Counselling for teenagers in Wellington
For young people who need someone to talk to, and parents who aren't sure what's going on. In person on Taranaki Street on Fridays, or online anywhere in New Zealand.
Young people aged 13–18
Usually a parent gets in touch first. Something has changed. Your teenager has gone quiet, or angry, or stopped wanting to go to school. Or they seem fine and you have a feeling they aren't. I also see teenagers for anxiety and low mood.
Sometimes rangatahi ask for help themselves, and that's a good sign. Either way, you don't need to know what's wrong before you call. Working that out is part of what we do.
About me
I'm George Johnston, a counsellor in Wellington. I'm finishing a Master of Counselling at Massey University and hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance (2024). Most of my working life has been spent with adolescents and young people.
Before I trained as a counsellor, I spent eight years in mental health education with Coliberate and Pause Breathe Smile. I worked in close to 150 schools around the country and trained 960 adults in mental health first response. I also co-facilitated Ngā Whetū Mārama, a mental health programme developed by Coliberate together with the Ōpōtiki community.
That work taught me how differently young people talk about what's hard, depending on who's asking and whether they think it's safe to answer.
How I work
Mostly we talk. There's no set programme and no worksheets. Teenagers often know more than they can say at first, so a lot of the work is giving them enough time and attention to find the words.
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Analytically informed
I pay attention to patterns: what keeps happening, what gets avoided, how older experiences show up in new situations. Nobody lies on a couch.
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Culture is part of the work
A young person's family and whānau, culture, faith and community shape what's going on for them. I want to understand that properly.
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Their answers
I'm not there to tell your teenager who to be. The aim is for them to understand themselves better and make their own choices with that.
How parents are involved
You're welcome to ask me questions at any point. What I can share is what your teenager is happy for me to share. I'm bound by the NZAC Code of Ethics on confidentiality, and that privacy is a big part of why counselling works for young people.
The exception is if I'm worried about their safety or someone else's. Then I'll talk with them first wherever I can, and then with you.
Counselling for adults
I also see some adults for individual counselling: anxiety, low mood, identity questions, or a big change you're trying to make sense of. The same free first call applies.
I don't offer couples counselling. If that's what you're after, I'm happy to suggest where to look.
Times, place and fees
- When
- Fridays
- Where
- In person on Taranaki Street, Wellington, or online by video anywhere in NZ
- Sessions
- 50 minutes
- Fee
- $150 per session
- ACC
- Not accepted
- Insurance
- Receipts provided. Check with your insurer whether counselling is covered.
- First step
- Free 15-minute call
Questions parents ask
You probably can't be sure, and that's fine. If something has changed and it's lasted a few weeks, or you're worried and can't tell why, a free call is a low-stakes way to talk it through.
That's common. I'd rather they came for one session to see what it's like than be told they have to commit. Some young people warm up once they find out nobody is going to lecture them.
Ask me whatever you like. I'll share what your teenager is happy for me to share, and the details of what they say stay with me. If there's a safety concern, I'll tell you.
Yes, by secure video anywhere in New Zealand. Your teenager needs a private room, headphones and a reliable connection.
$150 per session. I don't take ACC claims. I can provide receipts, but check with your insurer whether counselling is covered.
Yes. Gumboot Friday funds free counselling for young people under 25, with no referral needed. Your GP can also point you to local options. Families come to me privately when they want to choose who their teenager sees, or keep counselling separate from school.
It varies. Some young people come for six to twelve sessions around something specific, and others stay longer. We'll check in regularly about whether it's still useful.
No. Families can book the free call directly. GPs and counsellors can also refer by emailing me at georgedotjohnston@gmail.com.
Yes, within the NZAC Code of Ethics. The limits are if I'm worried about someone's safety, or if the law requires it. I'll always talk with your teenager first where I can.
Start with a free call
Fifteen minutes to tell me what's going on and ask whatever you like. If I'm not the right fit, I'll try to point you to someone who is.
Book a free 15-minute call