The 5 Best Counselling Services in New Zealand for When You Need to Get Rid of That Grey Fog
Jessica McNamara
| Last Updated: February 2026 There’s no denying that times can get tough for all of us. Life, as we know, always has ups and downs. Sometimes the downs might really make us feel like we can’t get up.
I’ve been there, you’ve been there, and you know what always helps? Talking about it. If you have a friend or a loved one you trust, it can help to get things off your chest.
Sadly, our friends and loved ones might not always understand or not have the spoons to talk. That’s when counselling services come in clutch.
I’ve had a rough go of it recently, and I was lucky to have loved ones to help me look into some counselling services in New Zealand. Now that some of my grey fog has lifted, we’re happy to share a few of our favourites so you can try and see them, too.
How much does it cost to get counselling services in New Zealand?
Seeing a counsellor in New Zealand can cost anywhere from $140 to $195 per session, depending on how long the session lasts and the approach the counsellor chooses to take.
1. Conscious Counselling
Address: 80 College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1011
Contact Details: +64 21 720 889, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
When it comes to counselling services, it’s hard not to bring up Conscious Counselling. Wander around Auckland, asking locals for trusted counsellors as we did, and you’ll hear the name pretty often.
It’s not hard to see why. The practice is a private one, but it certainly doesn’t limit its offerings. Conscious Counselling offers counselling for various areas of concern, like trauma, stress, and even chronic pain.
The first factor we noticed was their availability for online sessions, which can be a lifesaver if you’re the type to feel safer talking to someone in your own home. It’ll also save on the hassle of driving.
We got to chat with a few regulars who were more than happy to praise the actual space for their counselling sessions. The space was well-maintained and had a comfortable atmosphere.
We also heard praise for their easy, well-defined schedule, but some regulars told us it was not easy to reschedule. We’d recommend keeping a clear schedule if you know you have a session incoming.
We also noticed the high costs per one-hour session, at least compared to other counselling services. We’d recommend trying one session to get a read on whether their counselling is a good fit for you before committing.
Creates a comfortable, safe space
“Over the past few months Guy has been absolutely exceptional in his approach to helping me with a number of issues. He is a great listener, and creates a comfortable, safe space to explore ideas and work through problems.”
– Mr. Jamie Chase, Google Review
Compassionate, open and embodies spirituality
“Guy is a standout therapist. He walked alongside me shedding light on the parts of myself which were holding burdens, using internal family systems therapy. As a person Guy is compassionate, open and embodies spirituality while remaining down to earth.”
– Ms. Sue Mitchell, Google Review
2. Pakuranga Counselling
Address: 207 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga, Auckland 2010
Contact Details: +64 9 576 4248, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Closed on Sunday
As we know, hardships can come at any age. Counselling services for seniors and children aren’t always well known, but in East Auckland, we heard good things about Pakuranga Counselling from locals.
When we dropped by, we were surprised at the sheer list of counsellors available at the centre. Their staff was wide and diverse, and we got to hear from some about their specialities and what age ranges they normally consulted with.
And talk about variety! There were counsellors for senior citizens, and we were pleased to find some who specialised in counselling children. It’s not always easy to find one for your child, even when their early age means they could benefit from such support.
While chatting with regulars and staff, we learned about their flexible scheduling. Clients were allowed to book their appointments at any time within their operating hours at their own convenience, so you don’t need to rearrange your schedule quite as much.
That said, some clients didn’t have the chance to schedule specific counsellors, especially given their availability. If a client already has a preferred counsellor, it could be difficult to reach out to them to book more sessions.
Lastly, a few clients let us know that while the usual one-hour session can be extended, the fees do doing so may be higher than the initial booking price.
Amazing and very helpful team
“Amazing and very helpful team. I see Stephen Yao and he has been a tremendous help. Highly recommend!”
– Mr. James, Google Review
The most strengthening thing I’ve ever done
“I’ve been consistently attending counselling here with Stephen Yao for the past 3 and a half months, and it has been the most strengthening thing I’ve ever done! He is a great therapist, who has helped me not only process my inner struggles, character flaws, etc.”
– Mr. John Payne, Google Review
3. goodTherapy Counselling
Address: 511 South Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604
Contact Details: +64 22 044 1847, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Thursday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
A little-known factoid among some folks is that you can actually be eligible for funded counselling at certain centres in New Zealand. And one of the first counselling centres to pop up with this benefit was goodTherapy.
The first thing that struck us when we got there was how easy the location was to find. It was a smaller practice, but it had plenty of parking both onsite and in the surrounding areas. Helpful if you’re staying for a while!
