Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor

18/12/2025

Christmas can be a challenging time.

Please share around the following resources:
The everyweek Fruit and Veg bags (I can vouch for the quality.... and with a Community Services Card the bags are reduced to 13.50) https://www.missiongrocer.co.nz/products/15-fruit-and-veg-bag?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=0b0aca25c&pr_rec_pid=9045058552051&pr_ref_pid=9280758022387&pr_seq=uniform
and!
the incredible Week of Food Kit.

Here's the Food Bag pitch:
Kia ora e te whānau

It’s the final week to purchase your Mission Grocer Christmas Meal Kit 🎁 - and trust us, you don’t want to miss out!

For just $175, you’ll have all your meals sorted over the Christmas week 🎄🍽️. Each kit is packed with groceries and recipes for family favourites like:

🍗 Roast chicken dinner

🍔 Burgers

🐟 Fish and chips

🍝 Spaghetti bolognaise

…plus loads more tasty meals to keep the whānau happy and full all week long! That’s six days of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for four people - it’s a lot of groceries, including loads of fresh produce: strawberries, pineapple, apples, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions and bananas.

🌿 The Mission Grocer is open this week with plenty of fresh produce in store.

🛒 Meal kits can be collected on Monday, 22 December, between 10am – 3pm from the Grocer (or email us to make an alternative time)

⏰ We’ll close at midday on Christmas Eve and reopen on Tuesday, 6 January.

Make this Christmas easy, delicious, and stress-free - let the Grocer stock your pantry and keep the festive spirit flowing! 🎅✨

Visit us instore or online: 6-Day Christmas Meal Kit – Mission Grocer

A fresh, seasonal selection of at least 7 varieties of fruit and vegetables. The mix changes each week depending on availability, but it's always great value. Example of a recent $15 bag: 1 cauliflower, 1 bag of baby spinach, 4 potatoes, 5 carrots, 5 bananas, 5 apples, 5 kiwifruit 📍 Pick-up only:...

11/11/2024

Kia ora tatou,

Just sharing an important insight about our health and well-being.

Sometimes, health practitioners can be helpfully aware of our 'bigger picture'.

However.

Sometimes our 'bigger picture', which may include our previous mental health issues, can be absolutely UNHELPFUL.

Having bi-polar, or depression, or any other previous diagnosis, should never impact our right to have a digestive issue, or any other unrelated physiological issue appropriately attended to.

Please take a couple of minutes to tune into this message. For ourselves, or for our loved ones, or for our community.

And then.

Please share the insight and strength that this short vid encourages.

Nga Mihi,
Lorraine

A history of mental health issues or substance use can cast a shadow that makes it harder for patients to get the health care they need. Learn more about how Overshadowing…

11/07/2024

I can absolutely vouch for these 'I spy' bags. Clients of all ages LOVE them. they are tactile and somewhat weighted: they have 'fiddle bits' on the back and the 'Where's Wally?' kind of challenge for the main entertainment.

They can be made in fabric for little people, and also in fabric which appeals to older peeps.

They are super great for little people, neuro-divergent 'spicy' brains, and also for the elderly.

AND! This supplier is a genuine, home based small trader.

SO! Support NZ local trade....and get some great products!

10/10/2023

Spread the word to all the local women you know!

Kia ora friend,

Bed Bath and Beyond, through The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust, would like to assist a woman from our community in the form of an Assistance Award. They are giving one lucky woman the chance to be the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship to support full-time study for three years.

The awardee must be:
a woman;
a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident;
enrolled full-time in the first year of a three-year degree programme at Manukau Institute of Technology | Te Pūkenga (MIT).

16/09/2023

New funding has allowed Youthline to increase the capacity of its Auckland-based counselling service.

Auckland-based young people 12 – 24 years old can now access eight free counselling sessions with clinically registered mental health practitioners. Sessions can be face to face, phone or online.

This "Counselling Your Way" programme complements Youthline’s existing counselling services. All Youthline’s services aim to address the barriers which young people can encounter when seeking support. All Youthline services are youth-focused, person-centred, accessible, free, and confidential.

Youthline’s therapists are trained to support the many issues that young people are facing. They are also ready to support young people who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression but do not know where to turn. Youthline really wants to reach them and support them.

So!
• Call: 0800 361 416
• Text: 'Choice Counselling' to 234
• Email: youthlinecounselling@youthline.co.nz
• Visit “Face to Face Auckland - Youthline”

(At the moment, this programme is in Auckland. HOWEVER! If the trial period is successful, it may be extended to the rest of NZ.

So! Get support and, by getting support, support other young people!)

