About Us

The Canterbury Men's Centre

The Canterbury Men's Centre is committed to promoting the well-being of men throughout Canterbury, with the ultimate goal of fostering happy and healthy lives for them.

Our efforts encompass a range of services and initiatives.

Front Door To Reception Area

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Waiting Room

Our waiting rooms are warm comfortable, help yourself to coffee or tea we will not keep you waiting long. and then one of our councillors will collect you and proceed to one of our counselling rooms.

Free Resources

We offer a diverse selection of booklets and leaflets filled with valuable tips and hints to assist you in discovering the appropriate organisations and resources. Among these resources, our renowned publication, "The Bloke's Book," is available for download on our website or click here.


Counselling Match Maker - First Session FREE!

Book a consultation

Have a question? We’re here to help. Send us a message and we’ll get be in touch.

Anger Management Therapy: Our experienced therapists specialise in anger management therapy, offering effective strategies and support to help individuals manage their anger constructively.


Tailored Treatment: We understand that anger issues can vary, so our services cater to different needs, including therapy for teens and adults alike. We provide tailored treatment plans to address your specific concerns.


Online and In-Person Options: Whether you prefer the convenience of at-home counselling or the structure of in-person sessions, we offer both online and traditional counselling services to meet your preferences.


Cost-Effective Solutions: Managing anger shouldn't break the bank. We provide cost-effective counselling services, ensuring that quality therapy is accessible to everyone.


Interactive Courses and Workbooks: Our anger management classes and workbooks are designed to be engaging and practical, providing you with the tools and knowledge to overcome anger issues.



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    Supportive Group Sessions: Sometimes, sharing experiences with others who face similar challenges can be incredibly helpful. 


    We offer group counseling sessions where you can connect with others on a journey to anger management.


    Autism-Aware Counseling: We recognise the unique needs of individuals with autism. Our therapists are trained to provide specialized support to those on the autism spectrum dealing with anger management issues.


    Management Issues Test: Unsure if you need anger management counseling? 


    Take our management issues test to gain insight into your anger-related concerns.


    At our center, we believe in providing holistic support for anger management. 


    Our one-stop approach means you can access a range of services, including therapy, classes, and resources, all under one roof.


    Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our goal is to help you develop healthier ways of dealing with anger and achieving a more balanced and fulfilling life. 


    Contact us today to take the first step towards effective anger management.


Meet the Board

Watene Hema (Co-Chair)

Watene is a descendant of Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa but was raised in the heart of Te Mahunua – The McKenzie country.

He is currently based in Ōtautahi were he works for New Zealand Māori Golf and Golf New Zealand.


Watene has also spent 7 years in the recreation sector across both local government and regional sport trusts.


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    Watene is a strong advocate for recreation and physical activity and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to access recreational opportunities when and how they want to. Watene is also a current board member of Recreation Aotearoa, a national body that supports the recreation industry across Aotearoa.


    Watene has been involved with the Canterbury Men's Centre since 2021 and has a passion for the not-for-profit sector, and in particular, the kaupapa of CMC, which supports so many tāne across Waitaha.



        Tā Mark Solomon (Trustee)

Tā Mark Solomon was born and raised in Christchurch where he lives there with his wife Maria, their children and extended whānau. Tā Mark served as Kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council of Ngāi Tahu, for approximately 18 years, from 1998 until December 2016. In 2013, he was recognised as Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and Business.

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    He was previously deputy Chair of Canterbury District Health Board, and is also founding Chairman of the Māori Carbon Collective. He is on Te Pukotahitanga, The Māori advisory group to the Government’s joint venture on family violence and sexual violence. Tā Mark has been a strong advocate in Te Waipounamu for Tū Pono: Te Mana Kaha o te Whānau, a whānau-driven movement that has a focus to explore ways of enabling a stronger Māori response to reduce and eliminate family harm/violence. More recently he was appointed to the steering group who provided advice for the establishment of the Māori Health Authority.





Mike Miller

Bachelor of Honours (Psychology) P.G.Dip Counselling

 

 Mike is currently completing his Master of Counselling and has many years of therapeutic practice.

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    He focuses on Solution Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with a foundation built


    around person-centredness. He has worked in the criminal justice system as well as the alcohol and


    drug field and has a passion for sport and health psychology

Mata Samatua

Dip. Couns , Provisional Member, Registered with NZAC


Mata was born in Rarotonga and raised in New Zealand. She has devoted her earlier life into raising her two children into adulthood.

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    Now after working on her own personal challenges. Mata is committed to supporting her counselling clients on their own journey of self-discovery and healing.


