You're not alone in your story...let's talk. Book a call now!

Frequently asked questions

Why the name and do I have to take my shoes off?

Shoes Off is about two things for me.

It's about grounding your self and the sacred space, it's also about comfort and relaxation, leaving your presented guarded self at the door and becoming your real self.

You don't actually have to take your shoes off but I might.

What is that you provide?

I offer counselling conversations for individuals, families, teens, and young adults. Whether you prefer in-person or online sessions, I provide a supportive environment to speak about various concerns.

I help you rebuild your personal story and reshape your identity. This process helps you understand your past, make sense of your present, and create a hopeful future. Together, we work on turning your experiences into a positive and empowering narrative, leading to a renewed sense of self and a clearer path forward.

What are common reasons people seek me out for counselling conversations?

For individuals, these reasons often include:

Feelings to do with “I’m not good enough” and / or a sense of “failure”.
Overwhelming emotions of despair and disconnection from life
A need to explore and improve responses affecting intimate relationships
Seeking guidance during an important life stage, desiring support to reassess values, goals, and life direction
Challenges related to sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, including issues such as sexual identity, concerns about sexual functioning, or managing unwanted sexual impulses including use of pornography.

For families, these reasons often include:

Communication breakdowns leading to conflicts or misunderstandings
Parent-child relationship challenges
Coping with major life transitions such as divorce or blending families
Dealing with behavioural or emotional issues among family members
Strengthening family relationships in order to create a safe space to be and a soft place to land.

In my counseling practice, I aim to provide the highest quality care within my areas of expertise. To ensure that clients receive the most appropriate support, I do not work with individuals experiencing active suicidal thoughts, or severe mental health conditions such as psychosis, severe personality disorders, or clients currently in crisis or requiring urgent intervention. These complex issues require specialized treatment from professionals trained specifically in these areas.If you or someone you know is facing any of these challenges, I strongly recommend seeking help from a mental health provider who specializes in these conditions. Your well-being is of utmost importance, and finding the right support is crucial.

How do you approach counselling conversations?

I view problems as stories that people get stuck inside of, and therefore I aim to separate the problem from the person by disrupting problem stories and empowering individuals to shape their narratives. I prioritise your own knowledge, expertise and skills in this work without blaming, or judgement.

People try to understand their lives by turning their experiences into a story. This story helps them see how things fit together and make sense of who they are and the world around them. When they create a good story, it helps them feel that their life makes sense, and they can use this to deal with new things that happen each day.

What does counselling cost?

The hourly rate is $150 (incl GST) for individuals, which often includes reflections or therapeutic documents such as letters, poems, art, and even audio / video of sessions

I believe that reflecting with therapeutic documents helps people act on what they learn in therapy sessions. This makes therapy more effective and can often mean fewer sessions are needed.

Payment is to be made prior to or at the time of the appointment. You can pay by the usual online methods but just not cash.

What if you or I need to change an appointment?

I require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Emergencies are accommodated with understanding so please talk with me in the first instance. Missed appointments without prior notice will incur a missed session fee. This ensures fairness, respect and responsibility for both of our time, energy and commitment.

If I need to cancel the appointment I will do so at the earliest convenience and reschedule the appointment. There will be no charge to you for the missed appointment.

What happens if I frequently cancel or reschedule appointments?

Repeated cancellations may require prepayment or a review of the therapeutic agreement. However, we are committed to supporting your journey and will address any financial or scheduling difficulties with open communication.

How do I communicate changes to appointments?

Please notify me of any changes via phone or email. Clear communication helps manage schedules and support each client’s narrative effectively.

What if I need immediate help?

There are many resources available in New Zealand for anyone needing immediate help.

If it is an emergency situation and anyone is in immediate physical danger, phone 111. Alternatively, you can go to your nearest hospital emergency department (ED).

For urgent help, mental health crisis services, or medical advice

Phone your local Mental Health Crisis Assessment Team if you are concerned about a person’s immediate safety. Stay with the person and help them to keep safe until support arrives.

To get help from a registered nurse ring Healthline: 0800 611 116.

If you need to talk to someone

Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.

Some other great places to get support include:

National helplines

Depression helpline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week): free phone 0800 111 757 or free text 4202.
Suicide Crisis Helpline: free phone 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Lifeline: free phone 0800 543 354 or free text 4357 (HELP).
Samaritans crisis helpline: free phone 0800 726 666 if you are experiencing loneliness, depression, despair, distress or suicidal feelings.

Child and youth helplines

Youthline: free phone 0800 376 633 or free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
thelowdown.co.nz or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626.
SPARX.org.nz: online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.
Kidsline: free phone 0800 543 754. Talk to a trained Kidsline buddy from 4pm-9pm weekdays.
What's Up (for 5 to 18-year olds): free phone 0800 942 8787. Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 1pm–10pm and weekends, 3pm–10pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.

Shoes off counselling

You're not alone in your story...

Take the next step

Book a call with Bryce now

Frequently asked questions