Shirley Thorby

Kia ora, 

I identify as Pakeha. I was born in the Waikato, but lived in the Manawatu region for over 30 years. In early 2026 I returned to the Waikato, and now reside in Thames. I am a counsellor/therapist of 22 years experience.

I believe people often seek counselling when they feel stuck in life. As a counsellor I seek to provide a safe space in which people are truly seen and heard. I believe the counselling relationship is a sacred space. I feel that it is an honor to be invited to walk alongside people as they seek to navigate their way through their own challenging and often painful journey.  I provide confidentiality, respect, genuine kindness and empathy.

Counselling Services

I believe that unresolved issues affect the entire body, not just parts of it. I believe that early experiences in life can shape how people navigate their way through relationships. Behaviors that create emotional and relational stuckness are often survival responses that reach back to attachment relationships. These survival behaviors can get in the way of living a fulfilling life. Therapy will help you to deepen your understanding of yourself, and to process internal conflicts, intense emotions and learn new behaviors and ways of thinking about yourself and others that are healthy and life enriching.

I provide counselling and therapy for relationship issues between parent/caregivers and adolescents, individuals and couples. Working with parents and adolescent relationships his has been a special interest of mine as this developmental period can be a difficult time for families.

I offer counselling that adheres to the NZAC code of ethics, which includes confidentiality within the parameters of safety and ethical practice.

Counselling Approach

I am a mind and body therapist. A Bioenergetic Therapist in Training with the New Zealand Society for Bioenergetic Analysis . As a therapist and counsellor, my approach is relational. Valuing intuitiveness, kindness, empathy, connection and creativity. I endeavor to be culturally sensitive and attuned in my work and life. I seek to align my values and my practice to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to foster heart connections with Tāngata Whenua.

If you choose to engage with me, I will listen to the issues you bring with compassion and non-judgment. I will work with you to help you to find your way forward out of your place of stuckness. My therapeutic approach draws on several modalities depending on what feels right for you. These are Bioenergetics Analysis, Person Centered Therapy, Attachment and developmental theory; Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Supervision  services

I provide Supervision for counsellors who are at varying stages in their NZAC membership journey. Whether you are just starting out, or are a full member of NZAC. If you are working in private practice, providing contract work or are employed by an agency/ organization. I have significant experience in all of these areas. I provide supervision that adheres to the NZAC code of ethics

As supervisor, my role is guided by the NZAC code of ethics framework:

If you chose to engage with me as your supervisor, I will work with you, encouraging you in your professional development, seeking to empower you in your practice decisions and problem solving. I will also provide encouragement and feedback on your practice so as to support your professional and personal growth

I will assist you to identify and manage ethical, legal and emotional challenges related to your work

My role will also involve careful attention to the adherence of safe practice and professional standards and  practices

I will encourage you to prioritize professional development as part of your self care and development and deepening of your whole self

I will provide constructive feedback in a caring, warm non judgmental and supportive way.

I am honest in my caring, so i will bring into the space any concerns that i may have regarding safety and ethical practice.

My way of working is as i am as a therapist- warm, gentle and honest.

I value and welcome people from diverse backgrounds, values, beliefs, cultures, abilities and age groups.

Background and Experience

I have provided counselling for people aged from 7 to 80 years for 22 years. I have worked with individuals, families and couple from diverse backgrounds, all of whom have possessed diversity in culture, beliefs and abilities. I currently provide counselling for people aged from 18 to 80+ years.

More recently, in the past 3 years i have provided supervision for new and experienced counsellors. Like my therapeutic style, i am relational, committed to empowerment and growth

Previously, I have worked for counselling agencies counselling school aged children, adolescents, couples, families and individuals. The main issues/ focus of my work has been recovery from trauma; relationship issues; life/change development and transitions; anxiety, depression, grief; anger and work/life stresses. Since 2018 part of my private practice has included working for ACC Sensitive Claims Services providing trauma therapy for individual adults who are survivors of historic sexual abuse.

I am committed to ongoing learning. Currently, I hold the status of Bioenergetic Therapist in Training under the New Zealand Society for Bioenergetic Analysis