The team changing lives
Our team
We use a team of qualified counsellors and facilitators to deliver our group and individual programmes. All our counsellors and facilitators are highly trained in the dynamics of family violence and very experienced in group and individual work.
Bridget
General Manager
Bridget believes that no matter what the family situation, finding someone to talk to can make a world of difference.
An experienced counsellor, Bridget helps people who have experienced or are
experiencing family violence and it’s complexities.
Jazz
Men's Programmes Manager
Supporting men in taking a step in the right direction to help shape positive and healthy relationships for themselves and the people around them.
Over 4 years’ service in a high-security men’s corrections facility as the lead physical education officer and sports coordinator.
Great passion for helping people and contributing to making a safer community for our family and friends.
Irka
Children’s Programmes Manager
Irka has extensive facilitation of social services, counselling and family violence knowledge. She has a passion for making a difference and giving children a voice, in an effort to build on their strengths while creating vision for change.
Irka creates safe spaces for children to explore resilience and build on their emotional safety though play, art therapies and psycho educational programmes.
Francine
Women's Programmes Manager
Francine considers it a privilege to work alongside women and build strong healthy relationships. She is passionate to see women live out their full potential and become strong role models for the next generation.
Francine is a provisional member of NZAC.
Alice
Child Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Alice is a child’s counsellor and group facilitator at Respect.
Alice has a background of working with children from all different sectors. She is very passionate about children’s mental health and believes her ability to connect with children can provide them with a space where they can learn and grow.
Alice loves animals, spending time with friends and family and exploring the outdoors!
Keryn
Group Facilitator/Funding Coordinator
Keryn is a group facilitator for Respect’s Strengthening Women’s programme, and loves supporting & equipping women to process, heal, and move towards a place of wellbeing and wholeness.
Keryn is also our funding coordinator, bringing in funding to resource the organisation so we can keep helping people who have been impacted by family violence.
Sione
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Sione has 15 years experience in the family violence sector working with men.
He is passionate about making New Zealand a violence-free country by working with men to learn strategies for breaking the cycle of abuse and violence.
He is Tongan/Samoan, in his spare time, Sione enjoys watching sport, listening to music and most importantly spending quality time with his family.
He is a full member of NZCCA.
Sandra
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Warm Pacific Greetings,
“Trauma may happen to you, but it can never define you.” ― Melinda Longtin
My name is Sandra and I am here to meet you where you are. I aim to work in partnership with all Wāhine to make meaning of their experiences and support their process towards healing and wholeness.
Provisional member of NZAC
Jamie
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Jamie has been facilitating groups and conducting individual therapy as a counsellor since 2013, has worked with Respect since 2016 and has practiced as a registered Psychotherapist with Psychotherapist Board of Aotearoa New Zealand since 2017. Jamie has a passion for giving men the skills they need to be healthy positive role models for their families, loved ones and the wider community. With a focus on how to create healthy supportive relationships through increased self awareness, accountability and healthy communication skills.
Jacki
Counsellor/Group Facilitator/Educator
Jacki began working in the area of Family Violence in 2008, proving counselling and education. Jacki has primarily worked with women, and children. She has provided family violence education to corporate organisations, education facilities and broadly with in community and social services. Jacki offers family violence supervision to other practitioners and counsellors.
Jacki has a BA in Education and a Master’s in Art Therapy. Her certifications include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Violence Response Based Practice, Search Inside Yourself program (mindfulness and emotional intelligence), Restorative Justice and Clinical Supervision certification for health and social service professionals (NZQA).
Kerstin
Registered Social Worker
I have been practising as a social worker for over 15 years working in different areas of the social work field including schools, care and protection and residential services.
I work from a strengths-based, solution-focused and trauma-informed approach, I see myself walking alongside whanau facilitating positive change.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and being in nature. I enjoy reading, being creative and doing puzzles.
I am a fully registered social worker.
Gel
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Gel works as a counsellor with the men to address, explore and find alternatives to the client’s problem story, with the intent that men can find other ways of being that allow them (and the people around them) to heal, flourish, and have hope for the future.
Gel is a provisional member of the New Zealand Christian Counselling Association, and a graduate of Laidlaw College’s Bachelor of Counselling.
Karen
Counsellor/Group Facilitator/Advocate
I have been in the health industry for 20 years and have a passion for supporting women, children, and teenagers who are dealing with the effects of abuse and violence. It is the right of all to live lives free of abuse and violence. It is my goal to empower each of my clients and support them as they grow in their journey towards healing. I believe in a holistic approach and integrate Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and other Creative Expressive Interventions.
Karen has a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling and is a member of the NZAC.
Jenni
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Jenni has been in the Counselling and Facilitation fields for 30 years.
She began her training with Youthline, Psychodrama and Human Development and Training Institute and has a continued interest in the Impact of Colonization on our Indigenous Communities, Trauma, Neuroscience, Creative therapies and Mindfulness.
Jenni has experience working with children and teenagers; although now works primarily with Adult women, and cofacilitating Men’s and Women’s programs.
She is a full member of NZAC.
Ethel
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Ethel is a counsellor and group facilitator working with children and women. She enjoys facilitating young children in play therapy and psycho-education programmes.
Ethel is passionate about creating a safe space for women to better understand their life journeys, feel better and more confident, and accomplish their goals.
She speaks Hakka, Mandarin Chinese, and English. She has a passionate interest in working with people from their own cultural perspectives. It is a privilege to help others find their unique ways of developing resilience and fulfilling lives.
Kristina
Accounts Administrator
Kristina has over 17 years working experience in broad industries, as medical equipment wholesale, construction and oversea trading. Graduated from University of Auckland with degree of Bachelor of Commerce and earned Certificate from CPA Australia. During off work time she would like spend time with her family and reading books and doing yoga.
Lynda
Administrator
Lynda is the administrator for Respect.
She comes from a background of administration having worked for small businesses in the recruitment, architecture and customer service fields.
Outside of work she enjoys being creative in the form of painting and art journaling. She also enjoys walking and travelling.
Our board
Alastair Duhs
Board Chairperson
Alastair Duhs is a counsellor in private practice who has worked in Stopping Violence programmes since 1992.
Alastair has previously been the Men’s Programme Manager, Clinical Manager and General Manager of Respect, as well as working in a number of other community and non-profit agencies.
Alastair has been a member of Respect since 1998 and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors since 2000. He remains committed to working with men, women and children to promote safe, respectful and non-violent relationships.
Ruby Manukia-Schaumkel
Board Member
Ruby Manukia-Schaumkel is a Lawyer, qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Ruby has over 19 years of experience in Governance, Law & Policy and Foreign Relations in New Zealand, Tonga and the United States of America. She is as former elected member of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and is currently studying towards her PhD.
Ruby sits on various boards and contributes to the community. She was awarded a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award for community involvement in 2014. Ruby’s interests are in sports, writing (Author of ‘Like a Dove’ book/publication) and enjoy spending time with her family.
Rowena Manning
Board Member
Rowena Manning is a registered Psychotherapist and Counsellor who has been counselling and facilitating groups at Respect for the past twenty years.
Rowena is a previous Manager of New Zealand Institute of Professional Counselling and has worked for five years at Massey University, Albany Campus, on the Human Ethics Committee. Rowena has a private clinical supervision practice.
Rowena is passionate about helping people live a life free from violence and abuse. Healthy relationships, excellent ethical practice, accountability, integrity and good governance are important to Rowena.
Our supporters
