I have always had time for peoples’ stories, but it was only in 2002 that I entered my professional
training as a counsellor. Within a few short weeks of entering my study I knew I would love this work.
After joining a professional counselling association (NZAC) in 2004, I started my counselling career at a community agency. I worked primarily with couples and families and facilitated various programs. Alongside this I worked with individuals and youth and offered assistant tutoring for the counselling program at UCOL.
When entering private practice in 2008, I gained accreditation with the Family Court, doing relationship and couples counselling for them as well as mediation for couples going through separation.
In the same year I gained accreditation from Primary Health Organization (referrals through doctors and the hospital) and EAP Services (Employment Assistance Programs). In 2014 there were some changes to the Family Court system and I was additionally appointed to provide pre-mediation counselling for the Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) services though both Presbyterian Support Family Work and The FDR Centre. Here I work alongside lawyers and mediators providing assistance for families going through separation and divorce.
After a varied background, the majority of the work I currently choose to do is Relationship counselling .It is work I love. I also continue my work with the Family Court where I offer communication counselling and mediation preparation.
I had lived all my life in Zimbabwe until coming to New Zealand in 2001. Through my earlier life, I have worked as a sound engineer and employment consultant. I have owned a range of businesses (retail clothing store and leather goods manufacturer). I have created and run a farm cookery school! I have moved homes, towns, countries and continents and I have experienced triumphs, failures and loss. And I have arrived in New Zealand ready to re-create myself and I feel blessed to have been able to do this counselling work for more than 20 years. My life has taken me on an intensely rich and varied path, so I am able to relate to many of the emotions clients share. I believe this makes me more receptive, more proactive and more empathetic in my approach. I have never met a client I don’t feel empathy for.
I believe that talking can help. So whether it is a relationship issue or something else life has thrown at you – give me a call. I would love to support you.
There is always a way though
Kind regards
Gail
Counsellor
Memberships and Registrations
New Zealand Association of Counsellors
DAPAANZ (Standard Membership)
Manawatu Family Courts Association (MFCA)
New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI)
Accreditations/Contracts
Family Court
The FDR Centre (Family Dispute Resolution)
Presbyterian Support – Family Works (FDR)
New Zealand Defense Forces
Experience and Training
UCOL Diploma in Counselling 2006
Marriage and Couples Counselling
Facilitation of Parenting programs
Facilitation of Youth and Parent Anger Management Programs
Supervision of phone line volunteers for Parenting Crisis Line
Assistant Tutoring of UCOL Diploma in Counselling (Faye Garnham Centre)
Appointment as Family Court Counsellor (Relationship Counselling)
Appointment as FDR (Family Dispute Resolution) counsellor
Facilitator-Mindfulness and Mind Mapping workshops
Ongoing professional development as required by New Zealand Association of Counselling
Theories, Modalities and Strategies – eclectic mix
+ Narrative Therapy + Emotionally Focused Therapy + Gottman
+ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy + Mindfulness + Solution Focused
Gail Bartlett-Harris Registered Counsellor 