Our Staff

Our Auckland Team

Iain Thomson - Counsellor

I am a first-generation New Zealander (of Scottish ancestry) based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) where I have been working professionally as a counsellor for 15 years.

I am now in private practice – Insight Therapy but previously worked in a range of contexts including mental health, violence prevention, family support and schools.

My qualifications include both a Bachelor degree and a Diploma in Counselling and I hold full membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.

I support clients with a wide range of issues including trauma, abuse, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, addictions, work and identity issues.

Humanistic values such as kindness, compassion and respect are central to my therapeutic approach and I am welcoming of people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and orientations.

I feel privileged to be able to support the valuable work of Mosaic-Tiaki Tangata.

Deborah Sharma - Counsellor/Clinical Supervisor/Social Worker

My name is Deborah Sharma.

I am a Registered AOD Addictions Practitioner (DAPAANZ), a Registered Clinical Social Worker (SWRB), Accredited Clinical Supervisor (DAPAANZ) and Registered ACC (ISSC) Counsellor.

I have completed a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Health Sciences (Hons.) Degrees from the University of Auckland. I have worked at Auckland District Health Board (Women and Children’s Department) and Waitemata District Health Board (CADs).

I provide counselling to individuals who are experiencing certain painful challenges, and need care and support to make better decisions about their health and future, with informed evidence-based skills.

My clinical practice provides an integrated treatment to individuals to treat mental injury(ies) caused by an event of sexual abuse or assault.

A mental injury is defined as a clinically significant behavioural, cognitive or psychological dysfunction. In my practice, I utilise Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and a Strengths-based Perspective.

I am committed to the Privacy Act 1993 and related Health Information Privacy Code 1994 to protect consumer’s health information.

Hayden Issac - Psychotherapist

Kia ora koutou katoa. My name is Hayden.

I’m a 5th generation Pākehā, who grew up in the Manawatu and currently resides in Central Auckland where I work as a registered psychotherapist (PBANZ).

I have a graduate diploma and master’s degree in psychotherapy (AUT) and a bachelor’s and Honour’s degree in music (VUW).

I also have a background in horticulture, hospitality, ESOL teaching, and early childhood education; and, have lived abroad in South Korea and in Canada.

As a psychotherapist, I am a psychoanalytic informed, process-orientated, psychodynamic psychotherapist.

I offer a warm place that enables therapy seekers to explore, get to know, and rework their internal dynamics that feed their sense of self and how they relate to others at their own pace.

This process aims to support therapy seekers to mourn what has been lost and discover ways to process/manage everyday stresses and struggles as their awareness of who they are grows.

I have been trained to work with most life challenges and mental health difficulties; and I have worked with a large range of genders, sexualities, ages, and ethnicities.

I have a particular interest in Trauma/complex-trauma, self-discovery, perception and psychosis, thought processes, creativity, sense of belonging and alienation, spirituality, ecopsychology, grief and loss, and learning disabilities (i.e. ADHD, dyslexia).

And, I am passionate about aiding therapy seekers to step into the fullness of life, love, and truth with a sense of dignity and respect.

Our Tauranga Team

Kate Ferris - Psychologist

Kia ora tātao, I am a registered psychologist from Tauranga Moana.

I work with people experiencing a range of issues such as trauma, abuse, sexual difficulties and grief.

My orientation is collaborative, strengths-focused, non-judgemental and evidence-based.

I use an integrative approach that draws on a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Focused Acceptance Commitment Therapy (FACT), mindfulness, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as well as creative and somatic modalities.

Unresolved trauma can keep us stuck and limit our access to joy, peace and connection. My goal is to support you to heal and move toward your goals with greater self-awareness/self-compassion and more effective coping strategies.

It is a privilege to partner with clients in this important work, and I honour their resilience, wisdom and mana.

Our Central North Island Team

Jo Robertson - Psychologist

I have worked for the last 20 years to develop ways to assist people to reach their goals in all areas of their lives.

