The Auckland Women’s Centre is committed to providing safe, confidential, affordable and effective counselling/psychotherapy. We welcome everyone who is a woman or who feels comfortable in women’s spaces, including our non-binary whānau.
All AWC counsellors are professionally supervised and belong to a professional body.
Enquire about one of our two registered counsellors here at Auckland Women’s Centre. Sessions with Jane or Veronica cost $100. Our Counselling Service is not funded or subsidised. The discounted rates reflect a desire to make counselling affordable for most women. If you are able to pay more, please let us know, or you can negotiate this with the counsellor.
We currently have four student counsellors on placement here at Auckland Women’s Centre. We request a koha between $10 and $40 per session for student counselling. It is up to your discretion how much you wish to pay. Payment can be made via cash or EFTPOS before your session. If a $10 charge is still a barrier for you to access our services, please let us know and we will endeavour to offer free sessions.
We currently have one student psythotherapist with us at Auckland Women’s Centre.
Psychotherapy supports individuals dealing with various mental health concerns, ranging from mild to severe. Whether it’s for brief intervention or long-term growth, psychotherapy considers the full context of a person’s life, encompassing social, cultural, relational, and spiritual aspects. In therapy, the focus isn’t on what’s “wrong” with you, but on understanding what has happened to you and viewing your experiences with compassion and empathy. Psychotherapy can be a powerful, life-changing experience which can help you to improve your mental health, overcome social or emotional challenges, break harmful patterns, cultivate healthier relationships, and fulfill your potential.
Student psychotherapy runs with our student Jessi, who is trained to work with clients for about 10 weeks. We charge $10-$40 per psychotherapy appointment. Please reach out to us if finances continue to be a barrier.
Auckland Women’s Centre’s counselling service is predominantly staffed by student counsellors/psychotherapists. To ensure we offer you the most appropriate support, please provide the requested details in our referral form. Because we are staffed by students, it is important to understand that there are certain conditions or situations that we are not equipped to address effectively and ethically. Concerns such as depression, anxiety, and stress exist on a continuum, and students are able to provide support at the lower end of the continuum. Should we determine that another service may better suit your needs, we will reach out to provide recommendations.
Our Counselling/Psychotherapy programme runs Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4pm. Please note we are unable to accommodate after-hours appointments. We will prioritise clients who can make a weekly commitment of 6 weeks for counselling, or 10 weeks for psychotherapy.
If you need to cancel your appointment please provide us with one’s days notice of cancellation. Cancellations less than one working days’ notice can expect to be charged for the appointment.
To enquire about our services, please complete this self-referral form.
Jane Tyrer has worked as a counsellor, social worker and in a range of social service roles for the last 30 years. She enjoys supporting people to navigate their way through difficulties, clarify their values and strengths and find enthusiasm for new possibilities. She believes that counselling is a respectful, negotiated process that highlights skills, resources and insight and that it can offer a place to explore challenges from fresh perspectives and facilitate positive change.
Jane has helped women through all sorts of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, disordered eating, body image issues, relationship, parenting concerns and abuse. Counselling can be optimistic and hopeful without minimising the very real difficulties and challenges that people face.
Jane holds a Diploma in Holistic Counselling (Holos Institute) and a Graduate Diploma in Narrative Counselling (Unitec). She is a Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (MNZAC).
Veronica is available on Mondays and Wednesdays
Ko Te Ramaroa a Kupe te Maunga
Ko Hokianga te Moana
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te Waka
Ko Pakanae te Marae
Ko Maraeroa te Whare Tupuna
Ko Ngati Korokoro, Ko Ngati Wharara me Te Pouka te Hapu
Ko Nga Puhi te Iwi No Hokianga me ahau
Kei Pukekohe toku Kainga inaianei
Ko Veronica Cusack toku Ingoa
Ko Lilian Cusack raua ko Ruby Cusack aku kotiro
Tēnā koutou katoa
Kia ora,
My name is Veronica Cusack (she/her). Like a lot of people, I wear many hats. I’m a mum, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a registered counsellor! I have always lived in a larger body and I’m passionate about spreading messages of body positivity. My goal is for you to feel seen, heard and accepted with the hope that will help you to take on the difficulties that life produces. I have a particular interest in narrative, transaction analysis and relational therapies.
Come along and let’s kōrero 🙂
Jessi is available on Fridays
Kia ora, my name is Jessi Williams. I grew up in Mount Maunganui, but like many of us from small towns (it was back then), I adventured abroad as soon as I was old enough. Working and travelling throughout Europe and the States brought richness to my life and a deep appreciation for different cultures and cultural practices, shaping my worldview. I now call Tāmaki Makaurau home and am currently studying for my Master in Psychotherapy at AUT.
