About Ellen Altshuler

Qualifications

In early 2022, after five years study,  I gained Certification with The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy based in Ottawa, Canada (link to ICEEFT) . This wonderful, non-blaming  approach to relationship counselling helps couples to reduce conflict, and strengthen their bond of  love and security.

I gained my counselling qualification 25 years ago at HD&T Institute in Auckland. After studying Family Therapy at the Genesis Centre in Whangarei, I studied Group Facilitation at Northland Polytechnic (NorthTec). My subsequent professional development has involved study in a diverse range of therapeutic frameworks and methods including Gestalt therapy, Psychodrama, Psychosynthesis, Process Oriented Psychology and Narrative therapy. I have been a member of New Zealand Association of Counsellors since 1993.

My History

My past experience in counselling includes working as an ACC registered counsellor, a Family Court counsellor, facilitating sexual assault and domestic violence survivor groups and providing supervision and training to other counsellors in this field in both Auckland and Northland.

A passion for conflict resolution led me to a role at the Office of Race Relations, and then to the Human Rights Commission in Auckland as a mediator in the dispute resolution team between 2001-2005. I later returned to Northland for a role as Settlement Support Coordinator where (among other things) I coached new immigrants in the cultural transition to living and working in New Zealand, providing career advice and practical information. I assisted the establishment of several migrant community groups and worked with migrant communities on a range of issues including domestic violence awareness and Treaty of Waitangi education.

I am originally from USA, but I have lived in and around Tai Tokerau and Auckland for the last 30 years.