Four Pillars Counselling

05/10/2026

Making Room for Counselling When Life Is Already Full

When work and family already fill the week, a trip across town can make a counselling appointment harder to fit in. Online sessions remove the travel while still giving you dedicated time for a private conversation.

Our new article looks at practical ways to prepare a quiet space, what an online session with Dan may be like, and when meeting in person might suit you better.

Read the article:
https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/online-counselling-busy-life-nz

24/09/2026

Wondering what happens in a first counselling session?

You don’t need a diagnosis, a referral or a perfectly prepared story. A first session is a conversation about what has brought you in, how counselling works and whether the counsellor feels like a good fit. You can ask questions and choose what you’re ready to share.

Jon has written a practical guide to what you can expect before, during and after that first appointment:
https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/what-to-expect-first-counselling-session-auckland-nz

Four Pillars Counselling offers appointments in Howick, Auckland, and online. If you have a question before booking, you can contact Jon through the website.

24/07/2026

I recently had the opportunity to join East FM for a conversation about counselling, mental health, and the work I do through Four Pillars Counselling.

We talked about my path into counselling, the importance of having a practical and supportive space to work through life’s challenges, and some of the ways counselling can help people move forward when they feel stuck.

A big thank you to East FM for having me, and to Crawford Wellness for sharing the interview.

You can listen to the full conversation here:

https://youtu.be/SqEglTuTeu8?si=WrptzGRbxDWhcw6F

Four Pillars Counselling
Individual and couples counselling in Howick and online across New Zealand

Your wellbeing is our focus!

06/06/2026

I’ve just added a new blog on Gottman Method Couples Counselling.

It explains what the Gottman Method is, where it comes from, who it may help, and what couples can expect from the process.

This approach can be especially helpful for couples who feel stuck in recurring arguments, communication breakdowns, emotional distance, trust issues, or difficulty repairing after conflict.

At Four Pillars Counselling, I offer Gottman-informed couples counselling in Howick, Auckland, and online across New Zealand.

You can read the full blog here: https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/gottman-method-couples-counselling-what-it-is-how-it-helps-and-what-to-expect

You’re also welcome to reach out to book a free 15-minute consultation by sending my an email at [email protected].

Learn more about what Gottman Method Couples Counselling is, who it can help, and if it is right for you and your partner.

18/04/2026

Big update!!

Four Pillars Counselling is now offering in-person sessions in Howick, Auckland.

📍 Crawford Wellness Centre
2 Picton Street, Howick

Online sessions aren’t going anywhere (they’ve been doing great work), but if you’ve been looking for face-to-face counselling in East Auckland, that’s now officially an option.

No Wi-Fi issues. No frozen screens. Just two humans in a room doing the work.

If you’re curious, I wrote a short blog about it here:
https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/four-pillars-counselling-now-offers-in-person-sessions-in-howick

Feel free to reach out or book a session anytime.

18/04/2026

Here at Four Pillars Counselling, I’ve recently taken a pretty big step and am now offering in-person counselling sessions in Howick, Auckland.

Sessions are available at:
Crawford Wellness Centre
2 Picton Street, Howick

Online counselling will absolutely continue, but for those who prefer being in the room (or are specifically looking for in-person therapy in East Auckland), that’s now available.

I put together a short blog post announcing it with more detail:

https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/four-pillars-counselling-now-offers-in-person-sessions-in-howick

If you’ve been considering counselling or want to learn more, feel free to reach out.

For a while, online counselling has been doing the heavy lifting around here. No commute, no parking drama, no trying to look like you have your life together in a waiting room. But now there’s a new development: Four Pillars Counselling is now offering in-person counselling sessions in Howick, Au

12/11/2025

🌿 Reclaiming Calm: How Mindfulness Supports the Four Pillars of Wellbeing 🌿

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us live in our heads — worrying, overthinking, or moving from one demand to the next without ever slowing down.

Mindfulness offers a simple, practical way to reconnect with the present moment.
In my latest blog, I explore how mindfulness supports each of the Four Pillars of Wellbeing we use at Four Pillars Counselling:

– Physical: calming the nervous system
– Mental & Emotional: easing anxiety and overwhelm
– Social & Familial: helping us stay present with the people we care about
– Meaning & Values: reconnecting with what truly matters

Mindfulness aligns naturally with person-centred counselling and can be integrated with approaches such as CBT, Narrative Therapy, ACT, SFBT, and Te Whare Tapa Whā.

If you’re looking for ways to slow down, feel grounded, and reconnect with yourself, this article is a great place to start.

👉 Read it here: https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/reclaiming-calm-how-mindfulness-supports-the-four-pillars-of-wellbeing

Mindfulness helps calm the mind, strengthen emotional balance, and support the Four Pillars of Wellbeing. Learn how mindfulness fits into counselling at Four Pillars Counselling in Auckland.

06/11/2025

🤖 Why AI Can’t Replace a Real Counsellor

AI chatbots and “virtual therapy” tools promise instant mental health support — but they can’t replace human empathy or professional care.

A counsellor offers something no algorithm can:
– A safe, trusting relationship
– The ability to recognise distress and risk
– The balance of affirming your feelings and challenging unhelpful beliefs

In my latest blog, I discuss why relying on AI for therapy can be risky — including the growing concerns around “AI psychosis” and the dangers of over-validation.

At Four Pillars Counselling, our work remains grounded in genuine human connection, person-centred practice, and the holistic principles of Te Whare Tapa Whā — caring for body, mind, relationships, and values.

🧠 Read the full article here: www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/why-ai-cant-replace-a-real-counsellor-and-what-you-need-to-know

AI chatbots may seem like a quick fix for mental health support, but they come with serious risks when replacing person-centred counselling. Learn why human connection still matters in Auckland and New Zealand.

11/10/2025

💬 Person-Centred Counselling: Understanding the Whole You

At Four Pillars Counselling, we believe healing begins with understanding. Our person-centred approach focuses on empathy, acceptance, and collaboration — helping you explore your experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

🌿 Learn more about our approach here: https://www.fourpillarscounselling.co.nz/blog/what-is-person-centred-counselling-how-this-approach-helps-you-feel-understood-and-empowered

Learn how person-centred counselling works and why it’s one of the most trusted therapeutic approaches in New Zealand. Discover how Four Pillars Counselling integrates this model with a holistic, culturally grounded philosophy.

14/09/2025

Through my work as a personal trainer and nutritionist in the physical health space and a counsellor in the mental/emotional health space, one truth has become evident:

💡🧠💪 Physical health and mental health are linked far more powerfully than many of us realise.

Now, as a therapist in Auckland, I bring that experience into my counselling work — helping clients find balance across body, mind, lifestyle, and values.

In my latest blog, I dive into what “Holistic Therapy” really means, and why the connection between physical and mental wellbeing matters so much.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.holistictherapy.co.nz/blogs/news/the-connection-between-physical-and-mental-health-why-holistic-therapy-matters-in-auckland

Why Physical and Mental Health Are Inseparable In New Zealand, mental health conversations often focus on the mind alone. But anyone who has struggled with stress, burnout, or depression knows that our bodies are affected too. Sleep disturbances, tension, fatigue, and appetite changes all highlight....