Over the last twenty three years I have developed a strategy which assists people to ensure they are performing at the peak of their performance.

I have been successful in both the business world and the helping professions whilst successfully raising a family to adulthood. I am motivated by my own life experiences and the need to assist others to reach their full potential.

My training has included in a Master of Arts (Hons) (Organisational/ Industrial Psychology) and a Master of Applied Social Work. My areas of research have included workplace relationships, workplace productivity, and self-care at work.

During my career I have assisted people from all walks of life to affect change in their lives and to reach their goals.

I work hard to provide privacy and confidentiality for all my clients.

David Atkinson - Psychotherapist & Counsellor

Kia ora Ko David Atkinson ahau.

23 years ago I began a journey of discovery about myself and others through training in counselling.

I soon learned there was so much more to counselling than responding solely to the person in the room. So I further trained in family therapy, psychotherapy, supervision, social work and theology.

Today I practice predominantly with people who have experienced trauma.

I have been married for 35 years and have 3 adult children and 6 grand children.

Carol Volp - Counsellor

Carol is a professional counsellor with a Bachelor of Counselling degree, a full member of NZAC and holds ACC registration.

She has experience working with individuals, couples and families who present with a wide variety of issues.

What makes Carol's service distinctive is her strong clinical skills and mature outlook. She demonstrates a strong respect for the values and belief systems of others while remaining supportive, broad minded and non-judgemental.

Carol's friendly and caring nature provide a positive and calming atmosphere that aides in good client outcomes and builds rapport with clients.

Our Wellington Team

Chief Executive - Richard Jeffrey

Richard has a long history working with male survivors, having been one of the founding trustees of New Zealand’s first peer support service for male survivors of sexual abuse in the early 1990s.

He joined the Wellington group in 2014, first as a client, then as a Board member, and he has been employed by the Mosaic-Tiaki Tangata since 2015.

As a survivor of abuse, Richard is passionate about supporting other men to work through the challenges that often accompany abuse.

Richard is a firm believer in the power of peer support, and is dedicated to developing the peer support model.

Richard grew up all over New Zealand, travelling with his family as his father worked at Country Schools. He has worked in a number of successful community organisations, as well as corporate roles in IT and project management. Richard has extensive governance experience, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2018.

Justin Meade - Strategy & Relationships/Anxiety Sorted Counsellor

Hi, I'm Justin. Working closely with Mosaic CEO Richard Jeffrey on strategic direction, I manage Mosaic's people, relationship, communication and online platforms. With Anxiety Sorted, I also work with our clients who are having particular issues around severe anxiety and panic attacks.

I'm really passionate about the work we do, and it's been a privilege to be a part of Mosaic's strong growth over the last 3 years.

I run a website creation business - Cheeky Upstart. With Cheeky Upstart I work with a number of charities, not-for-profit organisations, social service providers and clinician-based businesses nationwide.

I am also a certified SMART Recovery facilitator.

Rob McGregor - Manager Peer Services & Counsellor

After two and half decades working my own para-medical clinic managing complex injuries to the lower limb I lost that career due to personal injury.

It meant a few years walking a personal wilderness trying to figure out what life was, and also gave me time to process some abuse events I experienced as a child and young person.

Did that really happen? What do I call that? What does the Law call that? And the questions went on and on...

Now I have names for all that stuff and the accurate interpretations. Now I know how to park those ideas and experiences, and it has freed me enormously to engage in life in a much more meaningful manner.

I first linked up with Mosaic-Tiaki Tangata in August 2017, and in May 2018 joined the staff as a Peer Support worker. My previous counselling and peer support work had all been as a volunteer.

I worked with refugees from Vietnam (1988), a short period with St Stephan's Society in Hong Kong working with drug addicts (1988), community-based counselling and counsellor training with Elijah House (2007-2010), and co-facilitated training programmes with Jubilee Resources nationally and in the Caribbean (2010-2015). I am currently formalising my counselling experience into a Bachelor of Counselling degree.