There, we got to hear about some of the therapeutic approaches taken by the counsellor for clients. These included everything from narrative therapy to polyvagal theory, all centred on helping work through stressors like anxiety, grief and more.
We appreciated this proactive communication, and their clients sure seemed to as well. Quite a few were happy to let us know the centre’s willing to send follow-up messages and check-ins, which can really help soothe some folks during rough times.
This also came in handy because the sessions could be quite limited in time. It can be a little distressing to know that you’re constrained by a time limit, after all.
What we observed was that these sessions could be quite expensive, making it a little daunting to book one. In these cases, we’d definitely recommend looking into whether you’re eligible for a funded session to see if the centre fits you.
Helped me get through some deep-rooted grief
“Hilary is a very warm, welcoming, supportive, caring and understanding Counsellor. Hilary helped me get through some deep rooted grief that I had been trying to overcome for years and for that I am very grateful.”
– Ms. Lorrin Wallace, Google Review
I can’t speak highly enough of Hilary’s approach
“I have spent many years in and out of therapy without much success however all that began to change after the day I rolled into Hilary’s office. I can’t speak highly enough of Hilary’s approach and non clinical technique around therapy.”
– Mr. Andrew Pascoe, Google Review
4. Bridge the Gap Counselling and Coaching
Address: 677a Swanson Road, Swanson, Auckland 0612
Contact Details: +64 21 595 759, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Closed on Sunday
If there’s any place you’ll definitely need counselling at, it’s at work. Our group knows this, and the locals around West Auckland too! That’s how Bridge the Gap Counselling landed on our radar, having risen to prominence for their professional counselling.
Their range of services surprised us on our first visit. The centre provided individual and couples counselling services. They even had services tailored to those in the workplace and in the caring industry, such as fellow counsellors!
What really caught our eye was the creative therapies employed at the centre. These therapies, usually consisting of clients being encouraged to draw or colour, were quite a unique approach to us.
Another factor that got locals talking about Bridge the Gap was their couples’ counselling. We got to talk to a few couples who’d taken their services and heard pretty good things about their approaches to fixing these relationships.
That being said, we do have to note that there are only so many counsellors at the centre. This can lead to issues, like a long wait time for schedules or your preferred counsellor being unavailable.
What makes this a bit trickier is the unclear scheduling at the centre, as some clients told us. We’d definitely recommend asking your counsellor for clarity on these schedules if you do book their counselling services.
Found solutions we didn’t know were possible
“I had couples counselling with Aaron – I found his capacity to listen, empathise and share insight into each other’s perspectives incredibly valuable. We unpacked our troubles and found solutions we didn’t know were possible.”
– Ms. Natasha Manuson, Google Review
I felt a real change
“I had an awesome experience with Bridge the Gap Counselling and Coaching. My friend recommended them, and I went in to sort out issues like perfectionism and decision-making overload. After just three sessions, I felt a real change.”
– Mr. Roman Belovolov, Google Review
5. Wingspan Central Auckland
Address: l2/60-64 Upper Queen Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1024
Contact Details:+64 9 630 8961, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Closed on Sunday
One undeniable hurdle for folks trying to get counselling services is the price. Sometimes, a good counsellor is just too expensive. That’s why we’re happy to have found Wingspan Central Auckland.
Wingspan rose to prominence because of its affordable pricing, and we were happy to see that this was still the case. Their prices per session were lower than those of other counselling centres, so no need to let your wallet stop you from getting help.
When we dropped by, we were pleased by what we found. The team of counsellors was larger than we expected, which could be intimidating if you don’t know who to trust. However, the staff was more than happy to recommend specific counsellors.
Their counselling services were also just as varied, ranging from individual to family counselling, both onsite and online. That said, we noted that they largely offered short to medium-term counselling, with long-term services available on request.
That said, Wingspan’s affordable pricing and flexibility did mean they regularly got an influx of clients. This sometimes leads to a long waitlist just to get scheduled and booked in with a counsellor.
A few regulars also let us know that opting out or switching counsellors could be a long and difficult process at the centre. We’d recommend clarifying the process for this, just in case you find that your current counsellor isn’t a good fit.
Already I can feel a positive shift
“John just knocks them out of the water, it’s only been a few sessions, but already I can feel a positive shift, I feel like I actually look forward to what the future brings now. Can’t wait to learn more tools to be a better human.”
– Mr. Galloping Gandhi, Google Review
Not enough words to describe how she helped me
“She was the best counsellor I have ever worked with. She is genuine, kind-hearted, sincere, compassionate, empathetic, skillful, etc. There’s not enough words to describe how she helped me and my family.”
– Ms. Roannti, Google Review
