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Sarel | Couples Counsellor
Introduction
Sarel – Counsellor
Welcome. I’m Sarel, a registered counsellor with NZAC, holding a degree in Psychology and a deep commitment to supporting individuals and couples through life’s most challenging experiences. My practice is based in Tauranga, where I offer face-to-face counselling in a private, safe, and inviting office space—designed to feel welcoming, warm, and supportive from the moment you arrive.
I specialise in working with clients who have experienced trauma, relationship difficulties, sexual abuse, career challenges, and general mental health concerns, offering a compassionate, non-judgmental space to explore pain, build understanding, and find pathways to healing. I understand how past experiences can affect your present life, and I aim to support you in reconnecting with your strengths, resilience, and sense of self.
My approach integrates both evidence-based psychological practices and culturally responsive frameworks. I work with Māori supervision and draw on Te Whare Tapa Whā, ensuring a holistic understanding of well-being that honours the balance of taha wairua (spiritual), taha hinengaro (mental), taha tinana (physical), and taha whānau (family/social).
I utilise a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, tailoring my approach to meet each client’s unique needs and preferences.
In our sessions, you will find a space where you can safely explore difficult emotions, process complex experiences, and develop strategies to cope and thrive. Whether you are navigating grief, trauma, relational challenges, career transitions, or general mental health concerns, my aim is to provide support that is empathetic, professional, and tailored to your unique journey.
Your path to healing is unique, and I am here to walk alongside you, providing guidance, understanding, and professional support in a private and welcoming Tauranga environment.
Online therapy
Online Therapy at My Practice
At my practice, I offer online counselling sessions using Microsoft Teams in a secure and confidential environment. Online therapy provides the same quality of support as face-to-face sessions, allowing you to engage in counselling from the comfort of your own home or another safe space.
All sessions are conducted with full consent and in accordance with Health system guidelines, ensuring your privacy and wellbeing are protected. During sessions, you will receive the same compassionate, professional support as in-person counselling, with tailored interventions to help you explore emotions, work through challenges, and develop coping strategies.
Online therapy is suitable for clients who prefer remote access due to location, mobility, or convenience, while maintaining the same standards of safety, confidentiality, and therapeutic care.
Qualifications and registrations
Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Communication Science degree (cum laude)
Lifekeepers certification in suicide and prevention
Trained in Sexual abuse and trauma
Maori modalities and supervision
Registrations
- NZAC - New Zealand Association of Counsellors
- NZAPP - New Zealand Association of Positive Psychology
I offer therapy in
Specialisations
- 1. Communication Problems
- 2. Infidelity and Trust Issues
- 3. Intimacy & Sexual Difficulties
- 4. Major Life Transitions
- 5. Parenting Conflicts
- 6. Financial Conflicts
- 7. Pre-marital Counseling
- 8. Divorce and Co-parenting
- 9. Narrative
- 10. Person centered
Specialisations and Expertises
Couples Counselling
Relationships can bring immense joy and connection — but they can also face challenges that leave partners feeling distant, hurt, or misunderstood. In couples counselling, I provide a safe, supportive, and neutral space where both partners can express themselves openly and work toward rebuilding trust, understanding, and connection.
I work with couples experiencing a range of relationship difficulties, including:
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Communication Problems: Understanding and reshaping unhelpful communication patterns, reducing conflict, and restoring emotional connection.
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Infidelity and Trust Issues: Supporting couples through the pain of betrayal, addressing emotional wounds, and guiding the process of healing and rebuilding trust.
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Major Life Transitions: Helping couples navigate significant life changes such as parenthood, career shifts, relocation, illness, or loss, while maintaining unity and understanding.
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Pre-Marital Counselling: Preparing couples for marriage by exploring values, expectations, and potential areas of conflict to build a strong foundation for the future.
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Parenting Conflicts: Helping parents align their approaches, manage differences, and strengthen family relationships through collaboration and shared goals.
My approach draws on Person-Centred and Narrative Therapy, with elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Te Whare Tapa Whā, ensuring that both individuals feel heard and supported in a culturally safe and inclusive way.
Couples counselling offers a pathway to renewed connection, deeper understanding, and healthier communication — whether you’re working through challenges, recovering from betrayal, or simply seeking to strengthen your relationship.
I suggest between 6-10 sessions but this may differ from couple to couple
Most common issues I support people with:
- Communication Problems: Addressing poor communication patterns, frequent arguments, and emotional withdrawal.
- Infidelity and Trust Issues: Guiding couples through the healing process after betrayal, addressing emotional trauma, and working to rebuild trust.
- Major Life Transitions: Helping couples adjust to significant changes such as parenthood, career shifts, relocation, illness, or loss.
- Pre-marital Counseling: Preparing couples for marriage by exploring expectations, values, and potential future issues.
- Parenting Conflicts: Bridging differences in parenting styles and family dynamics to present a united front.
Therapies offered
- ✓ Couples coaching
- ✓ Couples counselling
- ✓ Gottman Relationship Therapy
- ✓ Imago relationship therapy
Areas of counselling I can help with
- ✓ Addicted to love
- ✓ Adultery, affair, infidelity
- ✓ Attachment issues
- ✓ Cheating
- ✓ Closed or open relationship
- ✓ Commitment phobia
- ✓ Communication problems
- ✓ Cultural differences
- ✓ Divorce & separation
- ✓ Emotional infidelity
- ✓ Fear of abandonment
- ✓ I want a relationship
- ✓ Insecure in relationship
- ✓ Intimacy issues
- ✓ Jealousy
- ✓ Love sick
- ✓ Marriage problems
- ✓ Midlife crisis
- ✓ Relationship anxiety
- ✓ Relationship fights
- ✓ Self love
- ✓ Sex addiction
Fees
$120 (excl. GST) per hour.Longer sessions can be accomodated at an agreed rate (which will be discounted accordingly).
Availability (Opening hours)
| Monday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Saturday | - |
| Sunday | - |
Photos
Contact me
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- ✓ 60+ Relationship Counsellors
- ✓ In New Zealand, also online
- ✓ Marriage & Couples therapy