A space to make sense of things, and find a way forward.

Kia ora, I’m Jen.

Sometimes life doesn’t look the way we expected it to. You might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, uncertain about what’s next, or simply not quite like yourself. You may know that something needs to change, but not know where to begin.

You don’t have to have it all figured out before reaching out.

I’m a neurodivergent counsellor based in the Johnsonville area, and I work alongside people from all walks of life who are navigating life’s challenges, transitions, losses, and questions.

My approach is warm, curious, collaborative, and flexible. I don’t believe there is one right way to do therapy, or that counselling should be something that is simply done to you. Instead, we’ll work together to understand what’s happening, what matters to you, and what might help.

You are the expert on your own life. My role is to bring therapeutic knowledge, curiosity, compassion, and a different perspective — and to walk alongside you as we make sense of things together.

A little about me

Alongside my professional training, I bring lived experience of having to rebuild when life doesn’t go to plan.

At 19, I moved to Aotearoa alone and started again from nothing. Since then, life has asked me to rebuild more than once. Those experiences have taught me that people are often far more resilient than they realise — and that healing rarely happens through judgment, pressure, or being told what to do.

I’m interested in the person behind the problem: your story, your strengths, the things you’ve already survived, and the things that matter most to you.

I have particular interests in infertility and reproductive health, chronic illness and pain, parenting and perinatal experiences, menopause and perimenopause, grief and loss, work-related stress, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and the many ways life can leave us feeling overwhelmed or stuck.

I also enjoy working with teenagers and young adults who are navigating identity, relationships, school or study, breakups, emotional overwhelm, and the transition into adulthood.

I can support you with

Teens & Young Adults

• Stress, overwhelm & burnout
• Anxiety & school worries
• Relationship difficulties and intensity
• Grief and loss
• Breakups and life changes
• Identity & sexuality
• Depression
• Self-harm
• Abortion

Adults

• Stress, overwhelm & burnout
• Anxiety & depression
• Chronic illness, pain & fatigue
• Grief & loss, including miscarriage, baby loss and abortion
• Life transitions — career, relationships and family
• Reproductive health challenges, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS and PID
• Primary and secondary infertility
• Parenthood & perinatal distress
• Menopause & perimenopause
• Surviving suicide

What you might notice from our work together

Counselling won’t necessarily make difficult things disappear. Instead, our work might help you:

• feel more supported and less alone
• understand what’s happening for you
• find practical ways to cope with difficult thoughts and emotions
• become kinder towards yourself
• feel steadier when things are overwhelming
• reconnect with your strengths and what matters to you
• find clarity when you’re unsure what comes next
• make small, meaningful changes that build over time

How I work

My work is grounded in humanistic values, with your story, voice, values, and pace at the centre.

I use a pluralistic approach, drawing from different therapeutic methods depending on what feels useful for you. Some people want practical tools and small steps forward. Others need somewhere to slow down, talk things through, and understand themselves more deeply. Often, counselling involves a bit of both.

We’ll regularly check in about what is and isn’t working for you, because therapy should be a collaborative process rather than something you have to fit yourself into.

I’m committed to offering thoughtful, high-quality counselling through ongoing professional development, reflection, and a genuine respect for the complexity of people’s lives.

Taking the first step

Reaching out for counselling can feel surprisingly difficult. You don’t need to know exactly what you need help with, and you don’t need to have the right words.

If you’re wondering whether counselling might be helpful, you’re very welcome to get in touch for a free initial online meet-and-greet. It’s a relaxed, no-pressure opportunity for us to meet, talk a little about what’s bringing you to counselling, and see whether we feel like a good fit.

Whatever has brought you here, you’re welcome.

Ngā mihi,

Jen

Get in touch

For the quickest response, please email me directly, as messages through TalkingWorks don’t always come through.

📧 [email protected]