Amy Benjamin Counselling

18/04/2026

09/03/2026

A very refreshing swim at Lake Mackenzie Hut on the Routeburn Track. Cold, clear alpine water and the most beautiful setting - the perfect way to finish a day of hiking 🩵

09/03/2026

Routeburn Track complete! 🥾
Three days, around 33 km of hiking, wild weather, incredible views, and a whole lot of gratitude for time spent exploring this magical part of Aotearoa, New Zealand. What an adventure! 🌿🏔️

03/01/2026

🩵

31/12/2025

Finishing the year with a 10km coastal walk in Mangawhai.
A strong climb to begin, a welcome stretch of flat through the bush,
mindful steps across the rocks,
and the joy of reaching the beach once more.
Grateful for movement, nature, and what the body can do.
Here’s to many more adventures in 2026.

31/12/2025

Mesmerising ocean patterns,
waves crash and roll in, then pull away.
One of my favourite moments is taking time to be with the ocean,
noticing the tide moving in and out,
listening to the language of the sea 🌊
and me, noticing,
breathing with the waves

01/11/2025

Hauora Kete – Tools for Transforming Trauma Retreat Day with .life.nz
Yesterday was a memorable day at our retreat, where a special group of women gathered for our Tools for Transforming Trauma retreat.
Together, we explored our metaphorical Hauora Kete (wellbeing basket), reflecting on the strands that support us now and the threads we wish to weave into our future. Activities included Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Creative Arts Therapy, Mindfulness-based Psychoeducation, Ecotherapy, and an optional walk to Rothesay Beach, connecting with te taiao (the natural world).
The day offered reflection, nourishment, and community, reminding us that healing can be woven together through shared experience.
We are already looking forward to our next retreats:
22nd Nov – Fully booked
6th Dec – Spaces available
This week, our 5 weekly Trauma-Sensitive Yoga groups run online or in person (Grey Lynn & Rothesay Bay). All participants require an ACC Sensitive Claim and registration is via the provider.
For more information or to register, visit https://www.brighterlife.nz/trauma-sensitive-yoga-nz and register here https://nelsonclinic.nz.
“E kore e taea e te whenu kotahi te raranga i te whāriki, kia rarangahia e ngā whenu maha te whāriki, kia tātau ai ngā kōrero o te wā.”
One strand alone cannot weave the mat, it takes many strands to complete the weaving, so it is with the stories of the people. 💚

28/09/2025

Exploring Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari 🏞️ Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, what a special place! Nestled in the heart of Waikato, this ancient forest is a living reminder of what Aotearoa used to be like before predators arrived. Walking through the predator-proof fence felt like stepping into another world. Towering native trees, birdsong all around, and even a cheeky kākā or two flying overhead. I was lucky enough to spot tūī, bellbirds, and even a hihi! We learned about all of the conservation efforts. It’s not just a walk in the forest; it’s a glimpse into the future of ecological restoration. 🌿🐦✨

27/09/2025

Captured a quiet moment of grounding - sitting beneath the towering redwoods of Rotorua, breathing in the earthy air, listening to birdsong, and soaking in the stillness that only a forest this ancient can offer.
It was a welcome reset for my nervous system after walking high above the forest floor on the Redwoods Treewalk.
✨ Grounded in nature. Elevated in spirit.
📍Redwoods Forest, Rotorua, NZ

27/09/2025

Picture 1 – Pink Blossoms in Spring
In spring, pink blossom trees brighten Rotorua with fleeting beauty. Their soft blooms remind us to slow down, breathe, and embrace change. They symbolise renewal, peace, and the delicate balance of life’s seasons.

Picture 2 – The Koru Fern
The unfurling koru, small, yet full of potential -symbolises new beginnings, strength in stillness, and the quiet power of growth. It reflects the journey of puāwai (to bloom), both in nature and within ourselves.

Picture 3 – Kōwhai Flower
Symbolizing hope and vitality, the bright yellow kōwhai enriches Aotearoa’s ecosystems. Its vibrant blooms feed tui birds and numerous native creatures, supporting biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life.

Picture 4 – Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-O-Tapu is a landscape of extremes - steaming vents, bubbling mud, bold colours, and shifting earth. One of the world’s most active volcanic zones, it’s a place to move slowly, breathe deeply, and witness nature’s raw creative process in real time.

Picture 6 – Fallow Deer Encounter
We paused to admire its antlers and the calm, curious presence it carried. The deer stepped closer, sensing us not as a threat but as part of the landscape. In that quiet moment, a gentle connection was made - a reminder of the peaceful coexistence possible between humans and animals.

Where will you explore today? I invite you to gently open your senses to the stories and symbols nature holds. Where will your journey take you today? What might you see, feel, or discover along the way?

16/08/2025

With care, aroha, and manaakitanga, we prepared nourishing food and nurtured a warm, restorative, and welcoming space for Tools for Transforming Trauma, an ACC SCS day retreat with .life.nz
Through Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Creative Arts Therapy, mindfulness-based psychoeducation, and Ecotherapy, participants were invited to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world, harvesting practical, sustainable tools to carry forward on their healing journeys.
It felt like a day of planting seeds, both metaphorically and physically, tending to them with care, and reflecting on the conditions each of us needs in order to puāwai, bloom, and flourish. We gathered the wisdom already within and shared it together as a group.A time of nourishment, courage, and connection.
I am moved by the strength, vulnerability, and presence that each person brought into this space.
May what was gathered today continue to grow, to flourish, and to ripple outward into homes, relationships, communities, and daily life in quiet, lasting ways.

13/08/2025

Feeling grateful, connected, and inspired to offer outdoor counselling sessions .
During my third outdoor meeting today, while walking around the lake, I paused, looked up, and really took it all in. The day began with a conversation with someone researching the therapeutic benefits of outdoor experiences—such a joy to connect with others passionate about nature-based work here in Aotearoa.

Later, my counselling client said: “I’m so glad there are people offering experiences like this.”
He’d spent time walking in silence, exploring and connecting with the natural world, while also having someone supportive to talk to.

I’m incredibly grateful for the work I do, and for the opportunity to practise in the beautiful Milford environment. Whether it’s walking by the beach or through the lakeside bush, this place offers rich opportunities for connection with the more-than-human world. Towering trees, singing tūī, gliding swans, the scent of fresh air and earth underfoot — all become part of the therapeutic process. These sensory encounters invite grounding, presence, and a deeper sense of belonging.

I currently have space to welcome 2 new weekly ir fortnightly clients.

🌿 Availability:
→ Wednesday – 2 appointments
→ Friday – 2 appointments

If this speaks to you or someone you know, feel free to reach out on 021 240 4178 or counselloramy@outlook.com.