Counselling in Christchurch

Helping individuals and couples navigate anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, neurodiversity and religious trauma.

Develop practical skills, deepen self-understanding and create lasting change.

How I Can Help

Therapy can help you understand what's happening, recognise patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical skills for change. I work with individuals and couples across a range of concerns, with sessions tailored to what matters most to you.

green leaves representing trauma and anxiety counselling

Anxiety & Trauma

Understand patterns, manage overwhelm and develop practical strategies to feel more grounded.
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Couples Counselling

Improve communication, understand conflict patterns and build a stronger connection.
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Neurodiversity

Understand your neurodivergence and develop practical strategies that work for you.
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Religious Trauma & Cult Recovery

Deconstruct your experiences, reconnect with who you are and find your own way forward.
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Meet Alisa

I know that reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step. My aim is to make therapy a place where you can feel comfortable being yourself, talk openly about what's going on, and know that you won't be judged.

I see counselling as more than simply talking about what's wrong. Together we'll make sense of what you're experiencing, explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and find practical ways to help things feel different.

My style is warm, down-to-earth and collaborative. I'll listen, but I'll also ask questions, share ideas and help you develop skills you can take with you into everyday life.

I bring more than 20 years' experience in mental health, alongside training in counselling and creative arts therapy. I work with individuals and couples, adapting the way we work to suit you, your experiences and what you want to achieve.

What You Can Expect

Therapy isn't just about talking. We will work together to understand what is happening and find strategies you can use in everyday life.

Tailored to You

There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Sessions are shaped around you, your goals and what works for you.

Neurodiversity Affirming

Different ways of thinking and experiencing the world are understood and respected, not treated as something that needs fixing.

Experience You Can Trust

More than 20 years' experience working alongside people navigating mental health, relationships and significant life challenges.

Alisa is absolutely amazing! She made it so easy for me to open up without ever feeling judged. Thanks to her I've learned practical ways to navigate situations when my emotions feel overwhelming. I feel like a completely new person because of our sessions, I am so grateful for her help.

What Clients Say

Alisa has been amazing, she takes the time to explore and dive deeply into problems and thoroughly works through and find effective ways to manage and improve situations. I found that she approached all the things I brought up from an unbiased and nonjudgmental point of view.

5/5 stars - would highly recommend Alisa to friends and family.

I originally went to Alisa to help come to terms with the onset of a life-changing chronic illness...She approaches our sessions with a sensitivity and understanding that I expect she demonstrates across all her (considerable) areas of expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in a first session?

Your first session is really about getting to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s brought you to counselling, what’s happening in your life at the moment, and what you’d like to be different. You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to work on, we can figure that out together. By the end, we’ll have a clearer idea of what you need and where we might start.

How do I know you are the right counsellor for me?

How often do I

need to attend counselling?

Finding the right counsellor is personal. Research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between you and your counsellor is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy. It’s important that you feel comfortable, understood and able to be yourself.

You’re welcome to ask questions, talk about what you need from counselling, and decide whether my approach feels right for you. There’s no pressure to continue if it doesn’t feel like the right fit.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people find weekly sessions helpful, particularly when they’re working through something difficult, while others prefer fortnightly or less frequent sessions. We can talk together about what feels manageable, useful and affordable for you.

Counselling doesn’t need to be an open-ended commitment. We’ll regularly check in about how things are going and whether you’re getting what you need from our work together.