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Penelope
Somatic Therapist | Couples & Trauma-Informed Work
Penelope
Introduction
Penelope is a Registered Social Worker and Somatic Therapist supporting couples who feel stuck in repeating arguments, emotional distance, or breakdowns in communication.
She works with couples navigating conflict cycles, trust ruptures, disconnection, and the strain that life transitions, stress, and change can place on a relationship. Many couples come feeling like they are “losing each other,” struggling to repair after hurt, or unsure how to find their way back to connection.
Her approach blends evidence-based therapy with somatic awareness, nervous system regulation, and embodiment practices to support deeper understanding, emotional safety, and meaningful reconnection. Sessions create space to slow down reactive patterns, rebuild communication, and restore a sense of presence and closeness in the relationship.
If you to learn more or to make an appointment, feel free to contact me via the Send a message - button.
Online therapy
Online Therapy Sessions
Online sessions are designed to feel safe, connected, and supportive from the comfort of your own home. Sessions are held via WhatsApp video or audio call.
You will need:
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a stable internet connection
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a quiet, private space
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a device with WhatsApp installed
Sessions integrate the same trauma-informed and somatic approaches offered in-person, including nervous system regulation, embodiment practices, and tailored therapeutic support.
Brief check-ins between sessions may also be available within agreed professional boundaries.
Qualifications and registrations
Registered Social Worker | Somatic Therapist | Trauma & Relationship Work | Embodiment Practitioner | Yoga Teacher (500hr)
Supporting couples and individuals to move through conflict, disconnection, and emotional overwhelm toward deeper connection, communication, and repair.
Registrations
Penelope is listed among the couples counsellors in Invercargill.
Therapy languages
Specialisations
- 1. Communication Difficulites
- 2. Intimacy & Connection
- 3. Navigating Transitions
- 4. Conflict Resolution
- 5. Relational Trauma/Past Wounds
- 6. Trust & Boundary Issues
- 7. Attachment Style/Inner Child
- 8. Sexual Connection & Desire
- 9. Grief, Loss, Stressors
- 10. Building Healthy Partnership
Specialisations and Expertises
Penelope specialises in supporting couples experiencing communication breakdown, emotional disconnection, conflict cycles, trust ruptures, and the impact of life transitions on relationships.
Her work focuses on helping couples slow down reactive patterns, understand underlying emotional dynamics, and rebuild connection and intimacy through greater awareness, communication, and emotional safety.
She integrates somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, and embodiment-based practices with relational counselling to support deeper reconnection, repair, and growth within partnership.
Most Treated Issues
The couples she works with most often seek support for breakdowns in communication, emotional disconnection, intimacy challenges, and difficulties during major life changes.
We explore deeper relational healing, uncover unconscious patterns, and cultivate greater harmony and connection within partnership.
Expected Number of Sessions
While every couple’s journey is unique, most notice meaningful shifts within 3 sessions especially when they engage actively with practices between sessions. Short-term focused work may be possible for specific issues (e.g. a communication block), whereas deeper healing of long-standing patterns often benefits from longer-term engagement, that may look more like 8+ sessions.
Most common issues I support people with:
Relational Communication & Understanding
Supporting couples to move through misunderstandings, express needs clearly, and listen with greater presence and empathy.
Life Cycles & Relationship Transitions
Guiding couples through change, including new beginnings, conflict, stagnation, separation, and renewal.
Connection, Intimacy & Embodiment
Supporting reconnection through somatic practices that deepen presence, intimacy, breath, and embodied awareness.
Healing Patterns & Relational Wounds
Working with attachment patterns, shadow dynamics, inner child responses, and repeating relational cycles.
Strengthening Partnership & Shared Growth
Supporting couples to rebuild trust, deepen partnership, and co-create a shared sense of direction and meaning together.
Therapies offered
Issues I can help with
- Adultery, affair, infidelity
- Attachment issues
- Autonomy in relationship
- Blended family
- Boundaries & Codependency
- Cheating
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Cultural differences
- Different Goals
- Emotional infidelity
- Family problems
- Fear of abandonment
- Insecure in relationship
- Intimacy issues
- Jealousy
- Lack of connection
- Marriage problems
- Midlife crisis
- Parenting Stress
- Relationship anxiety
- Relationship fights
- Separation & Divorce
- Sexual Issues
- Stress & Work
Fees
Couples Therapy
60 minutes – $180 incl GST
A somatic and trauma-informed approach supporting communication, connection, and relational repair.
Sliding Scale Couples Sessions (limited spaces)
$140 – $160 incl GST
Available for couples experiencing financial hardship.
Individual Sessions (between couples work)
60 minutes – $120 incl GST
Trauma-informed somatic therapy supporting emotional regulation, processing, and integration.
Sliding Scale Individual Sessions (limited spaces)
$80 – $100 incl GST
Available for clients experiencing financial hardship.
Concessions
A small number of reduced-fee spaces are available for students and those on low income. Please enquire if you would like to discuss availability.
Payment Methods
Bank transfer prior to session, or cash for in-person bookings.
Invoice after session
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations on the day of the appointment time will incur the full session fee, unless due to emergencies.
Availability (Opening hours)
| monday | - |
| tuesday | 9-4 |
| wednesday | 9-6 |
| thursday | 9-4 |
| friday | - |
| saturday | - |
| sunday | - |