Meet our Team

Helen Mounsey is our South Island Regional Director and one of our Christchurch therapists

As regional director, it is my job to direct you to the therapist who is most suitable for your needs. We have three therapists operating in the South Island region.  All reside in Christchurch but for those who live further afield we are available for Skype sessions.

I have a private practice in the suburb of Spreydon, Christchurch. Both the location and parking are easy to find, and appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I have particular training and interest in individuals and couples who come with emotional and sexual intimacy concerns, including the wish to repair from infidelity, compulsive sexual behaviours, surgery and trauma related matters. Sexual desire and arousal problems are also an important part of my work.

I also provide consultancy for a range of issues which impact on the sexual functioning of individuals and couples – e.g. depression, stress, parenting, anxiety, grief and loss and major life changes.  I worked for a number of years in high schools so have a strong interest in parenting and families.

I have been involved in sex therapy for over 15 years and completed the Advanced Sex Therapy training in 2006. I have worked with relationship issues in general for over 25 years.

I believe most people want to work out practical solutions which they can sustain in their often busy lives.  Confidentiality is always paramount. I am accountable to the Code of Ethics of NZAC. I use a range of approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Narrative therapy, Attachment theory, and both Imago the Developmental Model for couple work.

Mary Hodson is our Central and Lower North Island Regional Director and One of our Senior Consultants

As regional director and media spokesperson, it is my job to direct you to the therapist who is most suitable for your needs or best able to fulfil your media request. We have several excellent therapists operating in the central and lower North Island region including me. 3 of those are in Wellington, 1 in Hamilton and 2 in Tauranga and 1 in Napier and Gisborne.

I am one of the senior consultants and I have been working with people with all kinds sexuality concerns since 2005 when I completed advanced sex therapy training. I specialise in working with couples with emotional and sexual intimacy difficulties, individuals or couples where sexual intimacy is complicated by illness or disability, and couples where one or both partners have a sexual addiction (now known as 'Out of Control sexual Behaviour' or OCSB). 

I am a member of both the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and the World Association of Sexologists (Asia-Pacific region) and I am registered with the NZ Council for Educational Research.  

I have worked in health-related fields ever since I registered as an occupational therapist. My early work was with families that were struggling to cope with either alcohol abuse and its’ attendant problems or serious physical disability, I also taught community based counselling courses in the Far North community. Later, I taught clinical sciences and clinical practice at the school of Occupational Therapy in Wellington and the National Certificate in Human Services at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Debbie Penlington is one of our consultants in Tauranga

I have almost completed formal training in advanced sex therapy through the University of  Auckland. I particularly enjoy working with individuals or couples who are experiencing sexual, emotional or intimacy issues, supporting them to make their relationship and sex lives as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible.

Common issues include  lack of closeness and connection; desire differences; self acceptance and body image; difficulty talking about sexual needs and preferences; sexual pain; performance anxiety; confusion over sexual orientation; affairs; erectile dysfunction and pornography. I find the combination of my nursing and counselling experience also enables me to work  effectively with clients where health issues / illness is impacting on their ability to maintain a satisfying close, intimate or sexual relationship.

I believe that every couple's relationship is special and different from all other relationships. Over time, cycles or patterns can develop in a relationship which make it difficult for partners to hear each other, neither partner is right or wrong - both just see the same situation from different perspectives. With my support each partner can better understand what is happening for them in the relationship, how this may be influenced by their previous experiences and how they impact on their partner.

My approach is strongly influenced by the work of Dr Sue Johnson who developed Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) in the 1980's. EFT is one of the very few approaches to relationship issues that has had research on its effectiveness carried out. Compared to other approaches findings have been very positive showing that relationships of 80-90% of couples receiving EFT improved and 60% of these maintained their improvements or continued to improve. I work from rooms in the Tauranga CBD.

Dr Fran Brinn is one of our Christchurch consultants

CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE 

In 2000 I completed my initial Doctoral Training in Clinical Psychology at the University of Cardiff in South Wales, where I gained experience in the Department of Genito-Urinary medicine, which was my introduction to the role of therapy in helping people achieve satisfying sexual relationships.

Since relocating to New Zealand, I have continued to train in various therapeutic methods, including EMDR, Compassion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Analytic therapy.  My motivation as a therapist is in facilitating the development of secure and satisfying relationships with oneself, and within one's relationships, in all facets of behaviour, with sexual behaviour being an important facet of this development.  I see myself as being a grounded and practical person, who recognises and respects individual differences.

I work in Christchurch, offering appointments Monday through Thursday.

Jessica Mills is one of our Christchurch consultants

CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

I am a Christchurch based clinical psychologist working across both private and public settings. My interest in sex therapy developed after working with people experiencing chronic pain that impacted their sexual function and intimacy. Before commencing with Sex Therapy New Zealand, I completed sex therapy training accredited by the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counsellors and Therapists (AASECT).

I take a collaborative and whole person approach to my work with clients, taking into account all the different aspects that may be contributing to my clients’ presenting concerns. Sessions are judgement free and highly confidential so that you can feel safe to explore your concerns. 

Jillian Butterworth is one of our Auckland therapists

I am a Clinical Psychologist working in Henderson, West Auckland. I have over 13 years of clinical experience. I decided to train in sex therapy in Aotearoa as my work as a psychotherapist has highlighted the importance of healthy sexuality and sexual relationships. I want to work with people who want to improve their sexual wellbeing as part of their own growth, and those who wish to heal from painful traumatic experiences. I am trained psychodynamically but think and use other psychological paradigms including CBT, feminist therapies, family systems, and others.

