Meet Our Team
Janet Baird - Senior Counsellor / Team Leader
Member - NZ Association of Counsellors
MCouns (Hons 1st Class), P.G. Cert. Counselling (Family), Dip. Counselling.
I have worked at Grief Support Services since the end of 2007 when I moved to the Bay of Plenty from Palmerston North. In Palmerston North I worked at Massey University and at Te Aroha Noa Community Services.
I love my role as a counsellor providing a safe, accepting space where people can speak freely and feel fully heard and acknowledged. It might be a space to find words for what has happened. Or it might be a space where people want to explore how they could respond to the pain, loss and changes they are experiencing and importantly, how to do this in their own time.
I work with individuals, couples and families / whanau.
Member - NZ Association of Counsellors
MCouns (Hons 1st Class), P.G. Cert. Counselling (Family), Dip. Counselling.
I have worked at Grief Support Services since the end of 2007 when I moved to the Bay of Plenty from Palmerston North. In Palmerston North I worked at Massey University and at Te Aroha Noa Community Services.
I love my role as a counsellor providing a safe, accepting space where people can speak freely and feel fully heard and acknowledged. It might be a space to find words for what has happened. Or it might be a space where people want to explore how they could respond to the pain, loss and changes they are experiencing and importantly, how to do this in their own time.
I work with individuals, couples and families / whanau.
Denise Carroll - Administrator
I have been receptionist/office administrator for Grief Support Services since December 2014. My aim is to ensure clients have an empathetic and welcoming experience when phoning us or coming in for appointments and to feel confident we will provide a safe and healing space for them.
My previous work has included eight years with the Waikato/BOP Cancer Society as Office Administrator and 8 years at Otumoetai College as a Teaching Assistant.
In my leisure time I enjoy family contact, rock n roll dancing, Israeli dancing, kayaking, cycling, walking and reading.
I have been receptionist/office administrator for Grief Support Services since December 2014. My aim is to ensure clients have an empathetic and welcoming experience when phoning us or coming in for appointments and to feel confident we will provide a safe and healing space for them.
My previous work has included eight years with the Waikato/BOP Cancer Society as Office Administrator and 8 years at Otumoetai College as a Teaching Assistant.
In my leisure time I enjoy family contact, rock n roll dancing, Israeli dancing, kayaking, cycling, walking and reading.
Jacqui Bassett - Administrator
I work part-time as an administrator on reception duties on Fridays and relieve other days as needed. My primary focus, apart from reception at the GSS desk, is applications for funding grants, working with the Board on funding and taking Board minutes.
I enjoy gardening, reading, walking and spending time with our five gorgeous grandchildren. I also volunteer on a Board for a local charity CCI Support.
I work part-time as an administrator on reception duties on Fridays and relieve other days as needed. My primary focus, apart from reception at the GSS desk, is applications for funding grants, working with the Board on funding and taking Board minutes.
I enjoy gardening, reading, walking and spending time with our five gorgeous grandchildren. I also volunteer on a Board for a local charity CCI Support.
Michelle Burling - Counsellor
B.Couns
In my role as a counsellor, I most like being able to offer the people whom I work alongside the opportunity to be respectfully supported during the difficulties they find themselves experiencing. I whole-heartedly believe this shared process of making sense of these often unexpected experiences favourably enables the way they are adapted to and moved forward from.
I work primarily with individuals.
I completed two years of practicum placement at Grief Support Services during my training and graduated in April, 2016. I then volunteered as a counsellor until taking a paid role in July 2017.
B.Couns
In my role as a counsellor, I most like being able to offer the people whom I work alongside the opportunity to be respectfully supported during the difficulties they find themselves experiencing. I whole-heartedly believe this shared process of making sense of these often unexpected experiences favourably enables the way they are adapted to and moved forward from.
I work primarily with individuals.
I completed two years of practicum placement at Grief Support Services during my training and graduated in April, 2016. I then volunteered as a counsellor until taking a paid role in July 2017.
Ruth Barber - Counsellor
BSc Psychology, MSc psychology of health and mental performance, MA Counselling Psychology, Post Graduate Diploma Counselling Psychology.
In the U.K. I worked for the NHS in child and adolescent mental health and also private practice. After emigrating 11 years ago, I worked for NGOs in Christchurch and Hamilton. I then took a career gap and retrained as a personal trainer, managing gyms for the past 4 years.
I have recently returned to therapeutic work and I am excited to bring together lived experience and education to provide support to clients. I work with children, adolescents and adults.
BSc Psychology, MSc psychology of health and mental performance, MA Counselling Psychology, Post Graduate Diploma Counselling Psychology.
In the U.K. I worked for the NHS in child and adolescent mental health and also private practice. After emigrating 11 years ago, I worked for NGOs in Christchurch and Hamilton. I then took a career gap and retrained as a personal trainer, managing gyms for the past 4 years.
I have recently returned to therapeutic work and I am excited to bring together lived experience and education to provide support to clients. I work with children, adolescents and adults.
Te Aomarama Robinson – Counsellor
Provisional Member - NZ Association of Counsellors
BCouns (Bethlehem Tertiary Institute),
DipCouns & Soc Prac (BOP Polytechnic)
I have been involved with Grief Support Services since 2013, completing three of my four practicums as a student counsellor here, and continuing in a voluntary capacity since January 2016. Grief counselling has therefore been a considerable part of my development as a counsellor.
Having experienced significant losses in my own life, I find it a real privilege to journey with others through the profound impacts and changes that grief and loss can bring. This is an area of counselling that is particularly close to my heart, one that I find very rewarding to be a part of.
My work with Grief Support Services is primarily with individuals.
Provisional Member - NZ Association of Counsellors
BCouns (Bethlehem Tertiary Institute),
DipCouns & Soc Prac (BOP Polytechnic)
I have been involved with Grief Support Services since 2013, completing three of my four practicums as a student counsellor here, and continuing in a voluntary capacity since January 2016. Grief counselling has therefore been a considerable part of my development as a counsellor.
Having experienced significant losses in my own life, I find it a real privilege to journey with others through the profound impacts and changes that grief and loss can bring. This is an area of counselling that is particularly close to my heart, one that I find very rewarding to be a part of.
My work with Grief Support Services is primarily with individuals.
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David Beattie (Dave)
I am a 3rd year full time counselling student currently studying for my degree through Bethlehem Tertiary Institute here in Tauranga. Although most of my working background has been in the building industry, I have also been involved in men’s groups for a number of years, which has been a catalyst for my training and up-skilling. I started working at Grief Support in November 2016 and I really enjoy my work. I consider it an honour and a privilege to journey with you in a meaningful and supportive way, through what can often be a challenging phase of life. I am available for Grief Counselling Support on Fridays. Grace Irvine
I am a 3rd year part time counselling student currently studying for my Master of Counselling at Waikato University. I have a bachelor degree in social sciences. For the past four years I have had the joy of supporting children and adults with special needs in multiple jobs. Previous to this work I have ventured to different parts of the globe to do community and missionary work. I started working at Grief Support Services in January 2017. I hold care, collaboration, trust and safety with the highest regard in relationships. In counselling work I find enjoyment in inviting and accompanying people into a space where their unique stories can be told and heard. I am available Wednesday mornings. |
