Unique Beginnings

20/08/2025

I might actually be enjoying presenting research findings that create space for conversations about experiences of birth trauma.
Who would have thought!
I had the opportunity to present today to Raukawa Whanau Ora Well Child Hui🫶

15/08/2025

For the last 3 years I have been utilising Interactive Drawing Therapy as a process within counselling sessions. 🌀 it is not what you think!
🌀 people say things like: but I can’t draw? I am not an artist!
🖍️ The great thing about IDT is you do not need to be.
🖍️ people have been surprised by what they experience within just one session. What do you think?
Get in touch if you are curious or want to know more 🫶
https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/counselling-distress-trauma-anxiety/

12/08/2025

Taking the opportunity to clear the mind, move my body and be close to water. This is just one way that to take time to care for myself, what are yours?

12/08/2025

Located in feilding 🫶

11/08/2025

Last year I completed the Vicki Culling Associates course, which helps professionals to support families/whānau who experience the loss of their babies and the dream of who they would be.

Even though I was completing the Masters of Counselling program at Massey. Supporting infant loss requires an even deeper understanding. Working with Vicky and others supported me to hear directly from those who experienced loss, what helped and didn’t help. Exploring experiences from trying to conceive, early loss, medical or natural loss and those born sleeping.

This is not an experience that as a mother I have encountered, however loved ones around me have. Our culture is working to find ways to honour and acknowledge these precious souls. These beautiful farewell cocoons are available.

Know that there is SANDS support groups scattered around NZ. However if you wish to connect with a counsellor this is an area I feel honoured to support people through.

No one persons journey is similar. We all value and belief different things. This is important to remember if you are traveling through this.

Please reach out for support
https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/birth-story-listening/

31/07/2025

Yesterday was such a powerful day of reflection and sharing of creating research and findings. I got to share about my own journey as a researcher , utilizing Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT) as a reflexive tool and researching ‘how the experince of a traumatic affects a women’s sense of self’. Sharing the experience and findings with Massey University’s Masters of Counselling students was such a honour.

13/07/2025

Birth Trauma Aotearoa awareness week starts up tomorrow. What’s your 50 for 50?

Birth Trauma Awareness Week starts tomorrow!

We’re again inviting people to take part in our ‘50 for 50’ campaign 💙

50 for 50 is all about raising awareness of the prevalence of birth trauma, as well as acknowledging and honouring Aotearoa’s birth trauma community.

50 for 50 invites you to do 50 of something over Awareness Week, as a reflection of the number of women/birthing parents impacted by psychological birth trauma PER DAY in Aotearoa.

Research tells is that 1 in 3 Mums report their birth as emotionally traumatic – in Aotearoa, that’s 50 Māmā PER DAY 💙

Your 50 doesn’t need to be complicated or big and it’s totally up to you what you do.
Take a look at our posts for ideas of things you could do.

And, let us know if you get involved!
We love seeing the 50 things people do to send some aroha to our community 💙

11/05/2025

🤍

Ngā mihi me te aroha nui mō te Rā o Māmā.
Happy Mother’s Day to those who carry their child/children in their hearts rather than their arms. Thinking of all these special Mum’s today 💜🧡

10/05/2025

Love goes out to all Mothers today.

Today we celebrate Mothers 💙

And at Birth Trauma Aotearoa we particularly acknowledge, and send aroha to, those Mums impacted by birth trauma.

We know today may be triggering, for a variety of reasons for different people, so please go gently on yourself 💙

Arohanui,
The Birth Trauma Aotearoa team

08/05/2025

And just like that ( after 4 years), Masters of Counselling completedted🌀🤍.

I am so happy with how the learning I have gained has solidified the work that I am doing within Unique Beginnings. Check out my website https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/

I am still providing perinatal support in holistic birth preparation & lactation consultancy so reach out.

07/05/2025

Today was a massive day of achievement for myself. I had the privilege of meeting with a group of health coaches and health improvement practitioners from Think Hauora to present my thesis findings.

This was a beautiful experience, where I was able to observe those present engage in the themes and reflect on their own understanding and develop new understandings.

Creating spaces for self reflection is something I take great pride in as a counsellor. These experiences are so powerful.

Today I also gathered my graduation outfit for tomorrow. You might see me out and about celebrating with friends and family 🫶❤️🌀

09/04/2025

The sign is up at one of the locations that I work from🌀. Perhaps tomorrow I can show you inside, would that be helpful?