The Team

Each therapist specialises in different areas and in working with different age groups.  Please use the contact form or call us to discuss the needs of your child or family.  We will ensure you are placed with the therapist who is likely to be the best fit for your individual circumstances.
Brett Harrington - Takapuna

B.A. MA Arts Therapy (Clinical)

Brett Harrington is a register clinical art therapist with a specialisation in ADHD management.  She’s been working with child and adults with ADHD as a therapist, coach and counsellor for over a decade. At Rainbow House, Brett supports children and families to develop strategies for managing ADHD at home and at school in a manner that is positive, accepting and informed in complex ways that ADHD can impact functioning.  Brett’s approach includes Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and psycho-education often delivered through creative and visual means.

Kate Eastman​​ - Greenlane

PG.Dip.Coun Grad Dip Psyc

I am trained in psychotherapy and counselling. I spent the first 7 years of my career working in public mental health in south Auckland. Since 2010 I have worked with young people at Rainbow house. <br> I use an eclectic therapy model focusing on CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, Rogerian, play and person-centred approaches. I have extensive knowledge and experience of working with neurodiverse communities particularly as they transition throughout life’s stages. Supporting both the young person, their families and school environments.
Viola Beintken - Howick

M.A. Spec.Ed PG.Dip.Coun MNZAC

Qualified Counsellor and Special Needs
Educator adept at providing effective
therapeutic services using creative and
versatile approaches including talk therapies (Narrative and Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy) and play and art-based interventions. Experienced and knowledgeable in
neurodiversity and in addressing concerns
like anxiety, depression, trauma and loss.
Kathy Henwood - Henderson

BA, Adv Dip Tchg, Dip STN, Adv Dip CounPsych

Therapist with many years of experience as a teacher in the speciality area of Learning Support in primary and secondary education. Has worked both in New Zealand and overseas with neurodiverse students and their families, supporting young people in their learning journeys. Currently using Narrative Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help clients transform their thinking, manage issues such as Anxiety and Anger, and bring about positive change in their lives.

Sarah Jardine - Greenlane

PGDipSc, PGCertHSc (CBT), MHSc (ICAMH) RDI® Programme Trained

Experienced Clinical Therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the developmental field and mental health care within New Zealand.  Skilled in working alongside neurodiverse children, adolescents and young people with OCD, anxiety, depression and psychosocial difficulties.  Sarah uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), incorporating Humanistic approaches with a developmental lens to provide highly individualized and strength based therapeutic interventions for children, young people and their families. Sarah is Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) and Feuerstein trained.

Lesia Smith - Papamoa

BAHum BSocSci (Hons) MA Neuropsychology

I am a qualified, registered Neuropsychologist (in South Africa and New Zealand) with over 10-years’ experience working with children with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or acquired brain pathology. In South Africa, I worked in an Adult Neurology Ward and Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Clinic within community hospital settings, as well as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit before working in private practice for nearly 5-years, mainly with paediatrics. I then moved to New Zealand in August 2020, and have been working as Neuropsychologist with both children and adults since then. Compassionate curiosity, authenticity, and genuine care for my clients and their whānau is at the centre of my quality-focused and client-centred work. I truly value neurodiversity and multidisciplinary work.

Therapeutic Modalities/Orientation: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Mindfulness; Functional Analysis; Neurocognitive Rehabilitation; Neuropsychoanalysis; Play Therapy; Body-Mind Therapies; Brain Working Recursive Therapy.

Marty Blayney (he/they) - Greenlane

and Henderson

Intern Psychologist MHSc (Counselling Psychology)

Marty (he/they) is a Intern Psychologist on a path to becoming a fully registered Counselling Psychologist, I am dedicated to guiding individuals towards holistic wellbeing and leading fulfilling lives. I specialise in LGBTQIA+ mental health, neurodiversity, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and depression.

Drawing from my background and experience, I provide support to young adults and youth across Aotearoa/NZ, with a focus on helping individuals with strategies to enhance their wellbeing, navigate life changes or come to terms with challenging experiences. I adopt a holistic approach, considering each person’s life story and experiences in their entirety.

I utilise evidence based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Additionally, I incorporate Te Whare Tapa Whā and person-centred methodologies, recognising the importance of cultural sensitivity and individualised care.

