Relationship and couples counselling — in person and online
I’m Frances Sullivan, a counsellor based in Takapuna, Auckland. I retrained as a counsellor in 2006, bringing a strong foundation in psychology alongside a rich depth of life experience. Over the years, I’ve come to deeply value walking alongside people through life’s challenges, transitions, and moments of uncertainty.
My approach is warm, grounded and reflective. I offer a calm, compassionate space where you can slow things down, feel genuinely heard, and make sense of what’s been happening. I believe that even when life includes pain, sadness, or loss, with the right support these experiences can become opportunities for understanding, growth, and healing.
I also know first‑hand the difference counselling can make. During a very difficult period in my own life, the support of a skilled counsellor helped me find steadiness, perspective, and hope again — and that experience continues to shape how I work today.
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling offers a confidential space to explore what you’re carrying — whether that’s stress, anxiety, grief, low mood, relationship strain, life change, or simply the feeling of being stuck. Together, we’ll make sense of your experience, identify what you want to change, and support you to move forward in a way that feels authentic and manageable.
Relationship Counselling for Couples
I work with couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties and want support to improve communication, rebuild trust, or navigate periods of conflict or change. Couples may come to counselling feeling stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about the future of their relationship.
I provide a calm, supportive environment where both partners can be heard, explore patterns in their relationship, and work towards greater understanding, connection, and emotional safety. Relationship counselling can be particularly helpful during times of transition, stress, or when communication has broken down.
What it’s like to work with me
People often tell me they appreciate having space that feels steady, respectful, and non‑judgemental. My role is not to take sides or “tell you what to do”, but to help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, strengthen insight and communication, and support practical steps towards change.
A note about Northspan Wellbeing
I’m part of the counselling team at Northspan Wellbeing, a social enterprise and charitable partner of Wingspan Trust. This means that choosing counselling through Northspan not only supports your wellbeing — it also contributes to affordable counselling for people in our community who might otherwise miss out.
FAQs
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a form of talk therapy. It offers a safe, non-judgemental and supportive space where you or your loved ones can meet with a trained professional to talk about the issues or problems you face — they may be things you find difficult to talk to other people about.
Your counsellor will draw on tools and techniques to help you move through the feelings, behaviours, thoughts, or situations you are experiencing. It can help to provide new perspectives on your situations and provide you with tools to help navigate future experiences.
Together with your counsellor, you’ll identify the desired outcomes you want to achieve and develop strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges, so you can get back to being you.
How do I know if I need Counselling?
Deciding to see a Counsellor is a personal decision and reasons will vary for everyone.
Below are some examples that may be an indicator that it’s time to reach out for help:
- Not feeling like ‘yourself’; feeling more irritable than usual; feeling that you are not coping with ‘life’; feeling constantly angry, sullen, withdrawn, weepy, or sad.
- When life circumstances become unacceptable or intolerable to you.
- When you feel unable to manage your relationships.
- When you don’t feel like you are coping with a change or trauma in your life.
Should I tell other people that I am going to Counselling?
Telling people you trust that you are seeing a counsellor can be challenging sometimes. However, it may help them understand any changes you are making and why you are approaching things a certain way. It is often helpful to have someone to share and reflect on your experiences with.
Is my personal information secure?
Your privacy is important to us. Northspan Wellbeing is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Counselling is a confidential process. Your counsellor will discuss this with you at your first appointment — including when we may need to extend confidentiality to support you or someone else’s care and safety.
Am I registered?
- I am a full Member, Registered with the NZ Association of Counsellors (MNZAC)
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Get Directions
400 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
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https://www.northspanwellbeing.org.nz/
May, 2026
Monday
August 26,2019
- Tuesday
- 9:00am - 10:00am
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