Most of my work is with men, and my interests are in counselling and managing trauma, abuse, suicide and grief. I have worked with couples, one-to-one and group-oriented peer support work.

I have my own counselling practice - Resolve Counselling.

Hannah Brittain - Triage Coordinator & Counsellor

Hi, I'm Hannah. My role as Triage Coordinator is to manage the ever increasing demand for our services from new clients.

I gained a Bachelor of Counselling in 2012 and have worked primarily as a drug and alcohol counsellor. I have also worked as a counsellor for a young adult cancer charity.

Aside from my role at Mosaic, I am a 220-hour trauma-informed Yin Yoga teacher.

I'm thrilled to be a new team member at Mosaic.

Lucas Jones - Peer Facilitator, Rainbow Liaison & Youth Services Team Leader

Lucas has been involved with various youth support services all over New Zealand since 2012. Having most recently worked alongside the team at Kapiti Youth Support as one of their youth support and facilitators for their LGBT support service 'Project Youth'.

Lucas first became involved with Mosaic-Tiaki Tangata in 2016. After taking a wee break to study, Lucas has since stepped into the role of Rainbow Liaison and Youth Support Worker.

Lucas is also currently studying towards a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Music.

He hopes to further this into Music Psychology and hopes to integrate this into his work with social and support services.

Katie Lane - Counsellor

Kia ora. I’m Katie. I have been working with body centred therapies using embedded counselling skills for over 10 years. I’m currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and plan to go on to the Masters of Counselling programme.

Passionate about the role of the body in the process of healing, I am also currently training in Somatic Experiencing, a body based approach to working with trauma.

I am a long time yoga teacher specialising in yoga therapy. While initially my work centred around physical rehabilitation and working with those many years of earthquakes, my therapy work became much

more focused on mental health - helping those challenged by and working through anxiety, depression, PTSD, and complex trauma. In the past, I’ve worked with ACC Sensitive Claims and in liaison with psychologists to offer trauma sensitive yoga for sexual abuse survivors.

I am inspired by Mosaic-Tiaki Tangata’s vision and the incredibly important work that they do to support abuse survivors in the recovery process and men’s mental/emotional health full stop.

Linda Strauss

Hi, my name is Linda and I am originally from South Africa.

A cup of coffee gets me going in the morning and I have discovered Whittaker’s Hazelnut Chocolate.

I am a qualified Psychologist with extensive counselling and organisational experience.

I know that taking the first step and coming for counselling takes courage.

I strive to create a professional and safe environment where there is no judgement and you can feel comfortable to discuss various topics.

I use an integrative approach but mainly make use of the modalities of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Solution Focused Therapy.

I strongly believe we have the answers within ourselves and that we sometimes just need some guidance.

During counselling we will discuss your expectation(s) as well as the goals you want to achieve. The highlight of my work is when I see someone change or become ‘unstuck’.

Sometimes sessions can be transformational and sometimes it is just attentively listening to you and having empathy. We can also discuss various coping strategies or life skills.

“Live is not how many times you fall down, it’s about how many times you get back up”. – Jaime Escalante –

I am a member of the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

Kim Narsi - Clinical Psychologist

Hello, my name is Kim Narsi and I am a registered Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing in Wellington for over twenty years.

My role for Mosaic will be to complete any Supported Assessments that people need to try and access ACC care.

I have been conducting these assessments for over ten years with adolescents and adults.

I have experience in adult mental health and child development as well as working with ethnically diverse people.

I look forward to helping you in your journey.

Naomi Afoa - Counsellor

Background:
Talofa Lava my name is Naomi Afoa and I am a New Zealand born Samoan who grew up and live in Wellington.

I am a registered Counsellor and Provisional member of the New Zealand Counsellors Association since March 2019

Why Counselling?
Studying to become a Counsellor has broadened my perspectives for learning the purpose of Counselling and why it's needed.

