Anne Bate

In Counselling I offer a safe, confidential, and supportive space to share what is going on for you without a fear of being judged. I offer a warm, friendly and down to earth approach, and can work with you to gain new skills to get more from your life and relationships.

Areas of Special Interest

• depression
• anxiety
• grief
• loneliness
• relationship issues
• anger issues
• parenting issues
• suicidality
• self esteem and confidence
• trauma
• PTSD
• sexuality
• gender issues
• spirituality
• toxic religion matters
• existential concerns

Counselling Services

Counselling can help a person when they are feeling stuck or overwhelmed by life situations or relationships.

I offer a safe, confidential and supportive space, where clients can feel at ease sharing what is going on for them without fear of judgement. In a counselling session we will work together to understand and move through areas of stuckness, and I am passionate about equipping people with insights and skills to take away and practice, when they leave.

I like to write notes through the session and give the person a copy to take away, with helpful insights and strategies.

I work with individuals of all cultures, religions, genders and sexual orientations.

I use a variety of counselling methods:

• In a counselling session I practice Person-centred Therapy, by listening carefully to what a person tells me about their experiences and challenges, and working with the person to set realistic goals to get the change they are wanting.
• Through REBT therapy I focus on connecting current conflicts with themselves or others, to historical life events, or unhealthy ways of thinking. I equip them with empowering tools to manage unbearable feelings and moods. And I offer life skills to help a person manage difficult situations and people in their life.
• Through Strengths-based counselling I focus on a person’s strengths, and together we focus on new ways of managing stress and achieving dreams.

Background and Experience

I have nine years experience working as a counsellor, starting with training and working as a telephone counsellor and face to face counsellor with Lifeline. I also have counselled in different churches. Recently I have counselled with Supporting Families, Marlborough. for 18 months. I have run workshops on mental and emotional health topics through the Women’s Centre.

I am also a Provider Counsellor with Aoake Te Ra, a recently new organisation which provides free counselling for people that have lost someone through suicide.