Counselling

I am excited to be Head of School at Vision College School of Counselling. I have always been passionate and active in promoting talking treatments and psychotherapeutic approaches in the various roles I have had since graduating from Vision’s first cohort in 1999! Now I enjoy the opportunity to focus specifically in this area, and bring my experience working in NGO community mental health settings, clinically and managerially, as well as my experience providing Counselling and Clinical and Professional Supervision in various contexts. I am interested in improving access to Counselling for those who most need this support, and I have experience trialling pilot programmes for community based treatments for depression (Luty, S. and Scalia, S. 2018) and deliberate self-harm/emotional dys-regulation.

From study at Vision I went on to complete post graduate qualifications in Clinical Supervision (psychoanalytic) with AUT,  in Mental Health with Otago University, and I am an accredited therapist in Interpersonal psychotherapy. I offer Clinical and Professional Supervision and Counselling in private practice (sebscalia.com) alongside my tutoring and leadership roles here at Vision. I am a Registered Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and the IsIPT. I tutor ‘Personal and Professional Integration’ and ‘Mental Health and Disorders’ papers in the third year of our Degree programme.

What I most enjoy about my role here with Vision College is the mutual processes of development and celebration experienced within a very supportive and dynamic community of learning! Outside of the work I love being a father, friend and thinker, among other things, and would describe myself as fun loving, intuitive and optimistic.

Paula is a Registered Psychotherapist, and has been working in psychotherapy, psychology and counselling since 1990, in the UK and in Christchurch over the last 11 years with children, adolescents and their families. She has experience of individual, couple, family and group work, and has worked in the UK National Health Service, Canterbury District Health Board, with NGO’s as well as in private practice. Paula has been working throughout Canterbury schools in the last few years, offering training and workshops for our young people, parents and school staff focusing on resilience, anxiety and well-being. Her approach, grounded in the therapeutic relationship, integrates other approaches including Transactional Analysis, Psychodynamic and creative therapies. She has a particular interest in attachment and current approaches based in neuroscience.

Paula enjoys combining her work with being mum to two children, a variety of sporting activities, gardening and socializing. She also enjoys reading, and buying a few too many books online!

B.H. (Hons) Psych, Msc. Psych & Couns (Dist), CTA Psychotherapy, PTSTA.

Member NZAP, NZAC, ITAA.

I have always been fascinated by how things work, so perhaps my first career was inevitable, and I spent 25 years as an academic at the University of Canterbury teaching Chemistry. Some tough family events, friendship  with a group of Christian GPs, and my own tendency to be drawn to others who struggle, led me to change direction, train in psychotherapy and work for 20 years at the Arahura Centre in Christchurch. I have always loved to teach; when my wife died and I was offered the opportunity to join the Counselling programme at Vision College, I was glad do so. I delight in seeing students change and grow to become effective counsellors.  I haven’t let go of my Chemistry – I am still a member of the NZ professional body, I am secretary to the Trust which manages Arahura, and I am a retired member of the NZ Association of Psychotherapists. I have been blessed to have so many supportive colleagues over the years. When my ageing system allows me I enjoy landscape and macro photography.

Cobus holds a Masters degree in Theology, honours in Psychology and post graduate training in counselling. He worked in the South African Air Force as Chaplain where he had a vast experience as counsellor.  During this time he had great opportunity to be creative and supportive, while also developing perseverance and resilience through difficult circumstances.  Cobus’ passion as a tutor lies in helping people to develop and grow.  When time allows he loves to cook and travel.

G’day and kia ora.

Simply, I want to see people become all that they can be, including having awesome relationships and living a fulfilling life.
I know that sometimes it is hard to look at who we have been, the things that have been done to us by others, and the possible ways that we might be able to grow into the future.

I work part-time at Vision College School of Counselling, with a focus on counsellor formation, sociology and biculturalism. I also work at The Arahura Centre with clients in a ‘eclectic Person-centred’ way. Some areas of therapeutic interest for me include; people, relationships, masculinity, addiction, purpose, sex, anxiety, pornography, anger, depression, creativity, children, spirituality and spiritual abuse.

I am married to Ruth and together we have two awesome school aged sons. Things that turn my head include: Triumph Motorcycles, well planted veggie gardens, vintage fighter air craft, community development initiatives, pizza ovens, books with swords on the covers, music played with passion, angry guitar sounds, steam trains, forests, historic epics and people doing really well at being themselves.

Veronica holds a Bachelor of Counselling and is currently working towards a Masters of Education. She is enthusiastic and committed to helping students achieve their goals. Veronica enjoys the camaraderie and commitment of the counselling team, and considers it a privilege in being able to support the growth and development of students. While the working week is full with teaching, university studies and a private practice, her downtime is usually in the form of relaxing with family or catching up with friends. When possible she heads off to soak up the sights and sounds of New Zealand’s glorious native forests.