group

Small group therapy will be at the heart of your recovery journey. In a safe and confidential space, two of our therapists and eight of your peers will help you to understand your experiences, recognise your feelings and manage the challenges you face. Group therapy has a number of proven benefits.

● Allows you to receive and offer support and feedback

● Improves your ability to relate to and communicate with others

● Lets you practise new behaviours

● Gives you an understanding of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours by looking at your relationship patterns both inside and outside the group

● Allows you to understand the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of others

● Improves your self-confidence and self-esteem

● Can start you on a process of personal change inside the group which you continue in your daily life.

Individual

You may have experiences that are very private, and that you’d feel more comfortable sharing with just one trusted person to begin with. You can do this in individual therapy sessions. Your therapist will help you to make the most of group therapy. There will also be opportunities to discuss your progress and change your programme schedule to meet your needs and interests.

art

Art therapy can be very helpful for managing intense emotions and increasing your self-awareness. It is a great way to non-verbally express inner thoughts and feelings. You do not need to feel creative to enjoy and get real benefit from time in our art studio. In this beautiful space you can work with: paints, pastels, clay, textiles, mosaic and other materials. This is all done under the guidance of our experienced arts therapists who will help ensure that you enjoy, and get the most out of, what may be an unfamiliar experience.

rongoa

Rongoā Māori uses ancestral Māori knowledge to help restore balance to your holistic well-being. Assisting you in connecting to your whakapapa, wairua and whenua. Some of these practices include: rongoā rākau (native medicinal plants), mirimiri and romiromi (massage and bodywork), karakia (prayer) and kōrero (consultation/guidance). Our expert rongoā practitioner will guide and support you in a culturally sensitive and personal way that feels right for your journey.

medical

We have a GP, psychiatrist, and mental health nurse ready to provide medical care. They will listen to your health concerns, explore treatment options and support you to make decisions that meet your needs.

music

Music can be a very powerful form of therapy - it can allow you to express yourself without needing to talk, and there is no need to be ‘musical’ by nature. Our music therapists will work with you in our music studio in playful and meaningful ways, using a variety of instruments, percussion, song and lyrics.

mind

Mind-body therapies provide opportunities for you to practise reconnecting to your body in a gradual and comfortable way, alongside a compassionate facilitator. Through exploration of movement and mindfulness practices, you can learn useful tools that will help you feel safe and balanced in your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. These practices can help you to build a caring, loving relationship with yourself. Our mind-body work includes ancient practices such as mindfulness and meditation and is strongly informed by modern neuroscience and trauma recovery evidence.

social

We understand that day-to-day challenges may get in the way of your recovery. Our social workers can help you overcome these challenges by working to provide you with support and assistance with personal crises, whānau issues or any legal or social barriers that you may have. By connecting you with essential resources within the community - and advocating for your best interests - social workers make sure that your hopes are supported, your ideas are heard, and your individual needs are understood and met.

peer

Peer support is a relationship built around giving and receiving - manaakitanga. It is a very natural part of our programme where individuals support each other, and receive support in return. These opportunities for connection occur daily in various small and large ways. They can happen in group therapy, at meal times, and during casual conversation at break times. We also offer formal peer support opportunities for people who have finished the programme to come back and volunteer, reciprocating the support they received. The lived experience of our peer support volunteers is a valuable part of our programme.

occupation

Occupational therapy can help your independence and well-being. Our occupational therapist will work with you to overcome any physical, psychological or emotional barriers you may be experiencing. They will help you in ways that stimulate your mind and assist you to put in place healthy practices to navigate the challenges of everyday life.

nature

Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) offers a beautiful natural environment, and we want to help you explore it for the benefit of your mind, body, and spirit. The sea, beaches, forests and our community garden are some of the places you can explore during the programme. Immersed in nature, you will be able to relax, practice mindfulness, reflect on therapy and connect to yourself and the whenua around you.

relax

Time and space to rest and relax on your own is important. It allows you to process and reflect whilst on your journey with us. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to do this during your time in the programme, both in our Centre’s dedicated spaces and outdoors in nature.

community

The ‘therapeutic community’ is the whole group who will be supporting you during your time in our programme. It includes your peers, our staff and volunteers. Manaakitanga - the giving and receiving of support amongst members - can be a powerful healing agent. Our therapeutic community provides many interactions and everyday living experiences that allow you to learn about yourself and strengthen the skills that bring you closer to the life you want. This model has been an established and proven recovery method for many decades worldwide.

exercise

Good mental health and physical health are strongly connected and even small amounts of movement can make a positive difference. But, we really understand how hard it can be to exercise when your mental health challenges are holding you back. We will start slowly and make exercise fun and achievable. By choosing activities that interest you, you can build your capability over time. We offer various exercise options including walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, gym, dance classes, and gentle forms of yoga and movement.

spa

At Whakamātūtū you can receive a professional mirimiri or massage treatment or spend time in our sauna and relaxation room. These treatments not only promote relaxation, they also provide many therapeutic benefits such as easing physical pain, increasing endorphins, and improving cardiovascular health.