Robyn Yee

Food for thought

Every person has a unique story, a different set of needs, aspirations, personal struggles and strengths. People attend counselling for a variety of reasons: to understand thoughts and feelings; to explore current and past experiences; to develop effective coping strategies; to improve relationships and interact more effectively with others; and to identify what has meaning and discover new pathways.

Everyone deserves to experience empathy, acceptance and to know their own value. In essence my role as a counsellor is to facilitate healing in a way that enhances self empowerment, wellness and interconnectedness with life.

Counselling Approach

I work with both short and long term clients. And am experienced in working with a diversity of cultures  and sexual orientations. My approach is psychodynamic and holistic,  offering practical life skills. Culturally sensitive and trauma informed, I provide an integrated counseling approach that draws on different modalities  depending on my clients individual needs. Modalities include: Whare Tapa Wha, DBT, ACT, Polyvagal and Mindfulness Based approaches.

Spotlight on relationship issues:  individual and couples therapy

I work with a relational approach as the foundation but integrate other styles to match my clients’ needs. I am trained in the Bader Pearson Developmental Model for couples’ therapy. This is a research-backed, growth approach, which  incorporates: neuroscience, attachment theory and skills towards differentiation. This supports couples to grow awareness,  do conflict well, manage anxiety over differences; and cultivate emotional muscle.

Therapy for relationship issues is long term and requires a commitment to team work and giving the homework a go. In this way couples and individuals can maximize opportunities for meaningful change and build hope for a way forward.

Areas of special interest

• Cultural issues
• TBI/concussion
• Infidelity and betrayal
• Grief and loss
• Stress and Burnout
• Trauma 
• Anxiety

About me

Kia ora! I am a first generation Chinese New Zealander born and raised in Turanga nui a kiwa Gisborne. Culturally aware, I have a strong sense of justice and fairness. I come from a broad working background encompassing teaching in secondary schools; hospitality; performing arts and the film industry. Integral to this is a love of working with people, their respective communities and the diversity this brings. I have strong sense of justice, fairness and work hard to remain culturally responsive.

I am a qualified counsellor with  11 years experience working with Adults and Youth from diverse backgrounds in the private and public sectors. Public sector work includes familiarity with public mental health services and working with youth in secondary schools. I’m experienced  in corporate counselling with a focus on burnout, stress and coping skills, work place issues, chronic illness and life transitions.  

In 2018, I made a gradual shift into private practice to provide services to a broader community. I see mainly adults, including those in neurodiverse and rainbow communities. I have a small allocation reserved for teens, who can attend appointments no later than 4pm on Monday or Tuesdays.