Toni Finlayson

Counsellor

Supporting people to make positive changes in their lives

Welcome

Whether you are experiencing depression or anxiety, family or relationship issues or trying to manage work demands and life stress, it takes courage to ask for help. Admitting you can't do everything on your own is the first step towards achieving wellness. A counsellor can provide you with a fresh perspective on your challenges and work with you to find tools and strategies to help you live the life you want to live.

Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges for us to navigate. Many people are struggling to find the motivation to do the tasks they could once easily do, or are battling with feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. Others may have lost their jobs and are faced with the feelings of fear, loss and the lack of purpose that that brings. The trauma of Covid may have triggered other past traumas and you may feel that now is the right time to address these. We will work at your pace to process what's going on from a holistic perspective and help you come to a place of peace and acceptance.

About Me

I am a Pākehā New Zealander, Mother and Partner, and have spent the past 15 years working in the mental health and addictions field, following a career in the business world. I believe that everyone is the expert in their own lives, but there are times we need support when the challenges become overwhelming.

I have my own experience of alcohol addiction, anxiety and depression, which gives me an understanding of the pain and suffering these experiences bring and knowledge of what is involved in the journey to wellness.

I welcome people of all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations and gender identity.

About Me

I welcome people of all ethnicities and cultures.

Areas of Special Interest

Drug, alcohol, sex, porn and other addictions counselling, couples counselling, trauma and abuse, adolescents' issues, mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, grief and loss, relationship and intimacy issues, men's issues, medical/health issues, workplace issues and work/life balance.

Contact me for a confidential chat to see if I am the right counsellor for you on 027 697 3418.

My Approach

I don't believe in a one-size fits all approach. I use a strengths-based, holistic approach incorporating aspects of narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing and solution-focussed therapy to help people bring about change in their lives, and to maintain that change. I am also trained in Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping) and BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®). I will work at your pace, in a confidential and non-judgemental manner, supporting you to achieve your goals for counselling.

Counselling Services

What I offer

Couples Counselling

Has your life become so busy and overwhelming that your relationship has slipped down the priority list and you are now living more like flatmates than a couple? Are you looking to improve or rescue your relationship or trying to recover from an affair? Or do you just need some tips on how to communicate better? I will create the space and ask the questions that enable change to take place. I use a range of counselling modalities to support couples, in particular Presence Oriented Relationship Therapy (PORT) created in New Zealand.

Addiction Problems

Have you been told you have an addiction problem, but you are not sure you have? Failed your workplace drug test and been told to get help?

We can look at how your substance use is affecting your life and that of those around you. We can discuss what changes, if any, you want to make. We can look at what's behind your using, and in particular consider the effects of stress and trauma in your early years. We can complete the standard international assessments or a narrative-based assessment. Together we can make a plan of action that is realistic for you.

If required, I can connect you to community detox and rehab facilities and work with you when you come back into the real world, which can be an overwhelming experience. This may include face-to-face counselling, phone calls and texts to support you in your recovery. I can also offer group support so you can be with others in a similar situation.

For Partners and families affected by a loved one with addiction

I can work with partners and families on the best way to support your loved one by educating about addiction and working on communication, self-care and developing boundaries.

Trauma Counselling

I provide trauma informed care in a safe setting, where I will work with you gently and kindly at your pace. You may have experienced the trauma of physical, emotional or sexual abuse as an adult or a child. Whatever the situation, processing the trauma in counselling can be a difficult but life-changing experience. Trauma can impact you not only mentally, but physically and spiritually. We will work together to help you resolve trauma symptoms and relieve chronic stress by resetting your nervous system. I use somatic therapies to calm pent up emotional charges that have become trapped in the nervous system as anxiety and hyper arousal states. Alongside this I use BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®).

Other Concerns

I can work with you on the life challenges you may currently be experiencing, and we can look at tools and strategies to help you move forward. Many people are currently feeling stuck in this difficult, unpredictable time of Covid and the things that you were looking forward to and which gave your life meaning may now be a distant memory. Going out into this current Covid environment can create fear and anxiety. We can work together to help you reflect, reset and refocus.

Qualifications and Registration

Bachelor of Health Science in Applied Mental Health
Graduate Diploma of Addictions
Postgraduate Diploma of Counselling
Certificate of Supervision
Dapaanz Registered Addiction Practitioner
Member, Registered with NZAC

Fees

Individuals: $130 (incl. GST), Couples and Families: $150 (incl. GST).

Appointments available: Mondays to Saturdays daytime and evenings.

Sessions are one hour.

Payment options: Internet banking or cash.

Cancellation: Please ensure you give at least 24 hour's notice or you may incur a cost.

Contact Me

Suite 6, Level 2
Premier Building
4 Durham Street East
Auckland Central

Phone: 027 697 3418
Email: toni@tonifinlayson.co.nz

Also available online via Zoom

Support Services & Useful Links

Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Samaritans: 0800 72 66 66
Youthline: 0800 376 633, or free text 234
24/7 Counselling Line: 1737
Safe to Talk (Sexual Harm Helpline): 0800 044 334
Depression and Anxiety Helpline: 0800 111 757

12steps.co.nz - gives info on how 12-step programmes such as AA work and lists all the meetings in NZ.
alcohol.org.nz - provides information, advice, research and resources to help prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.
drughelp.org.nz - contains info, resources and advice about drug use.
www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz - info about problem gambling in NZ and how the helpline can help.
www.netaddiction.co.nz - help and resources for computer gaming addiction in NZ.
www.thefix.com - an international website about addiction and recovery.
www.smartrecovery.org - an international self-empowering addiction recovery support group providing an alternative to 12-step programmes.
livingsober.org.nz - an online community aiming to support drinkers to stop drinking.