Brenda Hotene: Awhi Counselling & Marriage Celebrant

31/05/2024

Off season GIVE AWAY ❤️‍🩹🤵‍♂💍👰
With the rise in essential living costs and the pressures of day to day expenses there are many couples now considering small intimate weddings

I would love to offer 3 couples free celebrant services. This is an off season, limited offer with limited spaces available

T&Cs
Wedding to take place by 30th Sept 2024

Small/intimate weddings only considered e.g. 50 guests or under

Koha for travel expenses up.to 50km full travel cost reimbursement above that

What do you get:
Full consultant services (usually 3 face to.face or zoom meetings) 🤝

Personally written ceremony📝

Support throughout the process 🫂

You get legally married 😉

As an extra I always create a memory pack for couples that give you your ceremony and vows to treasure forever 🎁

For a limited time only lol but actually it is cos I'm super busy 🤣🤣
Pm if you want to korero

26/04/2024

There is something very special about supporting couples to their wedding day then getting to be there to officiate their marriage. I love this job!!

22/12/2023

💜 I wanted to take some time to thank you all, the whaanau I have had the privilege to walk alongside this year. I average seeing around 15-20 whaanau a week, it is a privileged mahi and so incredible to see many people grow into a healthier happier version of themselves 💖💪

2024 will see a limited capacity to take on new clients as I am undertaking some post Grad study 👩‍🎓

If you would like to connect please send either a text or email and I will respond with my availability

As a new marriage celebrant, watch this space for information and bookings 👰‍♂🤵‍♂💍

Meri kirihimete 🎅🎄

19/09/2023

Awhi Counselling is proud to now be a provider of counselling for Aoake te Rā. Aoake te Rā is a service that offers support for those impacted by su***de. If you or someone you know has been impacted in their lifetime by the loss associated with su***de (recent or historic) there is free support available. You can clink the link below and search for a provider or you can message me directly to korero about what this is and how you might access the service.
Kia kaha

https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/

19/09/2023

We are so fortunate to have many resources at our finger tips now. If you haven't already, check out Mental health awareness week online, there may be something there that resonates with you. this is about keeping wellness as well as working towards wellness. It is for EVERYONE

Free resources to guide you through Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

16/08/2023

A great reminder and tool of support

Big behaviour is a sign of a nervous system in distress. Before anything, that vulnerable nervous system needs to be brought back home to felt safety.

This will happen most powerfully with relationship and connection. Breathe and be with. Let them know you get it. This can happen with words or nonverbals. It’s about feeling what they feel, but staying regulated.

If they want space, give them space but stay in emotional proximity, ‘Ok I’m just going to stay over here. I’m right here if you need.’

If they’re using spicy words to make sure there is no confusion about how they feel about you right now, flag the behaviour, then make your intent clear, ‘I know how upset you are and I want to understand more about what’s happening for you. I’m not going to do this while you’re speaking to me like this. You can still be mad, but you need to be respectful. I’m here for you.’

Think of how you would respond if a friend was telling you about something that upset her. You wouldn’t tell her to calm down, or try to fix her (she’s not broken), or talk to her about her behaviour. You would just be there. You would ‘drop an anchor’ and steady those rough seas around her until she feels okay enough again. Along the way you would be doing things that let her know your intent to support her. You’d do this with you facial expressions, your voice, your body, your posture. You’d feel her feels, and she’d feel you ‘getting her’. It’s about letting her know that you understand what she’s feeling, even if you don’t understand why (or agree with why).

It’s the same for our children. As their important big people, they also need leadership. The time for this is after the storm has passed, when their brains and bodies feel safe and calm. Because of your relationship, connection and their felt sense of safety, you will have access to their ‘thinking brain’. This is the time for those meaningful conversations:
- ‘What happened?’
- ‘What did I do that helped/ didn’t help?’
- ‘What can you do differently next time?’
- ‘You’re a great kid and I know you didn’t want this to happen, but here we are. What can you do to put things right? Do you need my help with that?’♥️

18/05/2023

Curious question

What would or does prevent you from seeking support or guidance from a counsellor?

02/05/2023

OMGosh it's been the longest time since I've been on here!! I would never succeed at an online business with that kind of slack 🥹😉

Is it just me or did April feel like we were already 6 months into the year. What is everyone doing to revitalise themselves throughout the year, particularly with all the rain and disruption we have had with weather?

28/02/2023

What a start to 2023 it has been. My heart and prayers have been with so many over the last months of storms, cyclones, earthquakes.

It is still so important to be aware of how you are doing and reaching out for support when needed

Awhi counselling is open for the year and back running. There are very limited spaces at this stage. You can contact me here or by email If you have any questions

07/12/2022

Although many agencies/practices will close down over the Christmas break there are still plenty of options available for support.

1737 - Free text and phone counselling available 24/7
0800 50 50 50 - Mental Health Crisis Team
0800 543 354 - Lifeline
0800 543 754 - Kidsline (up to 18yrs)
0508 828 865 - Su***de Crisis Helpline
0800 733 843 - Womens Refuge
0800 376 633 - Youthline