Kate Armstrong (she/her)

Counsellor

Announcements

Please Note: My practice is currently full so I am unavailable to see new clients.

Announcement

How strange that the nature of life is change, yet the nature of human beings is to resist change. And how ironic that the difficult times we fear might ruin us are the very ones that can break us open and help us blossom into who we were meant to be.
– Elizabeth Lesser

 

Areas of Special Interest

  • LGBTIQ+
  • sexuality/gender identity
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • shame
  • grief
  • self-worth
  • relationship difficulties
  • giftedness/high sensitivity
  • sexual health & behaviour
  • PLHIV (people living with HIV)

 

Counselling Services

Many people choose to begin counselling due to a stressful situation, major life transition or painful past experiences that are impacting in the present day. Some people are seeking support to deal with a specific situation or emotion they are experiencing such as anxiety or grief. Others are looking for a safe space to explore aspects of identity, understand their relationships with significant others in their lives, or to gain clarity, direction and purpose.

Counselling is a collaborative process whereby we work together to deepen your awareness of self and harvest your inner resources to move towards a life with more meaning and the emotional agility to navigate change.

I can support you to….

  • explore and better understand your own unique thoughts, feelings and behaviours
  • experience healthy expression of emotion
  • gain insight into your values, motivations and beliefs
  • make sense of your experiences, relationships and ways of being in the world
  • explore choices for change
  • find strategies for resolving imbalance
  • move towards healthier relationships with self and others
  • increase self-compassion and resilience

 

Counselling Approach

I understand that coming to talk to someone about your inner struggles or areas of life that are causing pain can feel scary and it takes courage to seek support. I provide a safe, compassionate and confidential space in which you can freely explore issues that are affecting you without fear of prejudice or judgment.

My approach is grounded in person-centred practise and I work from an integrative model which allows me to draw from different perspectives and use a range of therapeutic tools to work effectively with you depending on your individual needs.

I am experienced in both short term and long term therapy and we would start with what has brought you to counselling to better understand your needs and clarify your goals.

 

Background and Experience

During my career as a counsellor I have worked internationally within the public health, social care and not-for-profit sectors with diverse populations of people throughout NZ, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

I am a LGBTIQ+ gender and sexual diversity counsellor and have extensive experience working with the Rainbow community in various LGBTIQ+ specialist roles and organisations.

I have nearly a decade of experience working as a counsellor at The New Zealand Aids Foundation (Burnett Centre, Auckland, NZ), and Toronto Public Health (Canada), specialising in working with PLHIV (people living with HIV) and sexual health within the MSM community.

 

Supervision Services

I provide supervision to both experienced and new counsellors, and particularly enjoy working with student counsellors to facilitate their learning and support their development towards trusting their own strengths and capabilities as a self-directed practitioner.

I create a psychologically safe space for professionals to explore challenging areas of practise such as ethical dilemmas, unconscious bias, complex responses to the work and areas of development, as well as placing emphasis on celebrating successes and maintaining self-care.

My style of supervision is supportive and balanced and I believe when we can speak freely about the experiences that elicit the most challenge in our work, then we have the opportunity to fully engage with the most valuable reflection and growth.

FAQs

Q Registrations and Memberships

- Member of the NZ Association of Counsellors (MNZAC)
- Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Q Qualifications

- Masters of Counselling (Distinction)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Guidance & Counselling
- Bachelor of Education

Q Appointments

Tuesdays - Online
Wednesdays - Parnell
Thursdays - Grey Lynn

Q Fees

$130 per session

Q Payment Options

- Cash: at completion of session.
- Online Banking: paid prior to or within 48 hours of session completion.

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