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Philip
Counsellor
Philip
Online Counselling & Family Therapy
I offer a supportive, confidential space where we can explore what’s happening for you and work towards meaningful, lasting change. My approach is integrative and grounded in person-centred counselling, helping you build stronger foundations in yourself and in your relationships.
I work with individuals and couples experiencing anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, or a general sense that things aren’t quite where they could be. Sessions focus on understanding your experience, developing insight, and finding practical ways forward at a pace that feels right for you.
Sessions are available in person at Highland Park Community House in East Auckland or online via Zoom, depending on your preference.
If you would like to know more or arrange a session, feel free to contact me using the Send a Message button.
Phil
Online therapy
I offer online counselling sessions via Zoom, providing a secure and confidential space similar to in-person work. Online sessions allow flexibility while still supporting meaningful therapeutic progress.
Phone sessions are also available if you prefer a voice-only format — you simply call me at the scheduled time.
Qualifications and registrations
Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Counselling (2008)
BA (Hons) Combined Studies – Psychology (2001)
Coaching Certificate – Eban Pagan & Annie Lalla (2020)
I have been a qualified Counsellor since 2008 and have been running my private counselling practice since 2010.
I am a Full Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (MNZAC) and work in alignment with NZAC ethical guidelines.
Registrations
Philip is listed among our online counsellors.
Therapy languages
Specialisations
- 1. Depression
- 2. Anxiety
- 3. Relationships
- 4. Stress and Burnout
- 5. Grief and Loss
- 6. Anger Management
- 7. Self-Esteem
- 8. Boundaries
- 9. Personal Growth
- 10. Couples Counselling
Specialisations and Expertises
I support individuals and couples who are experiencing relationship distress, anxiety, low mood, grief, or challenges around boundaries and self-esteem. My approach combines established counselling practice with practical coaching skills to help you understand what is happening beneath the surface and move forward in a grounded, sustainable way.
Some people come for short-term support around a specific issue, while others choose to work together over a longer period for deeper therapeutic change. Sessions are collaborative, respectful, and paced according to your needs.
Most common issues I support people with:
Relationship difficulties & communication
Anxiety & stress
Depression & low mood
Self-worth & confidence
Healthy boundaries & personal growth
Fees
My fees are as follows:
Individual Counselling
$1550 – 10 session package
10 × 55-minute sessions, usually weekly or as agreed together. This structured format supports deeper therapeutic progress and sustained change.
$155 – Initial consultation (55 minutes)
Suitable if you would like to meet first before committing to ongoing work.
Couples Counselling
$1650 – 10 session package
10 × 55-minute sessions focused on strengthening communication, clarity, and relational growth.
$165 – Initial consultation (55 minutes)
An opportunity for us to explore your goals together and discuss the best way forward.
Easy payment options may be available — please contact me to discuss.
Sessions and programs are to be paid before sessions.
All sessions are non-refundable. Changes require 48 hours’ notice; otherwise the full session fee applies.
Availability (Opening hours)
| monday | 9am - 8pm |
| tuesday | 9am - 8pm |
| wednesday | 9am - 8pm |
| thursday | 9am - 8pm |
| friday | 9am - 6pm |
| saturday | - |
| sunday | - |
Phil is a dedicated Counsellor
Phil is a dedicated Counsellor and has diligently continued his professional development by specialising in offering support to people recovering from destructive relationships.
Tim P | Newcastle | January 31 2024
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Tips posted by Philip:
- Topic | Tip
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Remember your reaction is normal and PTSD is not rare
- Relationship issues | Dealing with betrayal and the two ingredients needed
- Relationship issues | Tolerating emotional difference without trying to fix
- Relationship issues | Take responsibility for yourself before the relationship
- Stress | Stop trying to eliminate stress completely
- Stress | Reduce overwhelm by focusing on one meaningful action
- Burnout | Prioritise Self-Compassion
- Burnout | Set Realistic Boundaries
Interview
Read the interview with Philip.
Practice
1. Where is your practice (office) located?
In-person sessions are available at Highland Park Community House in Auckland (subject to room availability).
Online sessions are available via Zoom.
Phone sessions are also available at an agreed time (you call me).
2. What life events have been important to you?
Studying Psychology and completing my degree in 2001 laid the foundation for my lifelong commitment to understanding people and supporting meaningful change.
Completing my Counselling Diploma in 2008 marked the beginning of my professional journey working directly with clients.
Immigrating to New Zealand in 2009 was a significant life transition that deepened my appreciation for resilience, identity, and building a new life with purpose.
Personal milestones such as completing my first marathon in 2013 and building a family life with my partner have continued to shape my understanding of growth, commitment, and balance.
3. Why did you become a counsellor / therapist?
I developed a strong interest in psychology early on and completed my degree in 2001. I have always been naturally empathetic and deeply interested in understanding what helps people grow, heal, and move forward.
My own experience of personal therapy played an important role in shaping my direction. It helped me ground my life and clarified my calling to support others through meaningful change, just as I had experienced myself.
