Rach Littley: Counsellor

07/01/2026

Hey I'm Rach 👋🏼
Counselling is back for 2026 - and whether you’re new here or we’ve crossed paths before, I figured it was time for a quick re-intro.

I’ve been in this mahi for 15+ years (yes really 🙊), and it's led me to work alongside rangatahi and those navigating big behaviours. These days, I specialise in youth and neurodivergent support, especially where things like regulation, impulsivity, exec dysfunction and overwhelm are part of the picture.

Fun fact: I used to do this same kind of work but with adults — helping them build behavioural support systems from the other end. While I still offer parenting support, I’m most passionate about working directly with young people themselves.

If you asked me what my favourite development theory is, I’d probably debate between:
📚 Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model - everything we interact with feeds back into us)
📚 Erikson’s psychosocial stages - people move through social-emotional stages that build identity, resilience, and a sense of self through age-appropriate challenges.

𝗠𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲:
That more people recognise big behaviours as a signal of overstimulation and a lack of coping options - not a fixed part of who someone is.
That our young people know their responses don’t define them.
And that people stop using someone’s behaviours against them — because that, too, is a behaviour… and often a sign of weaponised emotional unintelligence.

Swipe for a little more about what I value in this space 🫶🏼

24/12/2025

The festive season has a funny way of bringing nostalgia to the surface — and with it, a quiet awareness of all the things that have changed since the last time the tree was up. The people, the moments, the versions of Christmas we thought we’d have.

For those grieving of Christmases they wish they had when they were younger, and are still experiencing triggers this time of year, or who feel a bit disconnected at this time of year — it really does get better. You’re allowed to reclaim the holiday, to shape it into something that feels safe, warm, and your own ✨

So if your Christmas today looks a little different, merry Christmas. I’m glad you’re here, and I hope you get to do something small that brings you fun, comfort and makes you smile.

16/12/2025

Routines are changing, noise is up, lights are flashing, expectations are shifting, people are visiting, and the "norm" goes out the window. Even for kids who love the festive holidays, it’s a LOT. Especially for a nervous system that tends to get overloaded this time of year.

Nervous system support works best proactively, not reactively. That’s why we’re rolling out this little mini-series with psychoeducation and tips to help you stay one step ahead.

✨Want an example on how to make your own flexi schedule? Drop a 🗓️ in the comments.

03/12/2025

To be clear, counseling will still be running during this time, just consolidated into a few days a week - so no recurring appointments for those weeks 😊

03/12/2025

Kirihimete hours - we will be doing holiday Kaupapa from 19 Dec to 12 Jan.

An email will be sent out later this week.

15/11/2025

𝗣𝗦𝗔: 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 = 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘄𝗵𝗶 🌿
I need to be super honest: I’m now heading into my third week of being on and off sick - and I’m wrecked, and sooooo over it 😭

I’ve said this in newsletters and in our first sessions, but it’s time for a reminder:
If you or your child is unwell, please stay home or request an online session instead. This includes mild symptoms like “just a little sniffle.”

As someone with an autoimmune condition, I get sick super easily. And when I do, it’s not a one-day thing - it takes literal WEEKS to recover. And this doesn’t just impact me, it means many other rangatahi miss out on the support they need because I can’t physically or mentally show up, as well as impacts our vulnerable community.

The Footnotes:
❌ If a child is brought to session sick, they will be sent home immediately.
💸 You’ll still be charged the full session fee.
✅ Online is always an option if needed.

Please help me protect the space - so I can keep showing up for everyone in it 💛

10/11/2025

We have another Rongoā Māori practitioner on board at our Whau Valley clinic, who also does massage - including Lymphatic drainage!

10/11/2025

Uhh...uh oh, someone locked me out of my counselling room (it's me, I'm someone 🙈🙊)

28/10/2025

There was a time where I had a personal vendetta about talking through my problems; I didn’t feel like the adults around me got it, and the thought of trying to explain out loud? Immediate No.

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 became one of my main outlets.
And it turns out, research backs up what many of us already knew: music can be a powerful mental health tool, especially for rangatahi who struggle to name or share what they’re feeling and/or don't feel secure enough to share:

🎧 It lowers anxiety and heart rate
🎧 Regulates mood & emotion
🎧 Helps you feel seen and connected
🎧 And gives language to things that feel too big or blurry to put into words

It’s safe. Familiar. And it doesn’t ask you to be anything but in it.
While music isn’t a fix-all (and shouldn’t be the only tool in your kete), it is a really valid and useful one - especially when things feel overwhelming, having some form of safe expressive tool is an absolute must.

14/10/2025

05/10/2025

A little refresher before we get stuck into Term 4 ✨
Please note for Mahi Tahi Hauora clients, there are some changes to their contracts which will affect your sessions (unsure if this is your funded pathways? Ask Rach or send an email)

Need a little resource for helping plan your next session - drop a 📝 in the comments and we'll DM ya something

19/09/2025

𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚊 𝚠𝚛𝚊𝚙 𝚘𝚗 𝚃𝚎𝚛𝚖 3! 🎉

A reminder that recurring appointments are PAUSED for the school hols. If you’re booked in, I’ll see you on 24th September

The rest of you:
✨ Enjoy the sleep ins
✨ hang with your mates
✨ smash some hauora goals (or high scores)

And remember to crack a window & touch some grass every now & again 😉

Looking forward to hearing your highlights when we’re back in session!