Mission

PTSD Navigators NZ strives to provide compassionate support, guidance, encouragement, and the practical tools to facilitate positive change for anyone who may be struggling to find a way through the unique stressors and difficulties associated with re-occurring/treatment-resistant PTSD.

Goals

To walk alongside you in your recovery journey through PTSD and associated stress-related issues. I believe everyone has the intrinsic capacity to learn, grow, and heal … and the ability to successfully build better, contented lives for themselves and their families. I found a way through the PTSD mine-field … you can too!

How I work

I will walk alongside you in your recovery journey, providing compassionate support, guidance, and encouragement. I primarily work from the Cognitive Processing Therapy model (CPT) which is an evidence-based trauma-focused therapy that seeks to provide the individual with the necessary tools and understandings to challenge and amend unhelpful psychological 'stuck-points' related to the trauma. In so doing, the person creates a new, more accurate understanding and conceptualisation of the traumatic event(s) that helps to facilitate lasting positive change and recovery. We focus on 5 specific themes (Safety - Trust - Power and Control - Self-Esteem - Intimacy) that dramatically affect survivors of trauma and can make it hard for them to recover. CPT will help you recognise the negative beliefs that interfere with your recovery from trauma. These 5 themes are explored with how someone views oneself, as well as others, and the world around them. That said, I endeavour to tailor my approach to suit each individual's particular set of needs, blending and adapting elements of various evidence-based practices and interventions where applicable.

I hold a Master of Health Sciences specialising in Men's Health and an applied Bachelor's Degree in Addiction Studies and Counselling. I have completed specialised training in Psychological First Aid/Crisis Intervention and 'Moving Forward: Overcoming Life's Challenges'. Apart from my own lived experience with Complex PTSD and various addiction issues, I have worked as a Case Manager/Counsellor/Volunteer at the addiction/mental health 'coalface' for many years, in different treatment settings, i.e. clinical, pastoral, residential, and compulsory (court-ordered). I keep up to date with the latest research/breakthroughs in PTSD and addiction treatment approaches and undergo monthly clinical supervision to ensure ongoing ethical and professional service delivery and practice.

Do any of the following sound familiar:

• Emotional distress, anger, short-tempered, irritable/aggressive behaviour?

• Cognitive distress, mental fatigue, difficulty concentrating and processing new information? 

• Breakdown in interpersonal relationships, loss of trust, loneliness, isolation, loss of interest in significant activities?

• Does the work/home environment become a very stressful place for you?

• Physical distress, headaches,  back pain, sore muscles and joints, stomach and bowel problems?

• Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, night sweats, shortness of breath.

• Frequent illnesses, colds/flu, allergies, gout/joint inflammation?

• Continued/increasing use of alcohol or drugs despite the negative consequences they bring into your life?

Initial Steps

Step 2

Many people find ‘surviving the daily grind trying to make ends meet’ overwhelming, incredibly stressful, and time-consuming… unfortunately, this is an unwelcome reality of modern-day living. It can be really challenging and difficult to find the time, space, or place to work on yourself … but when it comes to addressing re-occurring and debilitating symptoms of PTSD and other stress-related issues we must ‘take’ the time to do so.

I have dedicated counselling rooms in Darfield and Rolleston. I also offer online counselling through Zoom.

Please contact me to proceed …

Disclaimer

This service aims to support, motivate, educate, and inform anyone who may be struggling to find their way through the many unique difficulties and obstacles that can be associated with PTSD and other stress-related issues. This service does not provide individual medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. It does not provide emergency services.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 111 immediately.

If you are in emotional crisis/concerned about the immediate welfare of someone else, call Healthline 0800 611 116.

To speak with a crisis counsellor call Lifeline 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357.

If you need to talk free call or text 1737 any time to speak with a crisis counsellor.