Adult Services

How can counselling tautoko your life?

Sometimes it can be challenging to speak to whānau; it may feel difficult to express your thoughts or feelings, and there may be many reasons why. Kōrero with someone neutral and not a part of the whānau, can help you feel safe to express yourself. We will help you find a safe space and support you identify tools and strategies to navigate struggles and challenges.

At Āwhina Whānau Services, all our team members are experienced and qualified professionals, each registered with their relevant professional bodies.

Who do we help?

  • We offer therapy and counselling for ages 18 and above.

    We offer free, qualified and confidential counselling services for whānau and tangata whai ora. Our purpose is to help support a multitude of feelings and situations that arise and to restore mana back into whānau and individuals.

What do we focus on?

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • Trauma

    • Grief/loss

    • Bullying

    • Anger management

    • Conflict resolution

    • Parental separation

    • Changing environments

    • Neglect

    • Family violence

    • Sexual violence

    • Attachment/abandonment issues

    • Emotional regulation

    • Self-esteem

    • Identity considerations

    • Mental health

    • Relationship and communication

    • Emotional regulation

What services do we provide?

    • Individual counselling sessions with qualified counsellors/therapists

    • Trauma focused therapy

    • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

    • Narrative therapy

    • Client centred therapy

    • Te Whare Tapa Whā

    • Strength based therapy

Testimonies

  • “Āwhina Whānau Services - the best in Te Matau a Māui. Thank you for your care and support.”

  • “Being part of AWS dramatically changed my life. I have learnt and gained enough knowledge about myself and the tools I require to help my mental health. Thank you so much for your time, it really is appreciated and I pray that others heal in your presence also. Arohanui.”

  • “The fog has gone … a welcoming environment counsellor was easy to talk to. The tools are just the best thing ever. Being able to completely let go and not be in control is awesome. No anxiety for 3-4 weeks.”

  • “[Counsellor] supported through a difficult time in my life. I have learnt tools to help with my anxiety and depression. I could not have got through this last couple of years without support. Thank you so much for all you have done, counselling was very helpful.”

  • “Thank you very much [Counsellor] for your tautoko and awhi throughout my journey.”

  • “Thank you very much [Counsellor] for guiding and helping me through some big stuff that I had been holding onto throughout my life from childhood. And just being a great help and support in so many ways. Thanks for just being there when I needed you.”

The Next Step…

Process of engagement

  1. A completed referral form is received, and contact will be made with you to accept or discuss other options of the referral.

  2. We initially meet with tangata whai ora for a whakawhanaungatanga hui. This hui enables you to ask any questions and understand what services may be provided for you. The Waharoa/Triage Coordinator will complete an assessment and required paperwork with you (hui is usually between 1½ hours to 2 hours).

  3. The next step is for the Waharoa/Triage Coordinator to take the referral and assessment to a MDT (multi disciplinary team) hui where the tangata whai ora will be allocated to a counsellor or therapist in Āwhina Whānau Services.

  4. The allocated counsellor or therapist will then make contact with you to start the therapy process.

The Next Step

Process of Engagement

  1. When a completed referral form is received, contact will be made with you to accept or discuss other options of the referral.

  2. We initially meet with tangata whai ora for a whakawhanaungatanga hui. This hui enables you to ask any questions and understand what services may be provided for you. The Waharoa/Triage Coordinator will complete an assessment and required paperwork with you (hui is usually between 1½ hours to 2 hours).

  3. The next step is for the Waharoa/Triage Coordinator to take the referral and assessment to a MDT (multi disciplinary team) hui where the tangata whai ora will be allocated to a counsellor or therapist in Āwhina Whānau Services.

  4. The allocated counsellor or therapist will then make contact with you to start the therapy process.