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 1:1 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.
Irka
Children’s Manager
Irka has extensive facilitation of social services, counselling and family violence knowledge. Strong belief in making a difference and giving children a voice in an effort to build on their strengths while creating vision for change is her passion.
Irka creates safe spaces for children to explore resilience and build on their emotional safety though play, art therapies and psycho educational programmes.
Phil
Men's Manager
Ko Te Aupōuri ko Te Ātiawa ko Ngāti Tama nga iwi.
Ko Phil Adams ahau.
As one of the team working as a Group Facilitator for the Men’s group, for me working with RESPECT is a chance to help other men to shape their lives into positive and affirmative experiences for themselves and others.
I’m also a facilitator of Restorative Justice conferences, this is a victim-centred process with the focus in this space on creating a safe environment for dialogue between those involved and the opportunity to identify ways to restore the balance.
I’m also the proud father of four children, two grandchildren and uncle to a tribe of nephews and nieces.
Francine
Women's 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.
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.
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.
Jamie
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
What do I like most about my job?
- The privilege to be part of the magic of healing
- Amazing support, care and appreciation from the Team
- Huge scope to continue to grow and improve in my role
What’s my life like outside of work?
- Connecting with love ones
- Playing guitar in a Funk/Soul band
- Surfing and building guitars with mates
Who/what inspires me?
- Being completely connected to my intuition
- Floating In Water
- Music
Sione
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Sione has 20 years’ experience in the social services sector as a registered counsellor and programme facilitator.
He is of Tongan/Samoan descent and born and raised in New Zealand.
He is passionate about making New Zealand violent free place by working with men to be the finest partners, husband and fathers to their family.
He is also driven to provide an effective service that caters to woman, children and family needs to have safe, healthy and happy relationships.
In his spare time, Sione enjoys watching sport, listening to music and most importantly spending quality time with his children.
Jacki
Counsellor/Group Facilitator/Educator
Jacki began working in the area of Family Violence in 2008, proving counselling and education. She has worked with Respect and Shine. 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.
Jacki has a BA in Education and a master’s in Art Therapy. Her certifications include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, FV Response Based Practice, Search Inside Yourself program (mindfulness and emotional intelligence), Restorative Justice and Clinical Supervision certification for health and social service professionals (NZQA).
Phoenix
Registered Counselling Psychologist
Gel
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Born in the Philippines and having migrated to New Zealand at a young age, he understands experiences of being displaced, the identity issues that generation 1.5 migrants experience, and navigating new cultural spaces.
Previously, Gel has completed a Bachelor of Arts, with postgraduate honours in Sociology, and worked in the justice sector, predominantly in the Family and Mental Health Court. He understands that issues, be it family harm, anxiety, depression, and mental health issues are not simply situated solely in the person, but have interactions with aspects of community, and society.
Gel has a bachelor’s degree in Counselling and is a Provisional member of NZAC.
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
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.
Karen
Counsellor/GroupFacilitator/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.
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 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 NZAC 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 in Law.
Ruby sits of 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 currently works for The Blind Foundation as a counsellor and Child and Family Social Worker and has a private 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
