Cari Batenburg

(she/her/ia) [Pākehā, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa] It can be challenging to open yourself up to another person at the best of times, let alone in times of uncertainty, worry, and grief. I am a registered counsellor with special interests in the areas of relationship challenges, changes, and endings; grief and loss; chronic and terminal illness; anticipatory grief and bereavement. I am also deeply committed to providing counselling support and therapy for people bereaved by suicide or by other traumatic events. I work with individuals, couples, multiple-partner/polyamory/ethical non-monogamous relationships, situationships, and other relational romantic or sexual arrangements and communities. I also work with affair partners ('the other person') who may be struggling to make sense of their part in any of the above. Life isn’t linear, nor is it possible to bring it under our control. I understand that anyone engaging in the counselling and therapy process is living their life at the same time as trying to work on their life. Therefore, I try to maintain a flexible approach in response to the many demands my clients have in their lives. My overall perspective and practice is largely informed by Narrative Therapy (NT), but I also draw on the theories and processes of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, and Attachment Theory.  Funding Options: I am a registered provider for Aoake te Rā (a funded service for people bereaved by suicide), nib Health Insurance, WINZ, Firststeps, and am available for EAP counselling through OCP, Clearhead or where your EAP provider allows members to choose their own counsellor/therapist .