Paola

Paola Montanaro

Registered Counselor

Paola Montanaro holds an NZ Master in Clinical Psychology. MNZAC Counsellor ACC registered Counsellor EMDR certified Therapist (MEMDRNZ) FEAP Psychotherapist (in Spain) Currently in private practice in Blenheim.

About Me

Paola Montanaro provides a calm, supportive space where clients can explore difficult experiences. Certified in EMDR, she helps individuals process challenging memories, fostering stability. Her training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and attachment informed EMDRoffers a gentle way to understand inner parts. This approach helps those navigating past difficulties or seeking deeper self-compassion. Clients find her blend of established techniques and compassionate guidance provides a clear path towards emotional well-being.

Approach

Holding an NZ Master in Clinical Psychology and EMDR certification, I guide therapy with steady pacing and clear collaborative goals so clients feel contained while we work through distressing material. In my Blenheim practice and via secure online sessions I offer conversation, targeted EMDR processing and gentle parts-based explorations, often pairing in-session work with simple between-session reflections to build safety and continuity. This way of working tends to suit adults or couples facing trauma, grief or relationship strain who want practical, compassionate change.
Contact Paola

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Supervision for professionals Adults Individual therapy Couples therapy

Services Offered:

  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

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  • Supervision

    Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.

    Learn more about Supervision
  • Therapy

    Professional treatment for mental health concerns, providing a structured space for insight, emotional processing, and behavioural change.

    Learn more about Therapy
  • EMDR

    Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, a therapy that uses guided eye movements to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories.

    Learn more about EMDR
  • Family Therapy

    A form of therapy that works with family members together to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships within the family system.

    Learn more about Family Therapy
  • Individual Psychotherapy

    In-depth one-on-one therapy that explores the deeper roots of a person's difficulties, often drawing on psychodynamic or psychoanalytic models.

  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • Somatic Psychotherapy

    A form of therapy focused on the connection between mind and body, using body awareness and movement to release held tension, trauma, and emotion.

  • Trauma Counselling

    Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.

    Learn more about Trauma Counselling

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Couples

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Grief & Loss

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.

    Learn more about Grief & Loss
  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • ADHD / Attention Difficulties

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention Difficulties
  • Adoption

    The process of legally becoming a parent to a child who is not biologically yours, which can raise complex emotions around identity, attachment, and belonging for all involved.

  • Alcohol Use / Addiction

    A pattern of alcohol consumption that has become harmful to a person's health, relationships, or ability to function day-to-day.

    Learn more about Alcohol Use / Addiction
  • Anger

    An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.

    Learn more about Anger
  • Anorexia

    An eating disorder characterised by severe food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, and a distorted perception of one's own body size or shape.

    Learn more about Anorexia

Professional Title:

  • Registered Counselor

    A counselor who is formally registered with a professional or regulatory body.

Qualifications


University of Turin

Registrations


New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)

Counsellor

Service Area


therapy tides

In-person & Online

Riversdale

Marlborough District, Marlborough

New Zealand

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