Mrs Teresa Van Der Merwe
Licensed Professional Counselor
“I am an NZAC Registered Counsellor (B.Couns) specializing in working with children, youth, adults, families, and relationships facing various challenges, including autism, ADHD, trauma, sexual abuse, and complex relational dynamics. With a compassionate, culturally responsive approach grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā and”
About Me
Approach
Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.
Services
Life can feel overwhelming, especially when you're expected to hold everything together. Whether you're battling anxiety, navigating burnout, or simply feeling stuck, counselling offers a space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
I offer a calm, confidential environment where you're free to be fully heard, without judgment, pressure, or “fixing.”
Services Offered:
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Art Therapy
A form of therapy that uses visual art-making (drawing, painting, sculpture) as a means of expression and emotional processing.
Learn more about Art Therapy - •
Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.
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Advocacy
Services that help individuals navigate healthcare, education, or social systems to ensure their mental health needs are recognised and met.
Learn more about Advocacy - •
Coaching
A goal-oriented practice focused on identifying objectives, overcoming obstacles, and taking action, centred on the present and future rather than past difficulties.
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Counseling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counseling - •
Crisis Counseling
Immediate, short-term psychological support during an acute mental health crisis such as a panic episode, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming distress.
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Divorce Counseling
Counselling for individuals or couples going through separation or divorce, addressing the emotional, practical, and relational dimensions.
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Relationship Counseling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
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Mediation
A structured process in which a neutral third party helps people in conflict reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Learn more about Mediation - •
Personal Development
The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.
Works With:
- •All ages
- •Communities
- •Elderly
- •Families
- •Groups
Area of Expertise
Scope of Practice:
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Abuse
Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.
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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 - •
Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety - •
ADHD / Attention
A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about ADHD / Attention - •
Autism (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.
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Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder - •
Cancer Support
The psychological and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis on the individual and their loved ones, including fear, grief, and adjustment to treatment.
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Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.
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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 - •
Family Issues
Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.
Professional Title:
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Licensed Professional Counselor
A counselor licensed to provide professional mental health services including assessment and therapy.
Qualifications
Manukau Institute of Technology
Registrations
New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)
Counsellor
