Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Moana te waka
Ko Ngāti Pakeha rāua ko Māori Kūki 'Āirani ōku iwi
Nō o Rahuipokeka au
Ko Waihōpai tōku kāinga
Ko kaiawhina mo nga Rangatahi me kaiārahi ōku mahi
Ko Svedlund me Campbell ōku ingoa whanau
Ko Robert tōku pāpā
Ko Karina tōku māmā
Ko Eliezer tāku pēpi
Ko Amy tāku ingoa
I am Amy Williams a trained counsellor with a personal understanding of the power of lived experience. I am a second generation New Zealand born kiwi, with multi-ethnic heritage. Born and raised in the North Island, though Southland has been my home for the past 12 years and there is nowhere else I would rather be. I have a background in youth work, faith ministry and community collaboration. I believe in each person's intrinsic ability to overcome hardship with the acceptance and guidance of safe and trusted support people. I aspire to help people feel empowered to live fulfilling and hope filled lives with courage. I am committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by way of partnership, participation and protection working cross-culturally to bridge the gap between generations and cultural diversities. My work empowers clients to see their capacity to grow and move through challenges and change with openness and positive self-regard. I see people as the hero in their own story, regardless of where they have come from, what they have been through, or how hard the road is! I work from an ethically sound and safe standpoint, I engage in regular and ongoing professional supervision and adhering to the NZAC code of ethics so that my clients feel heard, accepted and safe on their therapeutic journey. Utilising my skills and years of experience for the welfare of all people, my work is Trauma informed, strengths based, working from an integrated model of practice. I care about the holistic wellbeing of each person and my work encompasses a range of tools and strategies that help people connect with themselves to manage times of challenge, distress and overwhelm. This includes but is not limited to Solutions focused, TA, Attachment theory, DBT, Te Whare Tapa Wha, Creative Arts Therapy and other tools and strategies to help empower clients to thrive. I offer consultancy and advocacy in the youth and social service sector and my long term goal will be working towards ACC accreditation. I also have experience in public speaking, group facilitation and program development. When I am not working I enjoy cooking, singing or going on spontaneous adventures and road trips. I have an epic therapy cat named Missy who keeps me grounded. I love being in nature, connecting to the whenua and embracing all that life has to offer. I am a risk taker, a justice seeker and wholeheartedly love people and life!
