Suzanna Langendam

I have 30 years’ experience in Counselling and mindfulness based Hakomi therapy in issues covering the full dimension of human experience, physical emotional mental and spiritual. I deeply respect each person’s authentic self and unique purpose in life, this serves as a guide in the unfolding therapy.

Areas of Special Interest

• anxiety
• depression
• stress
• relationships
• communication
• work issues
• grief & loss
• illness
• trauma
• sexual issues
• doubt
• guilt
• self-acceptance
• lack of meaning
• unconscious beliefs & habits
• bodymind awareness
• mindfulness
• meditation
• spirituality

Counselling/Therapy Services

My work combines counselling and experiential psychotherapy. I use a blend of Western Psychology, Eastern Mindfulness and Body-centred Hakomi therapy. Recent findings in neuroscience inform aspects of my work.

Therapy can help you to:

• Understand tensions carried in the body
• Identify needs and values
• Develop practical strategies for lowering anxiety and stress
• Release unproductive attitudes, habit, patterns, behaviours and beliefs
• Heal developmental wounds
• Heal past trauma
• Improve relationships
• Improve communication
• Understand yourself
• Build self-acceptance
• Treat our self with kindness and compassion
• Grow confidence and lift mood
• Find an internal attitude of aliveness and inner calm
• Know your essential self

My intention is to listen, to support change and self-understanding using mindfulness as a guiding principle. Neuroscience has shown how with the development of the mindful observer we can develop new neurological connections, reshaping the brain and allowing us to dis-identify with the repeating pattern of struggle. This creates opportunities to discover new responses to situations and to settle more easily into our essential self, enabling us to lead confident lives with increased levels of calm and contentment.

Counselling/Therapy Approach

As a certified counsellor and Hakomi experiential therapist I enable a person to discover what they value and what is right for them beyond old fixed attitudes and beliefs about themselves, relationships and the world.

Sessions are collaborative, I work with an attitude of curiosity openness and compassion and hope to foster this within the sessions so clients can achieve their goals and live a more fulfilling life.

I take a mindfulness-based approach to self-understanding, incorporating body and mind to bring the wisdom of the body to the brain. I myself practise mindfulness and meditation and take a holistic view of the human experience.

Background and Experience

I have 30 years’ experience in Counselling and mindfulness based Hakomi therapy including roles at:

• Courtenay Medical – Therapist
• Wellington Women’s Collective – Therapist
• Natural Health Centre Wellington – Therapist
• NZ School of Massage – Tutor
• ISIS Smoking Cessation Program – Course Director
• Life Enhancement Well-Being Program – Course Director

Supervision Services

I am available to provide supervision to counsellors, allied health practitioners and case managers. I bring my experience as a counsellor, mindbody therapist and massage therapist to my work as a supervisor.