Connecting to people is what counts – a warm, genuine real person is what Bren offers first and foremost. Bren brings over 23 yrs of combined experience and training to the counselling room. From Eastern practices and understanding of psychology to contemporary Western approaches of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Bren has been working as a practitioner now for over a decade in Hawkes Bay. Working with individuals, couples and families addressing a wide range of issues. Relational problems, grief, distress, depression and all forms of violence and violation. Helping parents to negotiate parenting plans and making care arrangements. Providing workplace employee assistance for workplace issues and Professional Supervision. The technical approach Bren uses is influenced by a collection of ideas that are called Response-Based Practice (Allan Wade & Cathy Richardson & many others!) but also Adult Attachment Theory (Susan Johnson – Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy) and Narrative Therapy (Michael White). Bren believes that he is always learning – learning how to listen and respond. Recognising small yet significant things, often overlooked, but represent resistance and non acceptance of rejection, abuse or violence. These are meaningful attempts to uphold self-respect and dignity.