Counselling with Rachel Hanover-O'Connor
Effective
I do Solution Focused Brief Therapy. We work out detailed descriptions of what you want, your strengths, and when things have gone well. This approach is actually much more effective than focusing on what's going wrong for building useful solutions.
ADHD & Autistic friendly
I enjoy working with neurodivergent clients. In particular, I have a good understanding of the strengths, challenges, and differences that ADHD & Autistic clients may encounter.
Queer affirming
I'm passionate about providing a safe, welcoming counselling experience for clients from the rainbow community. I helped run an after school social group for LGBTQIA+ teens for several years.
Qualified
I have a Masters in Counselling from the University of Canterbury & am a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. I have been counselling since 2014.
Services
Counselling sessions are usually 1 hour but can be longer or shorter if needed.
Solution focused sessions are fairly self contained - my hope is that people can do exactly as many or few sessions as they want. Some people find the most change on a particular issue happens over 3-4 sessions, but it's super variable. People are welcome to come for just a single session, or long term if you find it useful to do so.
You are welcome to include any support people you want. Relationship counselling is also available and is the same price. Counselling can be online or in-person (in Christchurch).
Some examples of what people come to talk about include:
Managing stress, anxiety, low mood, or anger; study or work; partnerships (including people in non-traditional/poly relationships), friendships, & family relationships; discrimination; body-positivity and/or body-neutrality; coping skills; making big decisions; coping with bullying; grief and loss; working out who they are & what they want, and more.
I enjoy working with both adults and young people, but am not trained in working with younger children. Some of my strongest areas are: anxiety and stress management, burnout, and working LGBTQIA+ people, autistic people & people with ADHD.
More info | bookings
Solution focused counselling - $95 per session*
About me
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Ko Pōrana, Hurai, Ingarangi, Kōtirana, me Aerana te whakapaparanga mai,
Ko Ōtautahi te whenua tupu,
Ko she/her ōku tūkapi
Ko Rachel Hanover-O’Connor tōku ingoa,
Tēnā koutou katoa.
Kia ora, I'm Rachel! I'm enthusiastic, understanding, and a bit of a nerd. I use she/her pronouns. My cultural background is Pākehā. I live with my wife and some rescue houseplants in Dallington. I love trying new things (and have made my peace with the ADHD craft graveyard!). Right now I'm most enjoying gardening, tabletop roleplaying, and painting. I have a side job at a garden center - feel free to say hi if you see me.