My Story

KIA ORA and KONNICHIWA! My whānau come from Fletcher &

    MacPherson clans in Scotland and England, coming to Aotearoa  

   / New Zealand in the mid 1800's, with my grandparents' four

main family lines being Fletcher and Parsons, Bullin and Gandar. 

I worked as a carpenter in my first profession, whilst involved in voluntary youth and young adults' work when I was aged 15-31. Whilst acquiring further training, I have enjoyed working in therapeutic, supervision, educational and crisis response roles, in private practice 2006-2010, then clinically leading an EAP employee assistance program 2010-2021. I lectured in counselling at Laidlaw College from 2021-2023, whilst finishing my Master of Counselling. Then returned to my private Consultancy two days/week since February 2024.

COUNSELLING TRADESMEN or other PROFESSIONAL MEN remains one of my most rewarding activities. I also enjoy a variety of EAP or EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM work, as it can involve all aspects of wellbeing, including COUPLES THERAPY - which is a privilege to facilitate. I work in Employee Wellbeing at Workplace Support ​on Thursdays and Fridays.

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Having had my own challenges in all dimensions of life over the years, I pursue HOLISTIC WELLBEING improvement with individuals, couples, families and workplaces - towards societal wellbeing. My Masters' research on young men's emotional skills was for MEN TO BECOME MORE EMOTIONALLY LITERATE, RELATIONALLY CAPABLE and TRULY SUCCESSFUL. For me, Christ-centred spirituality is the crux of all this, therefore I see people as naturally relational, of priceless worth and with divinely built in purpose, potential and responsibility to contribute beneficially to their families, workplaces and communities.  

Having been widowed at 44 years of age, I single parented my

teenage sons for two years. I've been newly married for 4 years

with Tomomi, from Japan. Our dog is a cavoodle named Emi.              

I have a heart for those navigating the difficult terrain of mid-life

widowhood, grief, loss, trauma or stuckness. I know from experience there is hope for healing, growth and new opportunities, even amidst troubled times. 

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My COUNSELLING integrates solution focused, narrative, and person centred approaches, with cognitive behavioural elements, relating with clients and their hopes for progress and well-being. Mindful body awareness is key to this. Hence PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION is one of my career passions. 

I have worked therapeutically for 20 years with men, women, leaders, managers, owners, employees, couples, families and youth to use their strengths to survive crises, conquer challenges, and achieve their goals.

I look forward to working with you in Professional Supervision, General Counselling, Couple Therapy or Tradesmen's Counselling soon.