Moira Shorten
MNZAC
MA (Hons), PG. Cert. Education,
Cert. Counselling
P.G. Dip. Ed. - Guidance,
P.G. Dip. Child Mental Health.
Cert. Supervision


My enthusiasm for counselling has developed from my teaching experience and work in community agencies with women, children and their families. Counselling can assist people to overcome difficult childhood experiences or life events, by building on their strengths and learning new skills and ways of thinking or relating.  I have been a counsellor for sixteen years and have a special interest in working with young people, children and their families.

I believe that a strong working alliance or relationship is the foundation for effective counselling. I aim to build a respectful, non-judging and empathic relationship with my clients so that they feel accepted and safe to explore their concerns.

The models I draw from are integrated into the counselling process to reflect the needs and issues the client brings.

I enjoy working cross culturally and believe it is important to understand and include cultural beliefs in the counselling process.
Having emigrated from Scotland many years ago, I have an understanding of the effects on families and relationships. Counselling can assist at a time of transition.
I am married with three adult children and a grandchild.

Gestalt processes offer the opportunity to build awareness of information from the senses and feelings so that clients learn to trust their intuition. Dream work can also be useful in making links to feelings or providing personal metaphors.

Understanding different parts of our personality and how they might affect relationships at home or work is found in Transactional Analysis. Unhelpful thoughts and behaviours can be changed, assertiveness learned and relationship patterns altered.

Narrative ideas investigate the stories we tell about ourselves and identify unnoticed aspects and strengths that can be used to create a new, preferred story. This approach is often enjoyed by young people.

Interactive Drawing Therapy is useful to many clients but particularly those who struggle with words. No drawing ability is needed to allow expression of issues and feelings and the discovery of hidden abilities and new possibilities.

A psychodynamic approach integrates the above and works at a deeper level to increase self understanding. The aim is to change or repair early experiences or traumas which have influenced self image, beliefs and behaviours.