Interests with Mosaic?

My interests with Mosaic is for the purpose to support and empower survivors of sexual abuse and trauma towards steps of recovery.

Other Interests
Other than that, I love to keep fit, love the outdoors and enjoy a cup of coffee and cafes.

Fiona Ryland - Counsellor

My name is Fiona Ryland I am a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZCA).

I have been a counsellor for 6 years now since graduation.

I spent 11 months working in Rimutaka Prison and 5 years in working at Te Roopu Awhina ki Porirua Trust (TRA).

I am passionate about walking alongside people helping them discover themselves in the difficult times they go through, and I'm delighted to be a part of the counselling team at Mosaic-Tiaki Tangata.

Anthony Bailey - Counsellor

Sometimes life is rough. Often life is tricky. At some point in this journey, most of us find ourselves challenged by the complexities of living.

Counselling offers us ways to navigate both the world around us, and our ‘inner world’ of thoughts and emotions.

Wellbeing is our basic human birth right; counselling helps us reclaim that. Such work has the potential to reconnect us to our resources for creative and inspired living.

My approach is eclectic, drawing from a range of established therapies.

I have a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling). I’m a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and am ACC registered.

NZAC membership ensures continuous professional development, promoting ethical, safe and effective therapy.

Between my work with the LGBTQI community and my years in addiction treatment, I’ve experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of life issues.

I am passionate about healing and personal growth.

Our Canterbury Team

Anna Francis - Counsellor

I am a qualified counsellor living in the semi-rural Selwyn district of Canterbury. I work online to provide counselling services nationwide.

I am passionate about the Solution Focused Brief Therapy approach and look forward to our time spent working towards the outcome you hope for, as a result from our talking.

You can learn more about me and how I work at my private practice website www.goodgriefcounselling.co.nz.

Cate Walton - Counsellor

I’m a first-generation New Zealander, my family came most recently from England but researching and learning about my family background finds strong connections to Ireland.

Although originally from Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), l now live in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). I am very proud to be a New Zealander and grateful to live in this beautiful country.

I believe we all need to live together with respect and dignity and I strongly support the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, to respect and treat the Tangata Whenua of New Zealand as the first people is vital for the our society to grow and thrive.

Professionally I now work and live as a Counsellor, and have worked with community organisations for several year. I now have a private practice (www.kopakopacounselling.nz). I have worked for many years as a Registered Nurse mostly in community settings and I am a trained Early Childhood teacher. All these experiences have been rich learning experiences that have taught me to believe in people and their amazing capacity to rich their full potential.

From working with people for over 30 years one of the most important lessons I have learnt is that life is unpredictable, and change is inevitable. We all need to find a way to live with unexpected happenings and the implications they have for us, so that we can live our lives in the best way possible. I am passionate about supporting people through the challenges that life throws at us.

Paula Partington - Psychotherapist

My Experience
I have been working in counselling and psychotherapy since 1990, in the UK and New Zealand. Prior to practicing in New Zealand, I worked in Psychology Departments in the National Health Service with adults, children and adolescents, as well as individuals, couples and groups.

I also gained experience in residential social work and special needs education, as well as in working non-governmental organisations (NGO’s).

Additionally, I worked in my private counselling and psychotherapy practice, and supervised counsellors and trainee psychologists.

In New Zealand I have worked in NGO’s and in private practice with adults, children, adolescents and their families, as well as with deaf clients, and specialise in working with disordered eating and body image issues.

I currently supervise counsellors, psychotherapists, and those in allied fields, and tutor counselling students working towards their degree.

My experience also includes substantial post trauma and resiliency work in Christchurch and Canterbury with children and families, schools and organisations, as well as providing training workshops, supervision and consultancy.

My Philosophy
I provide a safe, non-judgemental, and supportive environment for clients to work through the difficulties they are facing. My approach is to enable clients to build on their existing strengths and resources to solve their problems and meet their goals.

