Kia ora koutou, my name is Kelly. I am Australian and I came to New Zealand a number of years ago to go kayaking and now I live in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. I like being outdoors and exploring, especially tramping, canoeing and camping.

I am a social worker registered in New Zealand with the Social Workers Registration Board. I have experience connecting with the foster care and youth justice systems. Mostly, I have been involved in Adventure Therapy programs, where we are able to be outside journeying together or walking and talking.

I have a humanistic and trauma informed approach. I have also developed my Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Solution Focused Brief Intervention skills. I believe in connecting people with te taiao/the natural environment to promote health and wellbeing and to enhance personal growth and connections.

I encourage walk and talk sessions, where we take the therapeutic conversation into te taiao/nature. This allows for conversations to flow in a relaxed setting.

Walk and talk sessions, Improves emotional regulation as taiao/nature helps us to coregulate. Light exercise increase endorphins and can be a mood booster. Being in taiao/nature can assist with sensory experiences and being present in the moment can reduce anxiety and stress and improve relaxation and people’s abilities to cope can help therapeutic conversations to flow with where the participant is at on any given day

I look forward to connecting with you on your journey.

- Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level 1 2024

- Solution-focused theory and skills with individuals and groups 2024

- Masters of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) 2018

- Bachelor of Human Service 2014

I am also a member of ATA Adventure Therapy Aotearoa