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WAIKATO COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM (WCST)
Our growing team of Hamilton based counsellors and support staff are here to help.
SELENA NEEDHAM
Founder - Therapist - Supervisor
Selena heads our organisation overseeing the ACC Sensitive Claims Team (ASCT) and our Waikato Community Support Team (WCST). Mother of six adult children, including twins, and Granmama to six gorgeous humans, life is never dull!
Drawing on her lived experience of terminal illness diagnosis, domestic violence and sexual abuse, Selena is passionate about supporting you in your journey.
DENISE GERRING
Counsellor
Denise works with adults and youth.
'I have a passion for people realising their value and worth. I have a real heart for teens and youth and the challenges they face. My experience is in working with single parent families and youth.
As a counsellor I acknowledge the courage and strength it takes to take the first step towards counselling.
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MELANIE DAMHUIS
Counsellor
Melanie is a dynamic Counsellor and Personal Life Coach, originally trained as a teacher. Melanie’s therapeutic approach draws on a variety of modalities to support a wide range of clients. Melanie’s style is described as warm, direct, creative and fun. Clients report that they feel safe in her therapeutic space.
She has a keen interest in neurodiversity (ADHD/ASD) and offers support for neurodivergent clients and their family members.
ANDREW HOPKINS
Counsellor
Andrew is part of our Community Support Team (CST). Andrew works with adults and youth. He offers Telehealth sessions only - these can be phone or video sessions.
I bring my life experience to my work. Being a survivor of depression and anxiety myself, it helps me to understand what you may be going through. "As a counsellor I acknowledge the courage and strength it takes to take the first step towards counselling."
LISA-MAREE NUNN
Counselling Social Worker
I am an experienced, registered social worker with a background in mental health,
physical health, women’s health and trauma work.
I have 13 years’ experience in
the field of social work predominately in the public sector. My approach is based on
relationship, advocacy, rapport and progression toward identified goals. I am
interested in working alongside anyone who has experienced trauma, difficult life
situations and changing health issues.
MATTHEW LETICA
Counsellor
I value integrity, difference, honesty, finding your own path, standing out from the crowd, connection, and relationships. I strongly believe people can be empowered to start their journey to self-discovery to find their own answers. I am not a fixer, however, I might be able to provide guidance around the chaos to help you embark on your own self-discovery journey.
I am not afraid to sit in the emotional, dark, and frightening places.
JON PEGRUM
Osteopath
Jon is our resident Osteopath at 63 Boundary Road, Hamilton.
He has over 10 years experience as an Osteo and is ACC accredited. We get oodles of positive feedback about Jon's magic hands.
Jon is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Phone 07 852 5112.
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WANT TO WORK WITH US?
ACC SENSITIVE CLAIMS TEAM (ASCT)
Our growing team cover the Waikato, Auckland and Wellington
SELENA NEEDHAM
Founder - Therapist - Supervisor (Hamilton)
Selena heads our organisation overseeing the ACC Sensitive Claims Team (ASCT) and our Waikato Community Support Team (WCST).
Mother of five adult children, including twins, and Granmama to six gorgeous humans, life is never dull!
Drawing on lived experience of terminal illness, domestic violence and sexual abuse, Selena is passionate about others being supported in their journey.
CATHERINE SIMWINGA
Counsellor (Hamilton)
Catherine's specialty areas include grief, and supporting men re-entering society after incarceration.
Catherine has worked as an oncology nurse, counsellor and pastor for a number of years and brings a wealth of knowledge from these fields. She is a wife and mother with three adult children.
As an immigrant, she brings knowledge and understanding of the stress that migration brings.
VICKIE TUAU
Counsellor (Hamilton)
Vickie works as an ACC sensitive claims counsellor and has worked in the area
of sexual harm for 20 years, in an agency and in private practice.
She works with adults and youth.
She is passionate in assisting others to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
She also works with: trauma, domestic violence, relationship difficulties, lack of
confidence/self-worth, stress, anxiety, depression, self-harm, grief and loss, anger management, and coping with life changes.
Vickie offers: in person and telehealth counselling.
SAM ANDERSON
Counsellor (Franklin, AKL)
Sam works as an ACC Sensitive Claims counsellor, and has worked extensively as a counsellor for a number of years with the primary focus being to strengthen the well-being of the individual, couples and families.
Sam is also the Director of Freedom Counselling Ministries, as well as the author and producer of the Freedom manuals. Sam is passionate about helping others gain freedom within their lives.
