Cushla has had over twenty years experience of working as a Social Worker and has been working as a Counsellor since 2012. Cushla began her career as a medical Social Worker and then moved to Child, Youth and Family (Oranga Tamariki) where she held various Social Work and specialised positions spanning eleven years.

Once Cushla decided to train as a Counsellor she took up the role of Manager of a busy Counselling Centre, where she developed skills in play therapy, parenting interventions, family violence programmes, family therapy and relationship counselling. Cushla has also worked for an agency delivering Brief Intervention therapy.

Currently Cushla has a fulltime private practice where she provides counselling for ACC sensitive claims and pain management and for the Family Court. She also provides private relationship counselling, family therapy, supervision and counselling for children and adults.

Cushla is dedicated to providing a professional counselling service where clients can expect an inviting and safe environment and a counselling journey that encourages personal development and growth.

Cushla is an avid learner and is committed to developing her practice through ongoing training and research. Cushla’s particular interest is in neuroscience and complex trauma work with both adults and children. Cushla’s practice is predominantly informed by Narrative Therapy, Attachment theory, Cognitive Models and Mindfulness/Meditation practices. Over the past two years her interest in continuous learning has led her to undertake Clinical Hypnotherapy training.

Bachelor of Commerce – Management – Otago University (completed 2004)

Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Community Work – Otago University (completed 2007)

Masters of Counselling – Waikato University (completed 2015)

Facilitator – Incredible Years Parenting Programme

Clinical and Advanced Hypnotherapy

Member ANZASW – since 2001

Registered Social Worker – since 2005