enjoys spending time with his two children and partner, going to his kids weekend sports, going to the gym, running and occasionally trying to cook a meal.
DION P. - B.COUNS, Provisional NZAC
Sarah is our offsite school-based counsellor at Christchurch Adventist School.
She has previously worked as a Registered Nurse with over ten years of experience.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys relaxing with family and friends, walking the dog, and playing the ukulele.
Sarah W. - B. Nursing, Dip. Couns, MNZCCA - School Counsellor
Jeffery is a Taiwanese living in NZ for 30 years. He is in his third year as a counselling student trained in Person Centred Counselling.
Jeffery believes in walking alongside the client with empathy & compassion as they make discoveries about themselves. Jeffery is also passionate about raising awareness of mental health to the Asian communities.
Outside counselling, Jeffery is a keen photographer, he loves playing music and chasing after his three year old.
Jeffery W. - Counselling Intern
Jacinta is a Masters of Counselling intern through the University of Canterbury.
Jacinta works with children, youth and adults with a range of challenges and is passionate about creating a comfortable, inclusive and trusting space where the client is the expert.
Jacinta has worked as a Social Worker for the last 7 years and uses solution-focused brief therapy with training in motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Jacinta was raised in Nelson and lives in Christchurch with her two, very crazy, Australian Shepherd dogs and husband. Jacinta enjoys long-distance running, adventure sports (skiing, tramping, mountain biking), spending time with friends and creating some primo desserts.
Jacinta - Counselling Intern
Fleur is a 3rd year counselling student at Laidlaw College.
She has a background in hairdressing and also in different ministry settings within The Salvation Army.
In her spare time, Fleur loves spending time with her husband and 4 children, as well as drinking coffee and listening to the waves out at Sumner Beach.
Fleur C. - Counselling Intern
How can counselling help?
Through counselling, we can provide tools and support to help you through personal challenges, including anger, stress and burnout, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, fear, guilt or shame, self-esteem and body image, trauma or PTSD, and thoughts of self harm or suicide.
We can provide support navigating relationships, including those with parents, children or teens, in the workplace, or within wider social settings. We can provide couples counselling or individual support navigating intimate relationships, including support through a separation or divorce.
We can support you through challenging events in life, including grief and loss, trauma, medical or health challenges, pregnancy or post-natal depression, parenting, relationship breakdowns, social issues, workplace challenges, or navigating significant changes in your life.
Some challenges may require support beyond the scope of what we can provide, or outside the expertise of your counsellor. In that case, we help to connect you with a person or service that can help.