JACQUELINE PRITCHARD
Counsellor (Warkworth)
Jacqueline helps individuals navigate life’s challenges, rewrite their stories, and discover meaning and value. Her approach is empathetic, flexible, and tailored to each client’s unique needs.
With expertise in trauma, suicide prevention, postnatal distress, bereavement, life transitions, and sexual abuse counselling, Jacqueline provides a safe, supportive space for healing and growth.
ROBERT JENKINSON
Counsellor and Supervisor (Hamilton)
Robert has been counselling in Hamilton for 30+ years, and has worked in the field of sexual harm for the last 25 years,
with both offenders and survivors. He is also a supervisor and trainer. He has been a teacher both in England and New Zealand, and has a wealth of experience including working as a clinical leader at Relationship Services,
a tutor for Child Protection Studies, a tutor at Wintec and Vision College, a Family Court counsellor, and a coordinator of a child sexual offender rehabilitation
programme. He arrived in NZ from England in 1983, and has been married to Jasmine for 26 years. He has 3 step-sons and four grandchildren.
LOUISE ROLFE
Counsellor (Lower Hutt)
Kia ora, my name is Lou. I live in Wellington and work out of my office in Lower Hutt. I see clients face to face, although I am happy to see clients online. I work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and also some Saturdays.
I am a counsellor with nearly 10 years’ experience working with families, adults and children. I am a trained facilitator of the Parenting through Separation programme run through The Ministry of Justice and have a good understanding of difficulties faced by families navigating the separation process.
I’ve been doing ACC Sensitive Claims work for the last few years and I enjoy working with clients from a range of diverse backgrounds. I feel privileged to do the work I do and be able to support my clients on their journey.
AMANDA DREWER
Clinical Psychologist (Hamilton)
Hello and kia ora! My name is Amanda and I am a Registered Clinical Psychologist and ACC provider. Originally from England, I am a mum to three boys. I enjoy painting and drawing, and generally being out in Aotearoa/New Zealand’s beauty. I work in Hamilton and have a small face to face private practice mainly focused on completing assessments for ACC and Havening. My face to face days are Monday and Tuesday with online options other days depending on availability. My specialty area is in trauma work and addressing adverse childhood/adult/life experiences in adulthood.
I am really mindful of the courage it takes to make change or to approach someone for support and as such, I always take a gentle approach in my mahi/work and strive to create a place of safety.
If you have any questions, please feel free to drop an email to: admin@waikatosurvivors.org.nz, Tena rawa atu koe/thank you.
ANDREA ROWE
Counsellor (Waihi)
Tēnā koe, My name is Andrea Rowe. I was born in Taranaki and have lived in North Waikato for many years. I am now based in Waihī. I provide both face-face and online sessions. I work Mon-Thurs 8-5am. I am an experienced therapist with 30 years experience in the mental health, addiction and trauma fields. I am drawn to this work because I know we can heal from past trauma and transform our lives. I am dedicated to facilitating this process.
DIONE DAVIES
Arts Therapist (Hamilton)
Kia ora, I'm Dione Davies and I whakapapa to Ngati Rehua/Ngatiwai ki Aotea. I'm based in Hamilton but see all of my clients (adults only) online. As an Arts Therapist I bring a creative focus to my work, helping people engage with their own creativity in whatever form that takes - art, dance and movement, writing, poetry, music etc. I passionately believe we have these interests and skills as resources for our wellbeing and they hold the key to living a healthy balanced life. And you don't have to be good at them to enjoy the benefits! Together we'll gently explore and see which creative art you connect with.
CELESTE WOLFENSBERGER
Psychologist and Supervisor (Auckland)
Life can be overwhelming, and when we face difficult circumstances, it can feel as though the weight of our experiences holds us back from living fully. My role as a psychologist is to walk alongside you on your healing journey, offering a safe and compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment.
I specialize in working with individuals who have faced trauma, whether it's rooted in past abuse, sexual trauma, grief, or sudden life changes. I also support those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or navigating the complexities of trauma recovery.
I am based in Auckland, but I also see clients online.
DR KARIN RUPPELDT
Clinical Psychologist (North Shore, AKL)
I offer psychological services to adults, drawing on over 30 years of experience in both private and public mental health settings in North Shore, Auckland. Since 1998, I have helped individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, PTSD, immigration and adjustment issues, life transitions, borderline personality disorders, and eating disorders.
In addition to individual therapy, I have facilitated therapy groups for people with borderline personality disorder and eating disorders. I have a particular interest in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and provide supervision to psychologists, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals.
My approach is grounded in a deep commitment to understanding and supporting each person’s unique journey toward healing and growth.