    Mata works principally from the framework of the person-centred modality while also incorporating techniques from Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution focus in her support of clients with depression, anxiety, anger management, abuse and family issues.


    Mata works with a wide range of client across all ages and ethnicities. When she is not working, Mata is focused on her extended family and is an active member of her local Toast Masters Club.


    One-on-One Counselling & Couples Counselling

Phil Taylor

Dip Counselling PMNZAC


Phil describes himself as a “60`s child who was born and raised in Christchurch” He I loves camping, fishing, sports and music of any kind.


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    In his early life Phil was a “tradie”, working in the agricultural sector along with being a stay at home dad.


    It was Phil’s own experience of mental health that led him to study and train as a counsellor in his late forties. 


    He graduated in Person-Centered Counselling in 2011\12. Initially, He worked at the Men`s Centre as a volunteer then left to be a Family counsellor in North Canterbury in 2017.


     He has now returned to the Men’s Center one day a week (currently).


    Phil also operates a private practice in North Canterbury. He says he has an eclectic way of working with people, using tools such as acceptance-commitment therapy, solution-focus therapy and Gestalt among others.


     It is Phil’s belief that no one therapy works for everyone therefore he has a wide range of tools to draw on. He enjoys working with clients living with depression, suicidal thoughts, loss and grief, anxiety, relationship issues and more.


    Mai i te Kopae ki te Urupu, tatou ako tonu ai.


    From the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning.


    .

Mel Rodrick

Counsellor, Person Centred, Dip. Couns., Member Registered with NZAC

 I have been counselling here at the Canterbury Men’s Centre since November 2011. I’m Indian by birth, Kiwi by nationality and international through experience.


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    In a previous life, I’ve had twenty plus years of marketing and sales experience, nine of these years in Dubai. 


    The time I spent abroad exposed me to interesting cultural experiences throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the C.I.S (After the breakup of the U.S.S.R) South East Asia and the Far East.For the last ten years in New Zealand, I’ve been involved in the Mental Health and AOD sector.


     This diversity of experiences has consolidated my awareness and learning that life is to be celebrated. As a counsellor, I’m privileged to be a part of that process.


     So come visit and share your experiences with us and have a laugh, because as a wise man once said “Laughter is the key to heaven”.


    I have studied various modalities of counselling and psychotherapy. I am also a certified Neuro Linguistic and Neuro Semantic Practitioner.


     My experience has enabled me to develop an Integrated Style of counselling, with an Outcome Focused approach, specifically in couples counselling.


     I have successfully counselled hundreds of couples in their times of conflict.


    My core belief is that all relationships have situations, which due to a lack of communication coalesce into ‘Problems’.


     My focus is to help You’ll identify what each of you wants in your relating to each other and then facilitate Conflict Resolution strategies to enable You’ll to attain your goals.


    I also focus on the neuro-psychotherapy of the brain; enabling couples to understand how to change from ‘Reacting’ to ‘Responding’. 


    This helps retrain the brain against thinking and reacting improperly to any negative cognition or triggers that may present in your future. It would be my privilege to accompany you on your journey to peace and love.


    One-on-One/ Couples Counselling


Chris Frost

Student Counsellor

 

Tēnā koe ko Chris taku ingoa. Chris is in his 2nd year at Vision Collage completing his Bachelor in Counselling. As a self-diagnosed adult with ADHD, Chris brings a wealth compassion and understanding to his counselling practice.


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    A committed father and husband, who with his wife has fostered several children, Chris has an understanding of the difficulties families face, both with the systems within which people work, and the realities of parenting through challenging times. 


    Chris has a long-standing compassion and desire to support those who are seeking something more and has worked in drug and alcohol rehab with young people, as well as a significant period of time overseas living and working with disadvantaged families. 


    The desire to work with men, to build mana and find hope is central to his worldview.


     Chris is person-centred in his approach to counselling, working with people, and at their speed.


    One-on-One Counselling


Barry Mathers

Dip Counselling PMNZAC


Barry has a varied career which includes working with street kids in Christchurch, the commercial forestry sector, river bank restoration, testing for the New Zealand Aids Foundation and now counselling.


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    My training is in person-centred counselling where I walk alongside you through your times of difficulty helping you to better understand yourself. 


    I have three adult children, have been through separation and divorce, and came out later in life.


     I am a great fan of men's groups where men support men to be better men, co-founded a gay men's group and co-facilitated the Mensline support group held at the Mens centre.


     My interests seem to be heading toward working with grief and trauma and helping men through those challenging change times in life.