Whether you’re seeking guidance through life transitions, striving to improve your overall wellbeing, or grappling with difficult circumstances, I am here to accompany you on your journey toward personal growth and resilience. Together, let’s explore your life story and empower you to thrive.

Sahrish Ahmad - Greenlane

BS Hons. Psychology, MS Clinical Psychology, PhD Psychology

I am a qualified and registered Clinical Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. I began my professional journey in clinical psychology in 2014 following the completion of my Masters degree. I worked in the public and private sector in Pakistan for 3 years before coming to New Zealand in 2017. I joined Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at Counties Manukau in 2020.  In my career, I have worked with young people and adults supporting them in coping with generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, specific phobias, depression, mood dysregulation, trauma and other stress related difficulties. I have acquired experience in assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Most importantly, my work has made me cognizant of the support that individuals with neurodiversity and their families need. As a clinician, I tap into various therapeutic modalities such as CBT, REBT, Gestalt and family therapy to facilitate change and acceptance. I also take interest in understanding how family dynamics have a role to play in mental health. Hence, this area formed a significant part of my doctoral research.

Leshaun Perumal - Greenlane and Flatbush

BA SW (Psychology Major), BTh, MM-PDM, PGCert ICAMH

Kia ora. I have a deep passion to see people flourish. I was trained in one-to-one counselling as well as groupwork modalities for 4 years as part of a Social Work degree, also majoring in Psychology. Using a range of therapeutic strategies and modalities, I aim to work alongside children, teens, and their families, to build existing strength’s whilst understanding their current challenges. These include crisis intervention, brief intervention, family therapy and psychoeducation. My clinical experience includes behavioural specialist work, child & teen mental health, children’s hospital work, statutory care & protection, disability, Christian counselling, and addiction. My work in Child & Adolescent Mental Health increased my exposure to neurodiversity and the type of support that individuals and their families need following a diagnosis. I love to work with children and teens and have done so in different ways for over 20 years which include mentorship, swim instructing, and youth leadership. Ngā mihi nui
Rebecca (Becky) Iona

BApp Theol, PGDip Creative Arts Therapy

I am an emerging creative arts therapist on a pathway to becoming fully trained and registered.  With more than 20 years of experience, I have worked extensively with children and young people in mentoring, youth work, pastoral care, education, statutory care and protection, youth justice, and therapeutic roles. Throughout my career, I have engaged with young people from diverse backgrounds, including those with anxiety, depression, mental health, complex trauma, challenging and offending behaviors, emotional dysregulation, learning difficulties, neurodiversity and FASD.
I encompass a holistic, person-centered, trauma informed and strengths-based approach, valuing cultural sensitivity and individualized care.  My practice incorporates the creative arts within various therapeutic modalities such as nature-based therapy, narrative therapy, attachment therapy, family systems therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, te whare tapa wha, and fonofale. Additionally, I can provide psychoeducation to the client and their support network. 
I am deeply committed to strengthening young people’s well-being and accompanying them as they navigate their own personal journey. 
Tanvi Rodrigues - Greenlane

MA Dance Movement Therapy (University of Auckland), Dip. Dance Movement Therapy

Kia ora. The fundamental connection between the mind and body forms the basis of my practice as a Creative Arts Therapist. My work integrates concepts of Polyvagal Theory, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Laban/ Bartenieff Movement Analysis, Mindfulness and Authentic Movement. I adopt a multi-modal approach using a combination of verbal dialogue, movement, art and music to support the individual’s mental health. Employing a trauma-informed lens and person-centric approach, I have worked with neurodiversity across different age groups in multiple settings, predominately in schools and community centres.

My experience includes delivering individual and group interventions to neurodiverse children, teenagers and young adults in various areas: social skills, self-confidence, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, grief and loss – by resourcing the individual’s own strengths and cultivating behaviour support frameworks. I believe in creating a collaborative therapeutic approach to empower the individual’s holistic wellbeing, together with their whanau, framed within a culturally sensitive perspective.

