Meeting a counsellor for the first time can be quite hard. What will they be like? Will they 'get me'?, will they judge me? All of these are normal, understandable questions. So it might be helpful if I shared a little about me. I have been working as a counsellor since 2009. For most of that time I was part of the team at Te Aroha Noa Community Services, but in June 2018 I moved into private practice, working from an office in my home. I am married (to Esmae) and have two adult children and four 'mokopunas' (grand children). Prior to counselling I had a varied working life in technology in both New Zealand and overseas, including running an IT business in Taupo. From 2003-2008 I pastored a small Baptist church in Kaikohe and from 2008-2019 served as a part-time chaplain at Manawatu Prison, alongside my role as a counsellor at Te Aroha Noa Community Services. I value walking alongside people as they work through difficulties and problems and love seeing them develop lives that are more fulfilling and meaningful. I particularly value working with couples and clients for whom their faith and spiritual beliefs are an important part of their lives. I believe the saying that "you can't judge a book by its cover" and I appreciate working with men and women who have experienced the 'tough side of life'.