Hazel Thompson

‘Life is not about discovering yourself,
Life is about creating yourself….’

 

Areas of Special Interest

• Identity
• Direction
• Feeling ‘stuck’
• Life crisis
• Situational depression
• Communication
• Anger
• Recovering/reclaiming lives from past or current hurt/abuse
• Domestic violence
• Trauma
• Grief

Counselling Services

I am a counsellor of 12 years standing, who’s worked with individuals and families from all walks of life, earning me great experience beyond a solid counsellor training.

I work collaboratively with people, believing that you will bring much wisdom of your own life, situation and concerns as well as strengths and resources, and that I will contribute professional knowledge, the ability to hold a clear overview and a non-judgemental, supportive stance. My perspective is to work with you in your chosen and preferred directions whilst at the same time, honouring and resolving, as much as possible, any limitations, hurts or beliefs that may constrain current hopes, dreams, visions and ambitions for your life. I will work with you towards any goals, exploring steps towards achieving these. You are a unique individual and I will work with you, for the best for you, in the best way I can.

Change is possible! We are not static human beings, but have the ability to create change in our personal and professional lives in line with who we want to be based on values we hold. I believe we are who we are, but we are also who we are becoming…

Counselling Approach

My training was primarily in Narrative therapy, and whilst my practice is wider than this due to prior and later training, I hold two narrative principals as my guiding philosophy. These are, firstly, that clients hold much knowledge about their own lives and situations and are resourceful, and secondly, that problems, challenges and dilemmas do not represent personal deficit or failing but are constructed through interactions in personal and social experiences, past and present.

Background and Experience

I trained as a counsellor after working as a photographer for many years. I became more interested in how people thought and made meaning of their lives, rather than by creating images of how people looked. This career transition coincided with personal counselling that enabled a review of my own values and direction.

Now a counselor of 17 years standing, I have worked in community agencies counselling individuals, couples and families from all walks of life. For 10 years I have facilitated groups, running programs for clients referred through the legal system.

I constantly update counselling skills through experience, training workshops and supervision. I have been a member of NZAC since 2006.

Counselling is a very personal, courageous, sometimes vulnerable experience with the client/counsellor relationship at its heart. I endeavour to create a strong and purposeful alliance with those I work with.