Hannah - Greenlane

PGDip Counselling (Dist), Grad Dip (Psychology, Dist), PGDip Sports Mgmt (Dist), BBS.  Member NZAC, Registered Mindfulness Teacher (MTIA)

I am a registered NZAC counsellor and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher and am passionate about acceptance and strength-based solutions to support neurodivergent young people and their families.
My practice is based on the client-centred values of connection, compassion and safety. With a speciality focus in Autism, ADHD, OCD and parent support I use a variety of therapeutic techniques including – Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family systems, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Polyvagal theory, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and trauma-sensitive mindfulness.  In addition to individual and family counselling, I also run group courses in emotional regulation, mindfulness and psychoeducation for caregivers.

Diva Ford (they/she)

BFA Hons, PgDip Creative Arts Therapy, MA Creative Arts Therapy (Clinical) Hons, AThR

Kia ora, I am a registered creative arts therapist with a foundation in strengths-based, holistic, and person-centred approaches. My therapeutic experience is in group and 1:1 contexts working with young people with diverse life experiences from primary to young adult ages, supporting general well-being, neurodiversity, mental health, and the LGBTTQIA+ community.

Trauma informed, culturally aware, and neurodiverse affirming approaches guide inter-modal exploration in my practice. This includes a combination of creative processes and talking, and a variety of modalities such as visual art making, narrative, movement, drama, and play, as well as psychoeducation, and visualisation and mindfulness techniques.

I believe in inviting young people to lead the way in their own therapeutic journey, travelling together with their supports and whanau, and working collaboratively with the arts to explore identity and self-expression, develop tools for anxiety and emotional regulation, grow confidence and social connections, and support the discovery of each person’s unique strengths and skills.

Sharon Laurent Anderson - Takapuna

BHSc (Hons)(Psych), PGCertHSc

Sharon is a qualified professional with expertise in psychology, particularly specialising in child and adolescent mental health. With a first-class honours degree in psychology, Sharon is dedicated and committed to advancing her knowledge and skills to better serve her clients. Currently pursuing her postgraduate certificate in child and adolescent mental health at Auckland University. Sharon has also completed specialised courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focusing on its application in children and adolescents, as well as in treating depression and anxiety disorders.

 Sharon’s therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered therapy, emphasizing collaboration and mutual respect between therapist and client. She works closely with her clients as a team, assisting them in navigating challenges, managing emotions, problem-solving, and developing effective coping strategies. Her goal is to empower her clients to become more adaptable and resilient by fostering flexibility in their thinking patterns.

With her extensive academic background and practical experience, Sharon Laurence-Anderson is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health support to children, adolescents, and their families.

Kavneet Kritika Prakash

Bachelor of Applied Counselling Registration: NZAC and Dapaanz

I am a qualified registered counsellor. I have had the opportunity to work in a range of settings. I have worked with young children and youth in school settings providing counselling and psycho-education around Alcohol and other Drugs. I have facilitated group sessions, holiday programmes and parenting programmes.  

Some of the modalities that I have been trained in are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Te Whare Tapa Wha, Tihei-Wa Mauri Ora, Fonofale, Talanoa, Art Therapy, Sand tray Therapy and the core of my therapeutic work is Person-centred Therapy. I weave in different aspects of the variety of modalities to tailor a unique intervention plan for each of my clients.

I believe that every individual has their own strengths to navigate through their journey and my role is to walk alongside my clients and support them with my knowledge and experiences in a professional and empathic manner.

Yibing Yang (they/them)

Counselling Psychologist (PgDipCounsPsych, MAPsych, NZPB registered)

Make therapy work for you. I specialise and enjoy working with neurodiverse youth and young adults, especially those who have had challenging therapeutic experiences in the past. In this space, you take the lead in steering your journey towards a rich and meaningful life.

Drawing on both lived experience and professional knowledge in minority stress, I primarily work through the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model to help you embrace the full range of emotions and strengthen skills that align with your own values and goals. My specialities include rainbow health, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, school/workplace wellbeing, and aim to provide a culturally safe space. 我可以提供中文咨询.

I was born in Beijing and spent my formative years in Lower Hutt, I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in psychology from New York University. With fondness for Aotearoa, I returned and trained as a counselling psychologist, continuing my mission to support minority wellbeing.