I’m a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community and welcome humans from all communities, cultures, sexual orientation and gender identities. I am a wife, a mother to a 16-year-old boy with Down syndrome and have three cats. I walk through life with a curiosity for the world, a willingness to learn, patience, empathy, kindness, and a healthy sense of humour. I also have a deep passion for the arts and have spent much of my life in the film and television industry, both in front of and behind the camera.
The arts have set me up well for Psychotherapy; it is a profession that necessitates malleability while walking in someone else’s shoes, demands an open heart, and requires the capacity to hold someone else’s story without judgment. I bring these qualities to my work in Psychotherapy, along with compassion, understanding, and empathic listening in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment. We all have unique histories, challenges, and aspirations; I hope to help you work through these while facilitating healing that enhances your personal strengths.
Caroline is available on Mondays
Kia ora, Talofa Lava.
My name is Caroline Fuarosa Park-Tamati. I am of Samoan decent on both sides of my lineage. My mothers aiga come from Poutasi, Falealili and my fathers aiga come from Malie & Vailutai, Upolu. I am a second-year adult student majoring in counselling. I am 43 years old.
Raised by staunch feminist social justice activists in Ōtautahi Christchurch, I relocated to Auckland to pursue a dream of becoming an artist. I have a background in music and have always had a deep love and interest in people. My hope in counseling is to assist in holding space in my client relationships as we traverse the many layers of experiences that make up the complicated webbing of our human lives. I hope to listen and add value through the empowerment of identity discovery.
I am a mother of a 19-year old young man and aunty to many nieces and nephews. I am a proud dog mum and wife. I hope to be of authentic service to all those who meet with me.
Afio mai. You are so very welcome.
Sarah is available on Fridays
Hello! My name is Sarah Simpson (she/her) and I am a woman who has found her ‘why’ at the ripe age of 44. I am currently in my 2nd year at AUT completing a degree in Health Science – Counselling.
I have lived a very full life which has included amazing moments, and heartbreaking moments, and through it all, I would regularly see my own counsellor to help navigate my way through. To be a soft landing for other women to heal and grow collaboratively will be an honour.
I am a Mama to two beautiful children, a 17 year old son and 12 year old daughter. I am divorced from their Dad, and now proudly belong to the LGBTQ+ community.
I am an extroverted introvert – I love people, but also crave solitude to recharge which is a true gift from my own healing. I am a fierce feminist who is dedicated to helping women find their inner strength and the power to face the world on their own terms. I want to provide safe space for you to be able to express yourself and achieve your goals, no matter what they might be. I come from a place of no judgement, only love and acceptance for who you are and what your story is.
I really look forward to meeting you.
Rhi is available on Thursdays, starting from March 2025
Tēnā koe!
I’m Rhi (they/them), a Pākehā, non-binary lesbian living with my partner and our four pets in Maungawhau. I moved to Aotearoa when I was 10 years old, after living in the UK, Canada and the US. My heritage is English, Irish and Scottish. I’m in my second year of a Bachelor of Health Science (Counselling major) at AUT. When I’m not studying or working, I love to read (my current favourite genre are Black Mirror-y sci-fi, horror, queer stories, and Māori fiction) – I worked for Auckland Libraries for six years and now work part-time in a bookshop. I also love to write poems, spend time with my friends, and go for bush walks.
Therapy has always been a central part of my own healing, empowerment and joy; so I am delighted and honoured to be able to walk alongside clients in their journeys. I hope to bring my clients a sense of nourishment, warmth, empathy, and safety. I also aim to recognise the privileges I hold in the counselling room, as a Pākehā, able-bodied counsellor from a financially stable background. I hope to blend therapeutic modalities to find what suits you, and I favour a relational and decolonising approach.
I’m excited to meet you!
Rebecca is available on Mondays, starting from March 2025
Hello, my name is Rebecca, a second-year counselling student at AUT. I was born and raised in the small town of Portlaoise, Ireland. I am one of five children from a large extended whanau; our home was a busy welcoming place to all. I have gratitude for the strong women I have been surrounded by throughout my life; their influence encourages and guides me.
Since arriving in Aotearoa in 2004 my experiences have led me to the study and practice of counselling. Connection with all people is something I honour. I am excited about the opportunity to develop my counselling skills and deepen my understanding of community needs by working closely with experienced professionals at AWC. This experience will provide invaluable insights into the unique challenges women face and the resources available to encourage change.
I live in South Auckland with my husband, our two teenage sons, and our dog Lucy. I’m part of a walking women’s group, love music/singing, sharing stories, food and laughter. I am committed to this safe and supportive environment and believe that every story matters and that everyone deserves to be heard. I look forward to meeting you.
