About Me

Life is often hard, and I’ve found it enormously helpful to talk my problems through with someone.

Text or phone me on 02041488887 or email keycounsellingnz@gmail.com

We can talk about relationship problems, anxiety, depression, grief, goals, stress, work, and other issues. I’m an Integrative Counsellor, which means I’m trained in a variety of approaches. We’ll choose the tools that will best fit your needs together. Read more about How I Work With You.

I’m 56 and have personal lived experience of depression, suicidal thoughts, significant mental illness, divorce, job loss, and more. I discovered the benefit of facing my issues and moving on to live a fulfilling life. I’d love to work with you using my experience and training to help you figure out your stuff. Index to my writing.

I also enjoy working with what are usually called “mental disorders”, as I’ve had my share of difficulties here too: e.g., anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma (PTSD). (I use medical language here for clarity, but prefer other ways of talking about these things.)

I follow the NZ Association of Counsellors code of ethics. My supervisor is Paul Jacobson, NZAC.

I earned a Masters degree in sociology, and my unpublished PhD thesis was the basis for learning to live with my bipolar disorder.  I do counselling work for Trauma Recovery Aotearoa / Men and Trauma. I was a board member of Kites NZ for eight years, and a consumer advisor in mental health to the Wellington 3DHB before its restructure.

In my personal life, I’m a father to two awesome kids, I’m passionate about music, close friends, cooking, and nature.