The Auckland Women’s Centre is committed to providing safe, confidential, affordable, and effective counselling. We welcome everyone who is a woman or who feels comfortable in women’s spaces, including our non-binary whānau.
All AWC counsellors receive professional supervision and are either students working towards their qualifications or registered counsellors with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
We have two registered counsellors here at Auckland Women’s Centre. Our registered counselling service is not funded or subsidised – the discounted rates reflect a desire to make counselling affordable for most women.
Cost: $100 per appointment
Venue: In person at AWC or online
Number of sessions offered: Arranged with Counsellor
Read about our registered counsellors, Jane and Veronica, below.
Counselling with one of our student counsellors may cover topics including, but not limited to, mental health, relationships, navigating new identities, gender and sexuality, and parenting. If you are seeing a student counsellor, it is important to understand that they are still in training. As a result, some conditions or situations may be better suited to a registered counsellor or a different organisation. If we believe this is the case for you, we will do our best to provide an alternative recommendation.
Sessions are available in person or online on weekdays between 9am and 3pm. We do not offer after-hours appointments. Please note that we do not provide ongoing or long-term student counselling.
Cost: $10–$40 per appointment. You may choose how much you wish to pay. If the $10 minimum fee is a barrier to accessing our services, please let us know and we will endeavour to offer free sessions.
Number of sessions offered: Six consecutive weekly sessions, held at the same time each week.
Read about our student counsellors, Rebecca, Rhi, Jodie (Birdie), Mia and Olivia, below.
To ensure we offer you the most appropriate support, please provide the requested details in our referral form.
Our Counselling programme runs Monday to Friday, between 9am and 3pm. Please note we are unable to accommodate after-hours appointments. In exchange for accessing low cost student counselling we ask for a weekly, 6-week commitment.
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 ngā Hapu
Ko Nga Puhi te Iwi
No Hokianga ahau
Kei Pukekohe toku Kainga inaianei
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, ACT and person-centred therapies. I hold a degree in Health Science – Counselling and an Arts degree, I am registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)
Come along and let’s kōrero 🙂
Rhi is available on Wednesdays.
Tēnā koe!
I’m Rhi (they/them), a Pākehā, non-binary lesbian living with my one-eyed cat 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 Thursdays.
Hello, my name is Rebecca, a third-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 am grateful for the strong women I have been surrounded by throughout my life, now including the wahine at Auckland Women’s Centre.
Since arriving in Aotearoa in 2004, my experiences have brought me to this work. Through my studies at AUT and my practicum at AWC, I continue to learn to see the world through different lenses and gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse perspectives people bring. These experiences have shaped how I connect with others—something I genuinely value and honour. I have been encouraged and guided in my counselling practice, both by mentors and the principles of Te Tiriti.
I live in South Auckland with my husband and our two teenage sons. 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!
Birdie is available on Tuesday.
Kia ora and welcome, I’m Birdie (she/they), a queer, non-binary, neurodiverse creative, living in a tiny cottage with a
rambunctious cat and a sweet old gentleman of a bunny.
I was raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, with family roots in Whakatū. My ancestors come from Ireland,
Scotland, and Denmark.
Outside of study, I love swimming in the ocean, gardening, and playing bass.
A central part of my path into counselling comes from the years supporting my family, being the anchor
in stormy weather and the coach cheering from the sidelines. Through this experience and also working
alongside a therapist who supports neurodiverse families , I learned a lot about myself, and I believe
learning to listen to our nervous systems and finding ways to nurture it, can help greatly with stormy
moments of our lives.
My counselling worldview is grounded in intersectional feminism, & my sessions are LGBTQIA+ friendly,
where queer, non-binary & transgender individuals are welcomed.
My hope is that you feel seen, supported, and safe, and that our work together helps you move through
life with greater clarity, confidence, and connection to yourself and your life.
I look forward to meeting you
Mia is available on Tuesday.
Kia ora, my name is Mia. I am a woman, wife, daughter, sister, aunty, and proud mother of two beautiful children. I grew up in South Africa, where the smell of African rain and the rumble of summer thunderstorms are part of my story. Now, Aotearoa is the place my heart belongs to, and this whenua and its tangata have taught me the meaning of belonging and care.
I’m in my second year of a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in counselling. My background in creative and relational work has nurtured an intuitive, empathetic approach and a passion for understanding human experience and connection.
Becoming a mother was a profound turning point for me. It opened my eyes to the many ways women navigate change and the systemic forces that shape women’s wellbeing and autonomy – whether through birth, motherhood, relationships, identity, health, loss, or decisions about their bodies.
My counselling approach is person-centred, grounded in feminist and Te Tiriti-based values. I aim to create a space that is safe, inclusive, and respectful, where your voice matters and your experiences are valued. I look forward to walking alongside you as we explore what healing and empowerment might look like for you.
Olivia is available on Friday.
My name is Olivia, and I am a second-year counselling student at AUT, currently completing my placement. I was born in Red Beach, Auckland, and grew up in a large family with six brothers. My heritage is Kiwi and Dutch, and I now live on the Hibiscus Coast with my partner and our cat, Sage.
I have a background working as a massage therapist and experience collaborating alongside allied health professionals within the health and wellness sector. This work has deepened my appreciation for holistic wellbeing, the mind–body connection, and compassionate client-centred care, which I now bring into my counselling practice.
Therapy has been an important part of my journey since my teenage years, supporting my growth, self-awareness, and healing. Because of this, I am passionate about creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported. I work collaboratively and draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Outside of study and work, I enjoy reading, yoga, strength training, hiking, beach swims, and spending time with family and friends. I am very grateful for the opportunity to support members of the community and am especially passionate about expanding my work within the community to support and empower women.
