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About Penny-Laine
Mommy to two gorgeous kids, registered counsellor and founder of Ark Essentials.
I graduated from Garsfontein High School in 2007 after which I decided to join 13thFLOOR performing arts ministry. I wanted to take a year before deciding who and what I wanted to be. It did not take long for me to become frustrated with the tension between my desire to help the people who trusted me with their stories and my skills and knowledge (or rather lack thereof).
I thus decided to study psychology and so my story began...
I currently hold a Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Educational Psychology (2015) from the University of Pretoria and have completed various trainings since then as continued learning and development. I have a passion for working with people... but since immigrating to New Zealand in 2018 and starting this journey as an immigrant, my passion has grown for immigrants in particular, especially immigrant mums like me. We really face a set of unique challenges and I believe with extra support we can thrive and truly find a new level of joy on this adventure in our new homes.
I discovered my passion to help people in an impactful way in 2018. I decided to study to become a counsellor so that I would know how to support the people who trust me with their stories with therapeutic approaches that work. As I grew older I became more and more aware of the unique way that God created me and this passion in my heart made more and more sense. I registered as a counsellor in South Africa in 2015 and in New Zealand in 2018.
My Approach and Special Interests
I work in a friendly and down-to-earth manner, supporting my clients to feel as comfortable as possible discussing their challenges with me. My aim is to support you to reach your goals and to feel empowered by the counselling process. I work from a Christian perspective while drawing on various therapeutic approaches including ACT, CBT, person-centered, play therapy, temperament based and DBT.
I have specific interest in the following areas:
Parenting
Anxiety
Depression
Life Coaching
Stress and overwhelm
Immigration
and Faith
Background and Experience
I have been working as a counsellor since 2015. Originally studying, training and registering in South Africa after which I immigrated to New Zealand in 2018.
I worked for the Community Alcohol and Drug services youth team for about 5 years – specifically focusing on youth who face challenges with alcohol and other drugs as well as mental health challenges. As part of the team I also supported parents of the youth we were working with through individual sessions as well as support groups.
I am also trained as an Evergreen Parenting consultant, facilitating Christian parenting courses periodically - feel free to contact me for more information on these or sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop.
Why Ark Essentials
The name was chosen in honor of my dad, Clifford Adamson. He founded Ark Solutions in South Africa about 10 years ago with the dream that it would be a company that can support and empower people. My dream is that Ark Essentials will continue this legacy. That we will become a space where people will come to find support and to be empowered. A space for community and learning. A space where people may arrive as strangers but soon become friends.
