Hi, I’m Sarah Smith.
As a counsellor I work to help you honour the way you were uniquely designed, to work through the challenges you are facing. I see the emotional healing journey as a gentle unfurling process like that of a fern frond in nature. This requires a deep sense of safety and connection, so you can gently stretch your comfort zone, strengthen new skills, gain confidence and momentum. This also involves grieving and accepting what you cannot change or control, to move from survival mode toward thriving. So I am passionate about life balance and the ways we sustain our physical, emotional, social, and spiritual coping tanks to heal and grow. This makes me passionate about creating and maintaining healthy personal boundaries too.
As a previous primary school teacher and children and families pastor, I am invested in nurturing and empowering children, and that includes the inner child still waiting to heal within many adults. I have respectfully and effectively worked with children and adults from a variety of cultural and faith backgrounds. I have been married for 36 years and have 2 adult children.
Modalities: I tend to work creatively and holistically using person-centred, narrative, and cognitive behavioural therapies with sand play, somatic, systemic family and internal family systems as well.
Specialties: Anxiety, burnout, grief & loss, trauma, parenting/family/relationship challenges, bullying/harassment, boundaries, workplace Issues, post natal depression/trauma, sexual abuse, spirituality/spiritual growth, life transitions, attachment issues, spiritual abuse, immigration/cultural change.
Ages: Adults, Adolescents, Children 4+ years
Qualifications: Primary School Teaching Diploma, Bachelor of Counselling, MNZCCA.
Years in practice: 7+
Counselling Fees
(in-person or remote)
Our fees vary depending on the services provided. A standard 60-minute consultation for an individual is $125, and for a couple or family it's $145. An extended session of 75 minutes is available for a slightly higher fee. We accept EFTPOS or bank transfer; however, we do not have credit card facilities. The fee is payable on the day of the appointment.
Cancellation Policy
If you cannot attend your appointment for any reason, we require 24 hours' notice of cancellation. A $40 fee will be charged for late cancellation.
Please note that the fee will be charged to ensure our counsellors are compensated for their allocated time.
We kindly ask that you notify us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule, so we can offer the appointment to another client. Thank you for your understanding. Please cancel by telephone (09 576 4248), email, or respond to the SMS message.
Reminder Service
Email and Txt reminders are sent. Three and one working days before the counselling sessions. Please respond to the reminder asap if you cannot make your appointment.
Government Assistance
Work and Income
You may be eligible for subsidised counselling services through Work & Income, if you are already entitled to a benefit or if your income is under a certain level. We have the forms and can assist you with these.
Initiate Your Comprehensive Wellness Plan
Submit the brief inquiry form to discuss your needs and we will contact you for a face-to-face consultation.