I have worked with people who have experienced sexual traumas, out of control sexual behaviour, hypersexuality, or have experienced difficulties with being a part of the LGBTI community, and other clinical disorders. I have also provided sex education in primary and high schools.

I have presented two papers at an international conference in 2015 and I recently co-authored an article for the Journal of Sexual Medicine titled: ICD-11 Paraphilic Disorders: A South African Analysis of It’s Utility in the Medico-Legal Context.

Karen Macpherson is one of our senior consultants in Wellington

I work with emotional and sexual intimacy issues and use attachment, C.B.T and art therapy modalities, where appropriate. I acknowledge and respect the uniqueness of each person. I am attentive to individual needs and mindful of culture. My passion is to see people living the life they want, being all that they want to be. I work from rooms in Whitby and offer some weekend appointments.

I completed Advanced Sex Therapy training through the University of Auckland in 2012 but I have 15 years’ experience as a qualified counsellor and my early clinical work with children and families in a Family Counselling Practice means that my practice is underpinned by the knowledge that an individual is a part of a system. 

Katie Hayden is one of our Auckland Therapists

I am a Counselling Psychologist working in Ellerslie (Auckland) and online with eight years of clinical experience. I am currently in training with Sex Therapy New Zealand and have worked previously with clients who experience chronic pain, sexual pain and other sexual difficulties. Additionally, I have worked in the area of gender-affirming healthcare. These jobs led me to train through STNZ to broaden my scope of practice. I am trained in the bio-psychosocial model and also use ACT and attachment-based approaches in therapy. 

I am particularly interested in working with people whose sex education has left them ‘in the dark’ about their own bodies and desires, including those with religious backgrounds. 

I am passionate about working with clients to make sense of what they think, feel and want in terms of sex and intimacy, and I support them in communicating this to their important other(s). I provide a confidential and non-judgemental environment to ensure my clients feel safe exploring what is important to them.

Melisa Cane is one of our Auckland Therapists

I am a Registered Counsellor working in Central Auckland and over Zoom. I decided that I wanted to specialize in Relationship and Sex Therapy at the early stages of my career and decided to train with Sex Therapy New Zealand and join the team. I qualified as a therapist in New Zealand and based my final research project on the History of Sexuality Education In Aotearoa. I am a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. 

My background is diverse, and I like to draw from different schools of thought, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Person-centred Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Attachment Theory. My approach to sexuality and well-being is holistic, non-judgemental and uniquely tailored to all my clients and their needs. I am passionate about empowering my clients to live fulfilling, truthful, healthy and fun sex lives. 

I provide individual and relationship therapy for various sexual and emotional issues. I love working with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, sexualities and walks of life, including members from the Rainbow, Kink and ENM communities. I like to form an alliance with my clients to help them achieve their goals and dreams and better understand their feelings, thought patterns, life experiences and environments and how those elements might influence their sexual lives and relationships. 

Sid Naidu is one of our Palmerston North consultants

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist trained in New Zealand and I completed Advanced Sex Therapy training with Robyn Salisbury. I have been providing a sex therapy service to Palmerston North, for the last 8 years. Robyn has made a strong endorsement of me and my work -:

Sid is my much valued colleague; a skilled and passionate clinical psychologist and sex therapist. He combines deep caring with a great sense of humour, he's very easy to be yourself with and has a breadth and depth of knowledge about human sexuality and 'beingness' that is up with the best of our team.

Apart from sexual, emotional and relationship concerns faced by heterosexual individuals and couples, I also specialise in issues faced by gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender sexual orientation. 

Clients can expect to receive a culturally-attuned service, and to be treated non-judgmentally, and with professionalism, respect, empathy, and positive regard.

My previous work experience in Alcohol & Drug Services, Pain and Rehabilitation Services and Elder Health continues to influence my practice in sex therapy.

Vicki Murray is one of our Palmerston North consultants  

I am a sex therapist and relationship counsellor, working in private practice in Gisborne, Napier and Palmerston North. I work in a respectful and non-judgmental way, and have a friendly, down-to-earth approach.  I provide a safe and supportive space to discuss sexual problems and I combine my professional counselling skills with an understanding of current international research to provide appropriate information and fresh ideas as we work together to find a way forward.

My aim is always to help people have positive and fulfilling sexual experiences, which in turn enhances physical and emotional well-being. There is research that demonstrates that a healthy sex life makes for a stronger, more enduring and more enjoyable relationship.

Whilst I mainly work with couples and individuals, I can, where required and appropriate, work with whanau, within a kaupapa Maori framework.

Tanya Furstenburg is our Rotorua Therapist

I work with individuals and couples, but I always have a relational focus as I have a passion for the role relationships play in our overall well-being (My training and background is in Attachment Theory and Interpersonal Therapy).  This work has made me particularly aware of the impact intimacy and sex have on how we feel and function and how difficult it can be when things don’t go so well. A need for more knowledge and understanding in this area brought me to where I am now, in training with Sex Therapy New Zealand.  

I have worked with people struggling with a variety of sexual and relationship difficulties. My approach is collaborative, and I rely heavily on your feedback about which parts of my approach you find most helpful.

I have 25 years of experience in working with a wide range of people, including those struggling with symptoms of serious mental illness, the effects of trauma, anxiety and depression and other everyday problems with change, grief, or relationship difficulties.