Hana Counselling and Education

29/04/2026

At Hana Counselling, we use Naikan not as a practice of self-criticism,
but as a process of exploring the meaning within life's experiences.
Not what was right or wrong.
Not what was good or bad.
👉What has this experience left within you?

23/04/2026

A gentle reflection.

Not to find answers.
Not to force meaning.

But to begin noticing.

Healing is not always about changing the past.

Sometimes,
it is about changing how we are with it.

👉 CTA
Save this for a quiet moment.

16/04/2026

There is a quiet pressure to “heal” by moving on.

To feel better.
To let go.
To become someone who is no longer affected.

But healing does not always look like that.

Some experiences do not disappear.
They remain — in the body, in memory, in how we relate to the world.

At Hana Counselling, we work with the Mud Lotus Model,
a clinical framework developed by our director, Ai Kihara.

We do not begin from removing pain.
We begin from understanding.

👉 Save this if this feels true for you.

13/04/2026

The Mud Lotus Model is a clinical framework for understanding trauma :
not simply as a problem to be solved,
but within the context of a person's whole life.
It is not about fixed or broken.
Not about good or bad.
It is about sitting together and asking .
What meaning does this experience hold within your life?

10/04/2026

Join us for a joyful 💃🏾 and energising ⚡ West African inspired dance session facilitated by dance movement therapist Kris Walsh. This welcoming session draws inspiration from West African dance 🌍🥁 and is offered in a spirit of respect 🤝, connection 💫, and community 🧡.

No dance experience is needed — every body is welcome 🙌

West African dance is known for its vibrant rhythms 🥁 and expressive whole body movements 💃🏾✨. It offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your body 🧘‍♀️, warm up during the colder season ❄️➡️🔥, explore rhythm 🎶, release stress 🌿, and experience the joy of moving together in a supportive community space 🤝.

This session is open to the community 🌈 and designed to be inclusive, interactive and fun 🎉

📅 Wednesday 29 April 2026
⏰ 1:00–2:00 pm
📍 New Lynn Community Centre (Main Hall)
45 Totara Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland 0600
💲 Free event
Tap link bio for more info of this event

09/04/2026

“The Mud Lotus Model: A Cultural–Relational Framework for Trauma, Identity, and Risk Assessment with Japanese Clients.” 🌿

This paper explores how trauma and risk cannot always be understood through individual-focused models, and highlights the importance of culture, relationships, and meaning-making in psychological practice.

The Mud Lotus Model introduces the concept of relational risk, where risk and protection may exist not only within the individual, but also within relational and cultural contexts.

You can read the full article here:
👉 https://www.hanacounselling.com/article/-the-mud-lotus-model-a-culturalrelational-framework-for-trauma-identity-and-risk-assessment-with-japanese-clients

More resources are also available on the Hana Counselling website.

I would love to hear your thoughts. 🌱

This paper proposes the Mud Lotus Model, a cultural–relational framework for understanding trauma, identity, and su***de risk among Japanese clients. Conventional trauma and risk assessment approaches are largely based on Western individualistic models, which may not adequately capture relational ...

30/03/2026

Every spotlight felt like a threat. Until it didn't. 🎧💛

At Hana Counselling, we want to share a story that reminded us why we do what we do. 🌿
One of our clients: a performer :came to us caught in a painful cycle. Every single time before stepping on stage, a panic attack would take over. The thing they loved most had become their biggest source of fear. 💔
Sound familiar? You are not alone.
Together, we began their healing journey in three gentle but powerful steps:
✨ Self-affirmation: Each day, we worked on reprogramming how their brain approached the day ahead. By intentionally visualising how things could go well, we helped activate and strengthen the brain's natural capacity for calm and confidence.
🌿 Trauma counselling: We explored the deeper roots beneath the panic. Because panic attacks rarely come from nowhere, they carry a story. Carefully and safely, we uncovered it together.
🤍 Arugamama: Drawing on the Japanese therapeutic concept of accepting things as they are, our client learned to stop fighting their anxiety and instead allow it to exist without resistance until, gradually, it lost its power.
The result? The panic attacks stopped. 🦋
And they walked back onto that stage as themselves, fully and freely. ✨
This is what healing looks like at Hana Counselling. It's not always fast. But it is always possible. 💛
👇 Does this resonate with you or someone you know? Save this post or share it. It might be exactly what someone needs to see today.
👉 Ready to take your first step? Link in bio.

27/03/2026

Sometimes you don’t need therapy — you need the right coach.

Meet our Professional Coach at Hana Counselling,
Andie Morton (they/them).

With years of senior leadership experience, ICF-backed coaching, and strong Agile expertise, Andie brings a unique blend of strategy and heart to every session. 💛

Proudly non-binary and deeply passionate about supporting rainbow communities 🏳️‍🌈, Andie creates a safe and empowering space where you can show up as your full self.

curious about coaching? feel free to DM us or email admin@hanacounselling.com
to learn more.
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24/03/2026

Feeling overwhelmed? Try this right now. 🦋

The Butterfly Hug is a simple, science-backed technique you can use anytime you feel anxious, stressed or overwhelmed. 💛
It's a bilateral stimulation technique — meaning it uses rhythmic tapping on both sides of the body to help your brain feel balanced and grounded. Think of it as a gentle reset when your emotions feel like too much. Facebook 🌿

Try it now:
🦋 Cross your arms over your chest
🦋 Tap your shoulders gently — left, right, left, right
🦋 Breathe slowly and deeply
🦋 Repeat until you feel calmer

That's it. Simple, free and surprisingly powerful. 💛
Save this post for the next time you need it. 🌸

20/03/2026

What if healing felt like dancing? 🎶
Move, Feel, and Dance - A Gentle Therapeutic Dance Session 🎶
Sometimes the deepest healing doesn't start with words. It starts with movement.
This session is a free gentle therapeutic dance session designed for absolutely everyone! No experience, no pressure, just a safe and joyful space to reconnect with yourself. 💛

Here's what to expect:
🎨 A creative "Where Do I Feel?" body awareness activity
🌿 Gentle stretching and slow therapeutic movement
💃 A short, simple guided dance
📅 10 April 2026
🕙 10:30 am
📍 Epsom Library, Auckland
195 Manukau Rd,Epsom,Aucland

Free to attend. No registration needed. Just show up! 🌸
👉 Tap the link below to find out more.

17/03/2026

Behind every workshop is a whole lot of heart — and a really talented team. 🎵
Here's a sneak peek at our rehearsal, where our Dance Movement Therapy specialist, music composer and PTSD therapist come together to craft something truly special for you.
Our workshops engage all five senses and are designed to offer real, professional-level therapeutic support in a warm and welcoming group setting. 🌸
Because healing doesn't have to happen alone — and it doesn't always have to look like a therapy room. 💛
📩 Curious? Reach out or tap the link in bio.