NEW BEGINNINGS
Atarangi Counselling Service Trust (ACS) is a non-profit charitable organisation. The name Atarangi is a Maori word that contextually translated to english, implies ‘New Beginnings’. The koru used in the logo, was specifically chosen because of its spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond. It symbolises; new beginnings, new life, growth, strength and peace. The circular shape of the koru helps to convey the idea of perpetual movement while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin.
ACS was founded in 2009 by Karen and Warren Mason who actively manage the work of the organisation. They recognised the pressing need for greater awareness and education relating to the crippling effects of; addictions, behavioural issues, general and acute social, psychological and psychiatric challenges and the implications for individuals, families and society.
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of ACS is to provide hope, education, and resources.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
All human beings are spiritual, physical, emotional, social and mental beings with agency.
Honesty, humility, accountability, and a willingness to surrender are fundamental attributes for individual recovery and healing.
NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNSELLORS
Q. Why should you choose a registered full member of NZAC over other options?
A. NZAC has a high bench-mark entry point for counsellors to become full members. Not only must a person have a counselling qualification but they must go through a very rigorous application process. They must be nominated by a panel of Members on behalf of NZAC and have their suitability confirmed by the Membership Committee, then ratified by National Executive. Membership is annually reviewed and members must be able to pass high standards of ethical and professional practice, including ongoing Professional Development, to retain full membership. The Annual Membership Certificate of Practice criteria includes; professional supervision throughout the year, by approved and registered NZAC Supervisors.
ONGOING COUNSELLOR TRAININGS INCLUDE
Our counsellors are expected to stay ‘current’ in their practice. A method used to assist this process is professional development, which often are trainings. Types of trainings vary and include Alcohol and other drugs ADANZ, Strengthening Families, Co-existing Problems (CEP), Maori intergenerational trauma and healing, Colonisation, Domestic Violence Facilitation, Prison site clearance, having conversations about abuse, Advances in Mental Health & Hormones, Understanding Autism, Happiness, Shame and Pornography Recovery and many more.
COUNSELLORS
Our counsellors are confident working from an inclusive Bi-Cultural, uniquely New Zealand perspective. We draw on a range of counselling modalities (tools/methods) to ensure we are able to achieve your goal/s. We feel the relationship you have with your counsellor will crucially affect your outcome/s.
Tools in our Therapy Kete (Basket) Used to Assist you Achieve Your Outcome Include:
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Interactive Drawing Therapy
- Emotional Focused Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Group Therapy
- Family Systems Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Co-existing problems (CEP)
- CEP and working with Maori
- Wholebody Focusing
Meet one of our counsellors
Warren Mason JP
Diploma of Counselling: Person-Centred Therapy trained and adopting a lifespan developmental stages philosophical perspective. However, I prefer to work with an eclectic approach including; Co-existing problems, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis (TA) and Family Systems therapy. My counselling assumption is that the outcome will be richer than any single theory alone.
Bachelor of Commerce: Management/Systems/Communications/Entrepreneurship/Accounting/Strategic & Organisational Planning.
Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Act service provider.
Full Member: New Zealand Association of Counsellors.
Experience: I’ve worked with non-governmental organisations (NGO), High School counselling, Private Counselling Practice, Christian counselling, Youth Mentoring, Ngai Tahu Runaka management, New Zealand Corrections and Canterbury Prisons.
Interests: Whanau is my #1 interest. While counselling, I enjoy working with a Bi Cultural perspective (Maori and Non Maori). Social equality rates highly in my values and I like working both sexes. Specific, male work I also value includes; sexual abuse, attachment, relationship formation, self esteem, aggression, jealousy and anxiety.
Research: Overcoming relationship challenges for males – 2007