Do some things in your life make you anxious? Depressed? Uncertain? Are you facing a difficult decision, or coming to terms with a crisis? Do you struggle with habits that you know aren’t good for you? Counselling can help with any of these.

We all hold the answers within ourselves, but often our habitual ways of thinking blind us to what we already know. Counselling can help uncover our hidden wisdom and set us on the path to overcoming our difficulties.

Sometimes one session is all it takes to turn things around.

Introducing Stephanie Hills

Stephanie Hills has had nearly forty years’ experience working with people in distress, both as a social worker and a counsellor. A large part of her work has comprised using narrative and art therapy to help people move on from depression, eating disorders and other long-term problems. She has also worked successfully with children and with couples experiencing relationship difficulties.

What can I expect from counselling?

Counselling is an opportunity to explore your life’s issues in a confidential, respectful and accepting atmosphere. The counsellor may use various techniques such as art or movement, or may ask questions that help you think about your difficulties in a new way. The aim is to help you find ways forward that suit you, and free you from restricting ways that you may have been looking at things.

What are my rights?

You have a right to respect and to be treated with care. If you are unhappy with anything the counsellor says or does, please talk to the counsellor about your concern. If you are still unhappy, you can make a complaint to the New Zealand Association of Counsellors or the Health Consumer Service.

Confidentiality

Anything you say in counselling stays between you and the counsellor and will not be passed on to anyone else. The only exception is if the counsellor has a valid concern that you or someone else is in imminent danger (eg if you have made a serious threat to harm yourself or someone else.) In this case the counsellor has a responsibility to ensure safety and may contact an appropriate authority. Normally the counsellor would talk to you about this first.

Supervision

As part of professional ethics, all counsellors must have regular supervision, in which they meet with a supervisor to discuss their work. The counsellor may talk to the supervisor about her work with you, but will do so in a way that does not disclose details that could identify you. The purpose of the discussion is to improve the counsellor’s work.

Housekeeping

Sessions last approximately one hour.

To book a session phone or text 027 323 5438 or email steph@shcounselling.co.nz.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let the counsellor know as soon as you can. If you fail to let the counsellor know you are not coming, you may be charged for the session.

Counselling room is located in Silverdale, Hamilton. Off-street parking is available.

Fees

$100 per session (including GST)

$60 for students and Community Services Card

Supervision: $100 +GST per session

Payment can be made in cash or by cheque at the end of each session, or by direct deposit into the bank account within 2 days of the session. Please ask for banking details if you wish to pay this way.

Receipts will be given for all payment.

In some cases funding is available to cover counselling.