Counselling

Traffic light RED (all phases) services: All present clients will have appointments moved on-line. Any new clients will have their first appointment in the office, and will then been seen on-line. In person counselling will return when we return to ORANGE.

Palmerston North Methodist Social Services provides a confidential and professional service to families, couples, individuals and children aged over 8. Our intakes are OPEN- email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and one of our counsellors will call you.

Counselling provides a safe space to explore issues or problems which may be acute or historical in nature because sometimes we feel stuck or dissatisfied with our situation in life, or we may be seeking support and affirmation.

Professional counselling provides an opportunity for us to find and expand the answers we seek.

The role of the counsellor is that of a navigator assisting you to make sense of, or make decisions in areas of your life which are not working, in a non judgemental and compassionate manner.

Counselling at PNMSS is oriented for change. It is a process that invites you to engage with yourself in relation to what is going on for you. Counselling hopes to open up pathways to you towards a better life, whatever that might mean to you.

Counselling can be hard work. It can be challenging. It can also be supportive, non-judgemental, life changing, and an empowering experience. We are here to help you achieve your goals.

What might I discuss in Counselling?

Issues you might bring to counselling include (but are not limited to) -

Relationships, including how to relate better to a partner, what you want out of a relationship, separation/divorce issues including day-to-day care of children, and power and control issues;
Grief and loss, including issues around death, loss of a relationship, suicide of a family member/friend, loss of goals/job/lifestyles, grief issues for children;
Family, including family therapy/healing, parenting, how to relate better as a family;
Stress and anxiety, including employment issues, time management, behavioural problems;
Confidence issues, including self esteem, how to feel better about oneself, dealing with conflict, and communication;
Trauma; and
Anger.

Counselling sessions are by appointment, and are usually 50 minutes to an hour.

Therapeutic models of counselling

The counselling team may provide a variety of counselling modalities with a focus on what suits you. However, irrespective of the modality, the counsellor is not doing something to you but working with you.

Modalities include:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy;
Narrative;
Solution Focussed Therapy;
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy;
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy;
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy.

What does it cost?

We offer low cost counselling with the fee depending on your situation. The standard Fee is $60, and we ask clients to pay an affordable contribution, however, no-one will ever be turned away for financial reasons.

About our service

Counselling sessions are by appointment, and are usually 50 minutes to an hour. As at August 24th 2020, we are now taking on new clients.

We have experienced and qualified counsellors available to help you with your goals, and to assist you in finding your pathway. We also have intern counsellors available at a reduced fee available to see you. We are a learning organisation for student counsellors from Massey University and Bethlehem Tertiary Institute.

The Counselling Team includes:

Maria - Maira has recently moved to the North Island from Dunedin. She graduated from Otago Polytec in 2019 with a degree in counselling. A particular passion of hers is working with youth and parents.

James – James completed his Counselling degree in 2020 after studues at BTI in Tauranga. James has been with us for three years, having carried out training placements at PNMSS. He has worked with youth in the past, and has enjoying broadening his experience here.

Brenda - Brenda is here 3 days a week after spending some of her training internship with us in 2018 to 2020. Brenda also completed her training through BTI finishing in 2020.

We will place you with the counsellor who we think will best suit your needs.