Martin Fraser

Areas of Special Interest

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Relationship Issues (inc LGBTI)
• Self Esteem
• Motivation
• Assertiveness
• “Overdoing behaviours” Sex, Gambling, Work, Alcohol, Prescription Meds, Substance Abuse

Counselling Services

My philosophy around counselling is that it works best when we are “ready to change”. Sometimes this is at a time of crisis, sometimes our sense of unease grows to such an extent that to do nothing is not an option.

I believe that people thrive when they have a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging and experience social justice. I also believe that we all have an innate ability to choose change and, with support, follow through with change.

Counselling is most effective when we have a sense of purpose of why we are doing it, a reason, and a vision of a new possibility. Counselling can turn a possibility into a probability, if you work on it, with support from counsellor and others. Effectiveness is not dependent on how often you come or for how long. Many of our clients come initially for 2 to 5 appointments and follow up months or years later with a new issue to work on.

I particularly enjoy my work when clients begin to experience life in a way that they previously thought to be unreachable because of limiting beliefs, problem behaviours, anxiety, depression and shame.

Some of my articles are on martinfraser.co.nz​​​​​​​

Counselling Approach

My approach to Counselling is to be purposeful, practical and result orientated. I believe that often it is not necessary to find out where a problem started before change can get underway. I see my role as to listen to your story, your beliefs and feelings and support you unload. I then see my role as one of exploring options and strategies going forward, supporting you with a plan, cheerleading your progress.

Curious about my counselling modalities ? I use CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Rogerian Counselling and I am also familiar with Narrative Therapy.

Background and Experience

• 20 years Private practice concurrent with 17 years in Hospital Board Mental Health setting.
• Experience in Community Rehabilitation, Exposure Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Interventions

Supervision Services

Supervision of Counsellors and Community Support Workers (Mental Health).

With you I can:

• Collaborate with you on deciding your supervision goals
• Encourage insight, self exploration and continual reality testing
• Focus on the development and refinement of skill behaviours (feeling, thoughts, actions)
• Practice skills as modelling, role playing, role reversal.

I work mainly with CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Rogerian Counselling and I am also familiar with Narrative Therapy.

I will encourage you to grown in confidence, to listen to your own intuition and to bring your own unique style to your work.