To contact me:
Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland
0221 874 057,
through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd
by email nurturinghope@gmail.com
or Private Message me through Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/lorraine.dodd.counsellor/
If we, or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call Police immediately on 111
Or contact the local Crisis Team:
Waitemata (09) 486 8900 (operating 24/7)
Henderson (09) 822 8601
North Shore (09) 487 1414
Auckland City 0800 800 717 (operating 24/7)
Counties Manukau: (09) 261 3700
If we need to talk to someone else, here are some no-charge options:
* LIFELINE 0800 543 354 (open 24/7)
* SU***DE CRISIS HELPLINE 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
* YOUTHLINE 0800 376 633
* NEED TO TALK Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

03/01/2023

2023.

"All I Want to do is have some fun."

Sheryl Crow does this pretty well.

https://youtu.be/hgmBaE1cqD4

But other philosophies dance around `Be good' or 'Do good'.

I think it's a fair mix: Feel Good, Do Good, Be Good.

Each of the three can be supported by our own insight.

But!

Which philosophy do we choose?

Is it the philosophy we've invested in before?

Or is it a new philosophy for a New Year?

In 2023 will we Have Fun? Do Good? Or Be Good?

All are well supported by Philosophers.

Which philosophy will see us through 2023?

Will we, Have Fun,? Do Good? Be good?

Knowing what we intend can be bring all the difference.

The rare original video of Sheryl Crow performing All I Wanna Do.Great vintage song :)

06/10/2022

Our Western Culture.

It draws strength from promoting the concept of Self.

It's so pervasively present in our world and in our values that we don't find it easy to see that it's a lens.

However. It is not Truth.

It's a lens that focuses on certain things. And makes certain things work well.

It's also a lens which minimises others things. And makes other things work less effectively.

The key thing is that it is a lens.

It brings some benefits.

But it is not entirely true.

It's like a filter that we can add to our photos. It highlights some things and minimises other things.

But! it is not Truth.

Other cultures hold other lenses.

And these other lenses bring other Truths into focus.

Other cultures are very comfortable and aware that Community is valuable. Valuable above and beyond Self.

Within Western Culture, wise voices have spoken against our cultural norm, which trends towards individuality. "No person is an island," was first spoken by John Donne (back in time, 400 years ago when women didn't exist ;P)
No man is an island,
entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main.
In these impacting lines, Donne spoke to the dependency that we are all built to have. We are all built to need and depend on others. We are all, merely and powerfully, "a part of the main."

When voices rise up to highlight a Truth, as Donne did, it's almost never because we have all, already, embraced the Truth. When voices speak up, it is to highlight truths that have not been embraced.

And yet here we are.

At least 400 years down the track from Donne, our Western Culture is still holding onto the damaging myth that Individualism can support us to being healthy. Our world is still promoting these, damaging, individualised myths:
"Tough it out."
"Drink a cup of concrete."
"She'll be right."
"I can work it out."

Our Western Culture has brought many wins.

Can we also acknowledge that it has defrauded us in many ways?

Can find it in our Selves to draw on wisdom from other cultures?

Other cultures are built on Community. For other cultures, community, and the need we all have for others, is a foundation of existence.

Even if we don't love the idea of drawing on the wisdom of other cultures, Science is now supporting the importance of connection.

Bessel Van Der Kolk is a world expert on the physiology and psychology of Trauma. He highlights that Recovery will depend on social connection.

If we've tried everything else but we are not happy with the results, how about trying something new?

Why not dare to let others in?

To contact me:
Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland
0221 874 057,
through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd
by email nurturinghope@gmail.com
or Private Message me through Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/lorraine.dodd.counsellor/

If we, or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call Police immediately on 111
Or contact the local Crisis Team:
Waitemata (09) 486 8900 (operating 24/7)
Henderson (09) 822 8601
North Shore (09) 487 1414
Auckland City 0800 800 717 (operating 24/7)
Counties Manukau: (09) 261 3700

If we need to talk to someone else, here are some no-charge options:
* LIFELINE 0800 543 354 (open 24/7)
* SU***DE CRISIS HELPLINE 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
* YOUTHLINE 0800 376 633
* NEED TO TALK Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

28/06/2022

Tread carefully.

During these post Roe vs Wade times, please tread carefully.

It may seem like we know what those around us think.

But.

Do we really?

Do we really know all the paths that all the dear ones around us have been forced to walk upon?

We can often speak loudly and boldly to those around us, or post loudly and boldly, thinking (without thinking) that all those around us will think and agree with all that we think.

But.

Can we really know that?

Might there be some paths that we might never have had to walk, which others have had to walk?

Might there be some nightmares that we have not experienced, which others around us have had to experience?

