Kereru Psychotherapy & Counselling

About Us

We understand that when you are worried about someone, making steps towards professional help takes courage. At Kereru, we specialise in working with children, young people & families. We take your concerns seriously and help you develop a plan for moving forward.

Toni Shepherd
PG DIP ADV PSYCH PRAC, B COM, NZDB, GRAD DIP PSYCH, PG CERT CLIN SUPERVISION, MNZAP, MNZAC

Kai Tahu Waitaha

Toni works at Kereru Psychotherapy Services and on the Consult Liaison Psychiatry Team at Starship Children’s Hospital. She has been a health professional for over fifteen years, specialising in both child and adolescent health and parenting. She is a mama of four children.

Wiremu Woodard
B A, MHSC (1ST CLASS HONOURS), MNZAP

Tuhoe

Wiremu, a father of four tamariki, works at Kereru Psychotherapy Services and Auckland University of Technology (AUT). His areas of expertise are parenting, anxiety, depression, grief and loss and bullying.

Kereru currently provides services to CYFS, Ministry of Justice, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand Defence Force, ACC and is an EAP provider.

Wiremu and Toni are committed to ongoing professional development, with both recently gaining their Advanced Clinical Practice qualifications.

How does it work?

Firstly, we conduct a thorough assessment of your child or teenager, carefully looking at the behaviours, symptoms and underlying issues.

We then formulate a therapeutic assessment and treatment planning document designed to simultaneously work alongside your child or young person while assisting you with parenting strategies that may improve your home environment. Incorporating your knowledge of your child and our clinical knowledge, we tailor make a therapy package.

Kereru uses an eclectic mix of therapeutic approaches and may use art therapy, mindfulness and relaxation alongside more traditional techniques such as cognitive, behavioural and psychodynamic approaches.

We continually review the process ensuring it remains relevant. We also like to have agreed feedback sessions with you and your child.

How long will it take?

Change takes both willingness and time. In many cases, between 4 and 8 sessions enables the Kereru team to make significant progress.

Interventions always include practical skills and strategies (for you and your child) which can be implemented in home, school and social settings right away.

Kereru is also able to provide follow-up sessions or longer term therapy options as required or recommended.

What will my child and our family get out of it?

Your child/young person will gain the ability to understand and manage their emotional and behavioural world and the resilience to overcome difficulties or trauma.

They will enjoy increased self-esteem and self-knowledge with improved relationships with themselves and others.

In addition, Kereru offers parents and children lifelong techniques and strategies to use in a range of situations, improving the quality of family life.

Where can I find you?

We have a small, cosy office in the heart of Birkenhead, with a peep of the Waitemata Harbour. Our rooms have ample parking and are close to bus routes. There a small waiting area and access to bathrooms.

Often, families can run errands, get something to eat or do some shopping in Birkenhead while they wait for sessions to finish.

Our priority is for our clients to feel relaxed and comfortable in their environment, while offering a confidential service. We try and create an atmosphere that is warm, welcoming and professional.

Call us today on (09 419 9811) to make an inquiry or book an initial consultation. We look forward to meeting with you.