Cari Batenburg

(she/her/ia) [Pākehā, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa]

It can be really difficult to open yourself up to another person and share your deepest concerns, fears and issues. Some people worry that sharing their inner world, their experiences, and sometimes even their hopes and dreams will expose them to negative judgment or shame.

It takes a lot of courage to make yourself vulnerable in this way; trusting another person with your ‘stuff’ can feel deeply uncomfortable and risky. With this in mind, it is very important to me as a counsellor to do my best to build a relationship with you in which you feel safe, accepted and respected. No matter what reason may have brought you to therapy, or what you may share, part of my job is to help you stay connected to what’s important to you and where you want to go. 

My Approach

Life isn’t linear, nor is it possible to bring under our control. I understand that anyone engaging in the counselling and therapy process is living their life at the same time as trying to work on their life. It is like driving a car at the same time as doing a WOF and repairs. Therefore, I try to maintain a flexible approach in response to the many demands my clients have in their lives.

This means that the counselling process itself is rarely a straight progression from A to Z, and that is okay. For example, some weeks we might be working through areas and issues linked to your goals and plans but then something more pressing might happen in your everyday life that  we need to prioritise instead for awhile.

My overall perspective and practice is largely informed by Narrative Therapy (NT), but I also draw on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Attachment Theory and processes where appropriate. 

Contact

The best way to contact me is by filling in the form on this page, or by txt. I will get back to you as soon as possible to make an appointment. If, for the sake of privacy or safety, you would prefer to have your appointment arranged via email rather than by txt or phone call, please let me know in your message. 

Special Areas of Interest

• Anxiety / Social Anxiety / Health Anxiety
• Burnout / Stress / Meltdown / Overwhelm in Work or Study life
• Chronic Illness / adjusting to long-term or permanent changes in physical or cognitive function
• Chronic Pain / coming to terms with pain, managing pain, navigating medical appointments
• Confidence & Self-Esteem / Social Anxiety / Shame
• Death & Dying / Grief & Loss
• Divorce / Separation
• Eating / Food / Body Image challenges
• Life, Role, Identity Changes – that are causing stress, anxiety, frustration, grief, loss, confusion, or anger
• Palliative Care / Terminal Illness / Diagnosis support, support for caregivers
• Pet Loss Grief – often minimised and poorly understood by others
• Relationship challenges
• Workplace challenges

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (Counselling) – AUT
• Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences – AUT
• Diploma in Arts – Massey University
• Diploma in Business Studies – Massey University
• Certificate of Proficiency in NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language) – AUT
• Poupou Huia Te Reo & Poupou Huia Te Reo Te Hōkairangi (Te Reo Māori) – Te Wananga o Raukawa
• Certified Counsellor of Online & Phone Counselling – CT (UK) 
• Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP)