Paul Letham

Counsellor

 

Mt Eden, Auckland

Paul Letham

B.Couns, BA (Drama), Dip.Psych, MNZAC (Prov)
​

Paul is an experienced, fully-qualified registered counsellor based in Mt Eden, Auckland. His counselling style is warm, interactive, affirming, and methodical.

 

Paul's main areas of specialty are:

• depression and anxiety (including panic disorder, social anxiety and OCD)
• sex and sexuality (including gay, lesbian and transgender issues)
• existential concerns (the search for meaning or direction)
• self-esteem, identity
• relationship problems
• grief
• drug/alcohol/gambling issues

How can Paul help me?

 

Counselling can help you:

• Understand your emotions and thinking patterns
• Develop coping strategies
• Explore options and possibilities
• Empower you to make decisions
• Improve your communication skills
• Build a healthy self-image and identity
• Understand influences from your personal history and upbringing
• Relate to others more productively

About Paul

 
​Born into a rural Canterbury family, Paul showed an early interest in both human behaviour and the creative arts. After an initial foray into the worlds of theatre, music and performance, which included gaining an undergraduate degree in Drama, Paul began studying psychology, culminating in two diplomas and a Bachelor of Counselling degree.
 
In addition to his academic background, Paul also brings to his practice first-hand experience of depression and anxiety and a deep understanding of the conditions that can lead to their development.


 

“Who looks outside, dreams;
who looks inside, awakens.”​

Carl Jung

Paul’s Approach

 
Paul’s work is fundamentally rooted in the idea of “client-centred practice", reflecting the philosophy that you are essentially the expert in your own life, but Paul integrates other kinds of modalities as well, depending upon your needs. Drawing from a number of therapeutic approaches, he also works within existential, solution-based, narrative, psychodynamic, Jungian, and cognitive-behavioural (CBT/DBT) methods.

What is counselling?

 
Counselling provides an opportunity for you to express your thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential space. It is an opportunity for you to talk about what's important to you, to seek clarity or insight, and to gain control over aspects of your life that may be troubling you. Counselling relies on the therapeutic relationship that builds over time between the counsellor and yourself. Therapy can be short-term or longer-term, depending on your needs, and the dynamics of counselling will differ from person to person.

What is a counsellor's role?

 
Your counsellor is primarily a listener and a collaborator. Once the goals of your therapy have been determined, your counsellor is there to listen, reflect, interact and even gently challenge you when necessary. He will help you make sense of what is going on for you, or provide a new perspective. The discussions you have with your counsellor are supportive and respectful, free from criticism or judgement. You are in control: your counsellor is less of an "expert" and more of a well-informed, unbiased, encouraging and friendly ear, holding your needs in mind, and ready to help you reach your full potential.

Sessions & Fees

 
Sessions are 60 minutes in length.
 
Paul operates a sliding scale, from $80 to $120 per session, depending on your circumstances.  He's always happy to negotiate this with you.

Payment can be made in cash at the end of the session, or by bank deposit within 3 working days of the session.

Partial funding may be available through WINZ if you are a beneficiary or student.

Contact

 

You are welcome to contact Paul directly:

  M. 027 255 3336
  email Paul Letham

Paul operates out of:

  Eden Practice
  92 Owens Road
  Mt Eden
  Auckland  ​see map