My own experience of personal therapy played an important role in shaping my direction. It helped me ground my life and clarified my calling to support others through meaningful change, just as I had experienced myself.
Since then, becoming a counsellor has felt like a natural extension of who I am — work that I feel deeply aligned with and committed to.
4. What do you like the most about being a counsellor/therapist?
What I value most about this work is seeing how meaningful change can grow from small but important moments of insight. I enjoy supporting people to reconnect with their emotions, develop a clearer sense of who they are, and begin taking more empowered steps in their lives.
It is incredibly rewarding to witness someone move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed toward feeling more grounded, peaceful, and confident in themselves and their relationships.
5. What is your most remarkable experience as a counsellor/therapist?
Rather than one single remarkable moment, what stands out to me is the consistent process of change that happens over time. Every person I work with brings their own story, challenges, and strengths.
What I find most meaningful is supporting someone to deepen their self-understanding, connect more fully with their emotional world, and begin making changes that feel authentic and sustainable. Seeing these gradual shifts unfold is what makes this work so worthwhile for me.
Life
1. What was your most pleasant moment today/yesterday?
Today it has been walking out to the marina near where I live. I feel grateful to live in such a beautiful part of New Zealand, and being able to walk by the beach most mornings helps me stay grounded and present. These simple moments of connection with nature are important for my own wellbeing and balance.
2. How do you see yourself in 5 years? And in 10 years?
In the next five years I see myself continuing to deepen my counselling practice, supporting both individuals and couples to build stronger emotional foundations and more meaningful relationships. I aim to keep growing professionally through ongoing learning, supervision, and experience while maintaining a balanced and sustainable way of working.
Looking further ahead, I see myself continuing to contribute to the counselling field through my practice, writing, and teaching, while maintaining a grounded personal life here in New Zealand. My focus is on long-term consistency — helping people create real, lasting change rather than quick fixes.
3. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy regular walks by the marina and coastline near where I live, staying active through gym training, and spending quality time with my partner and family. I also enjoy films, reading, and ongoing learning in psychology, wellbeing, and personal development. Maintaining a balance between movement, reflection, and connection is important to me.
4. What makes you happy?
Simple, grounded moments — being outdoors, meaningful conversations, growth in my work, and spending time with loved ones. Seeing people move forward in their lives and relationships also brings me a strong sense of fulfilment.
5. Do you have a partner and/or family?
Yes, I have a partner and am part of a re-partnered family. Family life is important to me, and I also value my role as a committed uncle. These relationships continue to shape my understanding of connection, communication, and personal growth.
6. Have you ever had therapy / counselling yourself? What was your experience?
Yes — personal therapy has been an important part of my own growth and development. It helped me deepen my self-awareness, ground my life direction, and strengthen my capacity to be present with others. Having experienced the counselling process myself allows me to genuinely understand what it feels like to sit in the client’s chair, which continues to inform the way I work today.
7. What other occupation would you have liked, if you hadn't become a counsellor / therapist?
I feel deeply aligned with counselling, so it’s difficult to imagine a completely different path. If I hadn’t become a therapist, I likely would have moved into related areas such as psychology-informed education, mental health support work, or professional writing and teaching within the healthcare and wellbeing field. My ongoing experience as a Psychiatric Assistant has also shaped my understanding of people, resilience, and the importance of steady, compassionate support.
Inspiration
1. Who inspires you?
Over the years I’ve come to see inspiration less as following particular figures and more as learning from thoughtful thinkers, experienced mentors, and meaningful life encounters that help shape how I work. My professional growth has been influenced by supervisors, colleagues, and therapeutic authors whose work emphasises understanding human nature, responsibility, and deep psychological insight. I value grounded mentorship and real-life experience over trends, and I continue to refine my approach through ongoing learning, reflection, and clinical practice.
2. Books you recommend?
A therapy book that has stayed with me over the years is Set Yourself Free by Shirley Smith. I found its exploration of shame, family dynamics, and personal responsibility deeply insightful, and its ideas have remained relevant to my work decades later. I value books that encourage thoughtful self-reflection and a deeper understanding of relational patterns, as these often support meaningful change both within therapy and in everyday life.
3. Your favourite film and why?
I don’t tend to have just one favourite film, but Back to the Future has always stayed with me. I’ve long been interested in themes of time, choice, and how small decisions can shape our direction in life. It’s a film that connects with a sense of curiosity, humour, and possibility, and I still enjoy revisiting it from time to time.
4. Your favourite quote?
"The only educated person is the one who has learned how to grow and change." Carl Rogers
5. What is your mission?
To help people work through inner distress, strengthen their relationships, and move towards a more grounded, authentic way of living.
6. What is your superpower?
A strong ability to listen deeply, combined with empathy, intuition, and the capacity to notice patterns that help people move forward with clarity.
7. Top tip for happiness?
I don’t believe there is a single tip to “feel happy.”
What I encourage instead is learning to listen to what you are genuinely feeling and to become curious about it rather than trying to force a particular emotional state. When we understand ourselves more deeply, a greater sense of calm and fulfilment often follows naturally. And if you’re struggling, reaching out for support can be an important first step.