Sandra Roersma

B. Soc Science / Counselling
Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors
EMDR
Professional Supervision

Counsellor Sandra Roersma After graduating in 2012, I have completed training in "Domestic violence", "Trauma & Abuse" and "Alcohol, drugs & addiction", PTSD and earlier in 2017 I started with training for EMDR therapy. In 2019 I obtained my post grad certificate in professional supervision.

Since November 2014, I have undertaken ACC Sensitive Claims work. I work with adults who are presenting with (childhood) sexual abuse trauma.
In this role clients present with PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction (substances, eating, gambling, sex/pornorgraphy), relationship issues, work issues, isolation, social anxiety, avoidance lack of any form of self esteem/confidence, issues with intimacy, boundaries, financial hardship and parenting issues.

I am contracted to Vitae (since mid 2016) and Telus Health (September 2018) for EAP counselling and also provide counselling for Victim Support.

I can provide supervision for counsellors who work under the ACC ISSC contract, and for counsellors involved with EAP counselling. I wish to discuss other supervision requirements on a case by case basis.

I do not work with children and adolescents.

Before I started doing ACC work, I was contracted for a year to Family Works Northern. I worked with families with a wide range of issues including blended families, separation, behavioural issues and anxiety.

In the same year I was also contracted to Te Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust as an alcohol and drugs practitioner. In this role I worked with people who had issues with alcohol and other drugs, including depression, violence, addiction, relationship problems, job loss, financial struggles and the physical consequences of use.

I consider myself an eclectic practitioner. Some examples: I will use CBT skills to challenge my clients about their thought processes. "A problem is a problem because of the way we think about it". Therefore changes in thought processes might help people to work through their issues and make changes. In my practice I have come across numerous clients with behaviours or attitudes they don’t quite understand. Life events in the past may have allowed certain behaviours or attitudes to develop, yet they are no longer useful in the current situation. I can support my clients to have an understanding and make changes in their lives. I also use the Narrative skill of "mapping", which can be used to make things visible for clients. Sometimes seeing things written down can be a powerful catalyser for change.

A personal note:

I was born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. After finishing high school I have worked in a range of different areas such as tourism, admin, hospitality and retail. I moved to New Zealand in March 2001 and I lived in Taupo for 9 months before moving to Rotorua. I worked in tourism, marketing and was self employed in the security industry, before obtaining my degree in counselling in 2012.

I have always had a fascination with human behaviour and I really enjoy supporting people to understand current behaviour in relation to past events. My life experiences over the years are very helpful in the sense that I can relate to many issues life brings. Issues include, but are not limited to, domestic violence, alcohol, separation & divorce, blended families, immigration, employment disputes, grief and loss, anxiety, gambling and financial hardship.

I live with my partner on a lifestyle block together with our two dogs and a range of other animals including chickens, cows, a cat and budgies. I enjoy reading, walking, cycling, camping and cooking for and spending time with friends.

Cost:
$100 per session
ACC / EAP Victim Support funding might be available
Supervision $120 per session

Contact:

Email address
sandra@counsellingbop.co.nz

Phone/txt:
027 22 84 506