Susan Fuhrer

Counselling to strengthen you and transform your life.

Choosing to come to counselling is a courageous investment in your life!

My name is Susan Fuhrer and as a counsellor I understand the difficult realities life can bring and the fear involved in making yourself vulnerable. However I have also seen that the courage to step out and receive help is rewarded in lives strengthened and transformed. I am passionate about wholeness and people coming into the freedom to be all they can be. I provide a safe, non-judgemental environment allowing you to be listened to and supported, giving you the freedom to explore all that is on your heart.

Positive, affirming, self-empowering and at times challenging, counselling can be all these but mostly it will be one of the best investments you’ll make for your life journey.

The scope of my counselling includes:

• Improve relationships
• Improve self-esteem
• Clarify life direction
• Get “unstuck”
• Change unhealthy patterns
• Become more creative and productive
• Gain self-awareness
• Help process feelings
• Explore new options
• Heal from past losses
• Gain new perspective
• Provide useful stategies to overcome obstacles
• DBT (Dialectic Behaviour Therapy) which includes: mindfulness, emotional regulation, Interpersonal and Distress tolerance skills

Counselling can help you with:

• anxiety & depression
• domestic violence
• sexual abuse
• grief & loss
• life transitions
• spirituality
• relational issues
• self-esteem
• addictions
• parenting
• separation and divorce
• managing stress
• international debriefing

Counselling for Sexual Abuse

My desire is to provide a safe and sensitive place for the healing and empowerment needed in this area. I have worked with survivors for the last five years. I incorporate a number of different ways of working depending on each person’s need and pace. Mindfulness, inner child work, interactive drawing therapy to name a few. I am ACC registered.

Transition Debriefing

Having lived and worked overseas, as well as seven years involvement in an NGO (non-governmental organisation), I appreciate the challenges involved in such transitions. I am therefore passionate about the benefits of debriefing to bring healing and to aid the process of re-entry. To journey well one must allow the “soul to catch up.” May I encourage you to take the time to process well, celebrate the achievements, mourn the loss, validate the experiences, explore any unfinished business and look hopefully into the future, I have completed debriefing training here in NZ as well as with the NGO I worked with.

In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.
– Albert Einstein

About Susan

Growing up in West Auckland has given me a keen connection to this area with its West coast beaches and bush clad Waitakere Ranges. I have also lived and worked in various nations, and having transitioned from overseas several times I have an understanding of the specific challenges this can involve. A background in primary teaching and 3 adult children has given me a passion for family relationships and I am experienced working with the issues that undermine them. Having been married, cross-culturally, for nearly 30 years I have experienced the different seasons within marriage. As a couple we have gone through seasons of joy, fulfillment of dreams, and nights of pain and struggle. These experiences bring depth to my work and understanding in the healing journey.

I am a Member of NZ Christian Counsellors Association (MNZCCA), I welcome and respect people of all faiths and cultures.

Therapeutic approach

My approach to counselling is person-centered and strengths based. This means I work collaboratively with you to discover and empower the strengths you already have. I also integrate several other models of practice including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Interactive Drawing Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques to help manage emotional stress levels.