    One-on-One Counselling



William Walmsley (Will)

Registered AOD Practitioner and Counsellor (Dapaanz)

 

 Will grew up in New Brighton and attended school there. Life changed for him when
his mother died during his teenage years.


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    This tipped him into a roller coaster of

    depression and eventually drug dependency. At age 30 a significant life event

    changed Will’s world view and his focus became supporting others. 


    This has led to his becoming a youth worker and then an adult educator (Christchurch College of

    education) and later a group facilitator.


    Today Will is a clinical manager working within a custodial space and is passionate

    about helping men to make meaningful changes in their lives and realising their

    potential. 


    He brings to his counselling work at the Canterbury Men’s Centre his own

    lived experience of mental health and addiction along with twenty-seven years of life

    and work experience.


    Having a love of travel Will has journeyed extensively through Europe and also

    worked in the UK. 


    He is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys spending time with his two boys


    One-on-One Counselling

Pretty Brown

Bachelor of Counselling, Provisional Member NZAC


Pretty graduated with her Bachelor of Counselling course at Laidlaw College. The focus of her work is a combination of Person Centred and Narrative modalities.


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    Her passion is to offer hope via her practice. She has had to learn this from her own life experiences and now wishes to share this with others.


    Growing up in Zambia, Pretty immigrated to New Zealand as a twenty-year-old. 


    She is now very active in supporting those in the migrant community and expects to do this as a special part of her work at the CMC.


    Pretty brings to her counselling work a lifetime of experience which includes raising her four children as a widow. 


    When she has some time for herself you can usually find her curled up with a good book.


    One-on-One Counselling

Regina Webb

Counsellor


I am a qualified and experienced counsellor committed to helping individuals and couples overcome the challenges they face and live more fulfilling lives.



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    As a counsellor, I believe every person has the strength and resilience to overcome difficulties. My role is to provide a safe and supportive space for them to explore their feelings and experiences.


     I use a person-centred approach, which means I work collaboratively with my clients to understand their unique needs and goals and develop a personalized treatment plan that suits them.


    I have extensive experience working with clients on various issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and relationship issues.


     I use evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapy, to help my clients develop the skills and insights they need to overcome their difficulties and improve their quality of life.


    I offer counselling services for both individual and couples settings. I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all my clients, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. I am an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and welcome clients from all walks of life.


    If you’re struggling with any of the issues I’ve mentioned or simply feel stuck or overwhelmed in your life, I’m here to help. Please feel free to get in touch with me to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a happier, healthier you.


    One-on-One Counselling & Couples Counselling



Donne McKelvey

Bachelor of Counselling, Registered with NZAC, Counsellor Dip in Nursing,

 Donne completed her Bachelor in Counselling at Vision College.

She is has a strong interest in family systems work building on her many years as a Plunket nurse and parenting group leader.


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    In addition, she has a particular strength in working with people struggling with mental health challenges.


    She is enjoying her work at the Men’s Centre supporting her clients to be great fathers and partners. 


    Donne works from both a Person-centred and Cognitive perspective aligning with client needs at each session.


    One-on-One Counselling

Greg Healey

Counsellor


I moved to Aotearoa/New Zealand in 2017, to be with my Kiwi partner, and lived in Auckland for two years before settling in her home town, Ōtautahi/Christchurch.


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    I was awarded an M.Sc. In the Psychology of Human Potential by Liverpool John Moore’s University in 1996 and developed my interest in how we relate to significant people in our lives, so, 


    I followed this training as a relationship counsellor with Relate UK where I worked for 20 years until I moved to Aotearoa.


    I have experience with supporting autistic clients and their relationship partners. I am an experienced provider of Couple Therapy for Depression with the Tavistock Institute London.


    I have 30 years’ experience as a Science teacher in the UK and Sweden and I am a proud grandfather. I offer couple and individual counselling.


    One-on-One Counselling


Luisa Ramos


        B. Sc (Psychology), Master of Counselling



My aim is to help each individual function at his best. I offer a safe place for him to express self freely and to illuminate his own thoughts and feelings along with his inner power.


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    My therapy style is rooted in Existentialism, Person-centred Approach and SFBT and I offer short-term or long-term therapy.


    The therapeutic process might help the individual to develop lasting tools/strategies to overcome his concerning issues at the present time or issues he may encounter in the future.


     It also might facilitate the journey of awakening the self's ability to feel, heal and grow, so he may be able to experience a more meaningful and enjoyable life.


    One-on-One Counselling



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