Katie Alini

I see counselling as a collaborative process, where your knowledge of your own life is central. My practice is grounded in Narrative Therapy, which recognises that we are not the problems we face. Together, we can develop a richer understanding of what is happening in your life, the relationships and contexts that shape your experiences, and what matters to you. I bring curiosity and therapeutic knowledge, while respecting your expertise in your own life.

Narrative Therapy is a collaborative approach that recognises the influence of the stories we hold about ourselves and our lives. These stories are shaped by our experiences, relationships and wider social and cultural contexts. Rather than seeing people as the problem, Narrative Therapy creates space to understand the effects of problems on people's lives, reconnect with what matters to them, and give greater attention to stories of identity, values, skills and possibilities that may have been overlooked.

Trauma-informed practice recognises that experiences of trauma and harm can affect people's lives, relationships and sense of themselves. It also attends to the wider contexts in which harm occurs, and recognises people's responses to harm, including ways they have resisted, protected themselves and held onto what matters to them.
Yes, my practice is trauma-informed. I work collaboratively, with care and respect for your choices, recognising that there is no expectation to talk about or revisit traumatic experiences. We can focus on what feels important to you.

You don't need to arrive with a clear understanding of what's happening or what you want from counselling. Sometimes it can be difficult to put things into words, or to know where to begin. We can start with whatever feels most present for you and take things at a pace that feels comfortable. There is no expectation that you need to have it all figured out before we meet.

- Registered Provisional Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)
- Masters of Counselling (University of Waikato)

I don't see myself as the expert on your life. You bring important knowledge of your own experiences, relationships, values and hopes. I bring a care-full listening ear, therapeutic knowledge and questions that may help us look at things from different perspectives. We work together, drawing on what each of us brings. We work collaboratively, making sense of what is happening and considering what might be helpful for you. My role isn't to prescribe how you should live, but to support you in finding a way forward that fits with what matters to you.