My core approach is based on working in the therapeutic relationship and Transactional Analysis, integrating up to date research on neurobiology and mindfulness. I also have training and experience in other methods of working including Person-Centred Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and play based approaches.

I integrate these as appropriate to meet the needs of the person I am working with. I work with warmth, creativity and humour.

Michael O'Dempsey - Counsellor & Social Worker

I have been working in social work / counselling settings since 1983 and supervising since 1986.

I have 7 years’ experience working in residential care. 6 years’ experience in care and protection.

4 years’ experience in Community Social Work agencies. 6 years’ experience in counselling and I am currently in private practice as a counsellor/trainer.

I am a Family Court Counsellor and have recently been appointed as the ANZASW Competency Assessor in the Canterbury/ Sth Canterbury/Westland Area.

I contributed to “Developing Reflective Practice -Making Sense of Social Work in a World of Change” (2000), Helen Martyn (ed.), National Institute of Social Work (UK) and the Policy Press London.‘

I also presented a paper ‘Children’s Experiences of Using Community Counselling and Family Work Services’ at the 10th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect held in Wellington.

Recently a colleague and I have developed a group-training programme for supervisors and supervisees ‘Reflecting on Practice through Supervision’

Our Otago Team

Olga Pushenko - Psychologist

Throughout my career I have worked alongside people with disabilities, brain trauma and mental health who exhibit challenging behaviours.

These include physical/verbal aggression, sexualised behaviours, social withdrawal, addictions and conduct behaviours.

In my practice I use several modalities including Positive Behavioural Support (PBS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Behaviour Modification, Solution-Focused Therapy, and person-centred counselling approaches.

The goal of my practice is to consistently understand and safeguard the welfare of clients and their support groups by reducing negative impacts on the client’s quality of life. I have specific expertise in working with children and adolescents.

BPsySc, MAppPsy, PGDipPsychPrac
New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB)
New Zealand Psychological Society (MNZPsS)
ACC (ISSC)

Our Amazing, Passionate Interns

Imogen Kilioni - Social Media Manager

Hi everyone, my name's Imogen!

I grew up in Wellington and I’m currently studying Law, International Relations and Criminology at Victoria University. I’m one of the main voices behind Mosaic's social media accounts.

In my down time I enjoy hanging out with friends, going to the gym and snorkelling/diving on the south coast.

I wanted to get involved with Mosaic because I’m really passionate about their cause and think that’s it’s so inspiring to see a charity focused on a group that is so often disregarded.

A lot of people I look up to work in the same area that Mosaic addresses, so that drove me to become a part of the Mosaic community. Being able to help people and be a part of something so amazing is something that I’ve always wanted to do, so I’m stoked to be a part of the team.

Ailish Leydon-Lyons - Researcher & Writer for Mosaic

I’ve just finished my undergraduate degree in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy and am currently doing a Certificate in Restorative Justice at Victoria University.

I am incredibly passionate about human rights and changing the social, political and systematic problems which works to oppress and silence people.

I have previously been on the executive for the Victoria University Just Speak group, a youth led organisation focused on criminal justice reform, and was heavily working on restoring prisoner voting rights.

I am currently the Women’s Officer for the VicLabour executive, the Victoria University branch of the Labour party, working to bring about effective progressive change.

Myself and a few others started Mute R. Kelly Wellington, the local branch of the Mute R. Kelly movement, aiming to completely mute artist R. Kelly who committed physical violence, rape, emotional abuse, cult-like practice, child porn, child marriage and pedophilia over decades to numerous young girls and women.

We contacted all local bars, clubs and radio station requesting them to not play any music by R. Kelly. I am also currently the comms person for the Thursdays in Black executive, a student led campaign to eliminate rape and sexual violence, in terms of fundraising, raising awareness, holding marches, enforcing that universities have effective sexual violence policies and giving survivors a platform to share their stories.

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