YOUNG PEOPLE

COUNSELLING & THERAPY

Who Do We Help?

  • We provide therapy and counselling for individuals aged 4 to 17.

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

What services we provide?

    • Talk therapy

    • Sand tray therapy

    • Play therapy

    • Interactive drawing therapy

    • Art therapy

    • Strengths based, solution focused, CBT

    • Parental and tamariki interactive therapy

    • Adventure based therapy and outdoor health

    • Cultural connection

    • Mentoring

    • Tamariki Kaha, programmes in schools for ages 5-13 years old

    • Piringa Whānau, Whanau based programme.

    • Whakapuāwai, therapy programme for kotiro who have experience trauma.

    • Mana Tamatea

    • Mauri Ora

    • Resilience programmes (school based)

    • Turangawaewae

How can counselling tautoko your tamariki and rangatahi?

Sometimes it can be challenging for tamariki and rangatahi to speak to their whānau; they may find it difficult to express their thoughts or feelings, and there may be many reasons why. Korero with someone neutral and not a part of the whānau, this can help a tamariki and rangatahi feel safe to express themselves. Sometimes tamariki and rangatahi need someone to help them identify tools and strategies to navigate struggles and challenges.

The Next Step…

Process of engagement

  1. An enquiry is received, and contact will be made with whānau to accept or discuss other options with a referral.

  2. We initially meet with whānau (parent(s), caregivers or guardians) for a Whakawhānaungatanga Hui. This hui involves the whānau to ask any questions and get an understanding of what service may be provided for their tamariki or rangatahi. The child therapist will complete an assessment and required paperwork with whānau (hui is usually between 1 ½ hours to 2 hours).

  3. The next step is for the child therapist to take the referral and assessment to an MDT where the tangata whai ora will be allocated a child therapist in Āwhina Whānau Services.

  4. The allocated child therapist will then make contact with the whānau to start the therapy process.


Enquire with us here to be contacted for a referral

Click below for more information on our FAQ page

Tangata Whai Ora Testimonies

  • “I admired the respect shown towards my faith and the fact that it was allowed. The diversity between the whanau and how we’re all here for the same reason despite our different circumstances. The freedom within our speech, the inclusion, building relationship. Shows we are ‘not alone’ especially in the struggle of raising children. Being a mother can be a very lonely part of life” — Parent

  • “We are really seeing some awesome changes in our wee man and tried some of the communication techniques you provided this evening with his fear of being told off and he not only told us what happened but apologised to his brother” — Caregiver of Tamariki

  • “He has moved from being so anxious that he can’t leave the house to interacting with the boys at Te Kura and realizing that not all children will bully him. He is giving things a go now. This is huge” — Parent of 10-year-old boy

  • “I don’t feel so scary going to talk to the judge because I feel safe and know that no one can hurt me anymore” – Tamariki aged 10 years old