We post and talk freely and easily of happy times, which warrant celebration.

But do we post or talk of our nightmare times?

As therapists, we hear of many nightmares.

As whanau and friends, we are likely not to know about all the paths that our loved ones have traversed.

I simply encourage us each to approach each other with care.

We cannot know all that another has needed to traverse.

But we can approach others with care and respect.

Let's do what we can to hold the hearts of those close to us with care.

Let's tread carefully.

To contact me:
Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland
0221 874 057,
through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd
by email nurturinghope@gmail.com
or Private Message me through Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/lorraine.dodd.counsellor/
If you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call Police immediately on 111 or contact the local Crisis Team:
Waitemata (09) 486 8900 (operating 24/7)
Henderson (09) 822 8601
North Shore (09) 487 1414
Auckland City 0800 800 717 (operating 24/7)
Counties Manukau: (09) 261 3700
If you need to talk to someone else, here are some options:
* LIFELINE 0800 543 354 (open 24/7)
* SU***DE CRISIS HELPLINE 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
* YOUTHLINE 0800 376 633
* NEED TO TALK Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

30/04/2022

Sometimes it just arrives.

Change.

Sometimes it chugs in, like a runaway train.

And we just have to hop in.

And when this happens, change is just going to carry us forward.

So, so often I see this with clients.

Please.

Let's dare to jump onboard.

Change might feel like a runaway train.

But it will be ok.

( I may happen to be listening to Soul Asylum's Runaway Train.)

To contact me:
Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland
0221 874 057,
through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd
by email nurturinghope@gmail.com
or Private Message me through Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/lorraine.dodd.counsellor/

If you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call Police immediately on 111 or contact the local Crisis Team:
Waitemata (09) 486 8900 (operating 24/7)
Henderson (09) 822 8601
North Shore (09) 487 1414
Auckland City 0800 800 717 (operating 24/7)
Counties Manukau: (09) 261 3700
If you need to talk to someone else, here are some options:
* LIFELINE 0800 543 354 (open 24/7)
* SU***DE CRISIS HELPLINE 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
* YOUTHLINE 0800 376 633
* NEED TO TALK Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

22/04/2022

Not everyone's Easter or Anzac Weekend will track that smoothly.

Sometimes our own family is the source of the hurt and violation which impacts us.

To those whose hurt has come from places it should never have come from, I send love, peace, healing and light.

And I send Dolores.

Whilst these assaults can be unforgivable, none of us need ever be alone.

It can be possible to find support.

Please reach out.

There are Counsellors, there are support networks and ACC, and there can be others.

Arohanui ###

To contact me:
Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland
0221 874 057,
through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd
by email nurturinghope@gmail.com
or Private Message me through Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/lorraine.dodd.counsellor/

If you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call Police immediately on 111 or contact the local Crisis Team:
Waitemata (09) 486 8900 (operating 24/7)
Henderson (09) 822 8601
North Shore (09) 487 1414
Auckland City 0800 800 717 (operating 24/7)
Counties Manukau: (09) 261 3700
If you need to talk to someone else, here are some options:
* LIFELINE 0800 543 354 (open 24/7)
* SU***DE CRISIS HELPLINE 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
* YOUTHLINE 0800 376 633
* NEED TO TALK Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

'No Need To Argue' 25th Anniversary Edition is out 12th November 2020, pre-order here - https://thecranberries.lnk.to/NNTAExpandedIDMusic video by The Cranbe...

26/01/2022

A new year.

A fresh year.

A year which was eagerly anticipated by many, especially towards the end of 2021.

Many of us projected many hopes and dreams onto 2022. And though we're only at the doorstep of February, it may be that some of our projections have already brought disappointment.

So.

What might we now hope for within 2022?

Should we limit hope?

Should we shut down vision?

It's taken me a while to find what I want to wish for us all, for this 2022 which is already stomping ahead.

And I've found it today, in some words by Ally Fig (whose words, I've respectfully, slightly made my own):

May we never be subservient.
May we never fall prey to fitting in.
May we always swirl in all the directions the sacred winds want to take us.
May we never hush our laughter nor our tears.
May we breathe without restriction.
May we show up every single day to the calling that is us.
And may we always know the courage of our heart.

My encouragement for us all for 2022 is for us all to redirect our hopes and visions. My encouragement is that we might hope and envisage wonder and delight for our Selves.

My encouragement, my wish and my vision for us all is that we might find flight, freedom and delight within our Selves.

I hope we might all fly as freely and with the joy and delight of this pure heart in the image below.

Arohanui, dear hearts.

To contact me:
Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland
0221 874 057,
through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd
by email nurturinghope@gmail.com
or Private Message me through Facebook or Messenger