Cashmen (Clarence) Fillis

It is important to ask me any questions and discuss concerns which could help you to get a better understanding if we could work together for you to achieve goals comfortably and safely. The therapeutic relationship is vital for success, and understandably not every therapist-client combination works well. If you don't feel comfortable after a few sessions, it's okay to seek someone else. I might be able to then suggest referrals to other therapists.

We’ll chat about what’s bringing you in, discuss your goals, and see if our personalities click. Generally, the first therapy session centres on completing informed consent and agreement contracts, discussing your reasons for seeking counselling and your goals, becoming acquainted with the approach I take and addressing any questions you may have. It's an opportunity for us both to decide if it's a good fit.

Counselling isn’t magic, so there’s no “quick fix” or set time. Some clients may need 8-20 sessions, while others require long-term support. It’s tailored to your unique goals and the range and complexity of the issues. Initially it is helpful to commit to 4 – 6 sessions. Thereafter we can access whether you achieved your goals or you might have acquired sufficient skills to continue further on your own.

That is normal. I will guide the conversation, asking questions about your life, relationships, and goals. A Japanese form of therapy – Kintsugi - transforms brokenness into something even more memorable, teaching that each pain, every flaw and scar contributes to our complete, stronger and unique beauty. Therefore, every piece of your life story is important and we will find a way to put it together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Counsellors normally do not give direct advice because we believe that each client has a unique experience which cannot be generalised in some manual or script. But, we offer something more valuable – assisting you to build the tools and confidence to trust your own decisions, rather than telling you what to do. Helping you understand your situation and equipping you to make your own informed decisions is far more empowering and liberating. We are prefer suggestions - soft proposals of ideas or options for consideration, which you can easily accept or discard and new ways of seeing beyond the limitations of linear perception and labels.

Once you become aware that you are coping better with stress, it occurs less often and less severe, your relationships are improving and overall you have a sense of feeling more like yourself again. You can recall traumatic or unpleasant memories in the present without actually feeling that you are back in those past dreadful events. Your motivation and increases and you start to take more pleasure in doing and planning things. These could be a slow changes which become more regular if are open to letting it happen, receptive and patient while it does. Problems often didn’t appear overnight — they probably occurred over a great deal of time; so they are likely to need some time as well to vanish.

My rates for 50 to 60 minute sessions are:
• Individuals - $140
• Couples - $165
• Families - $180
• Supervision - $140
Exceptions:
• 90 minute sessions will be an extra $40
• Student counsellors may be eligible for negotiated discounts
Winz, Eap, Insurance,ACC and any other approved financial assistance accepted

- I am a Member, Registered with the NZ Association of Counsellors (MNZAC)