Amy Benjamin Counselling

I came to Amy through Youthline and was funded seven sessions through them. I had just gone through a big life change, having left my job and moved back to Auckland. I was at first hopeful that I would get a job easily because of the field I worked in but it wasn’t, so it increased my anxiety and lowered my mood. Since seeing Amy my anxiety has lessened, and I feel like I have someone there supporting and guiding me through this tricky time in my life. 

Our sessions are usually outside going for walks and I cannot recommend the outdoors more for counselling or even just to help with your mood. For me it has helped getting fresh air and Vitamin D even if it is just sitting outside for 10-20 mins. I also find it calms me being in nature being able to see and hear what goes on around you, using grounding techniques. I am grateful that Amy has shown me the benefits to being outside because I look forward to our weekly walks through the bush. On my own I go for bush walks during the week, and it always makes me feel calm, revitalized and I have gotten my motivation back to keep searching for work. 

I also would love to say that Amy is an approachable, easy to talk to person. I feel like I can confide in her without judgements and that even if she is providing me a differing opinion it's because she wants me to see the whole situation. She has also advocated for me, when I needed more funding to continue my sessions.

When I first started counselling with Amy, I was struggling with some pretty intense anxiety and low mood. I felt constantly overwhelmed, weighed down by stress from uni/work, and was unsure how to get through it all. I first found Amy through Gumboot Friday and was lucky enough to continue seeing her through Youthline funded sessions. Being outside during our sessions made such a difference. There’s something about walking in nature that helps clear the fog in my mind and eases the weight in my chest. The combination of Amy’s kind, attentive support and the grounding presence of the outdoors gave me the space I needed to reset and refocus.
One moment that has stuck with me was when I spotted some yellow gorse flowers during one of our outdoor sessions as we walked through a beautiful track in Birkenhead. I chose them as a personal symbol because they represented resilience and the ability to find bright, striking beauty in even the toughest, most uncomfortable places—like the sharp and spiky gorse bush. Now, I find myself spotting those same flowers everywhere, especially on road trips. They’re so prominent, lining the sides of the road, and every time I see them, I’m reminded of the strength I discovered during counselling and the importance of finding light even in challenging times.

While counselling isn’t a magical tool that makes everything instantly better, and I still have times whI struggle, I’ve learned something incredibly valuable: I now know how to use nature as a tool. Whether it’s stepping outside for a moment of peace, feeling the sun on my skin, or simply taking in the sights and sounds around me, nature has become something I can turn to when I need grounding or perspective. It’s no longer just about the sessions—it’s about carrying that practice with me every day.

I really loved that the counselling felt equally led by me as it did by Amy. I always had the opportunity to share what I wanted to focus on during our time together, which made me feel in control of my own healing process.

I really recommend outdoor counselling to everyone, especially for those of us who can feel anxious or closed off when sitting inside a room all the time. In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s so important to stop and reconnect with nature. Being outside has a way of putting everything into perspective and reminding you of the bigger picture.

Thank you so much for guiding me through this journey, Amy. Your support and the connection to nature have truly changed the way I experience the world around me, and I feel so much stronger and more hopeful because of it.

My experience with Amy and outdoor counselling has been incredible. Before starting counselling with Amy I had seen a number of counsellors in the past - I never truly connected with their approaches to therapy. I decided to try outdoor counselling as a way to work through anxiety symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and a general feeling of being constantly overwhelmed. I was intrigued by the idea of connecting with nature while addressing my mental health. Being outside beside the lake, under the tall trees in the forestry, or with my feet in the sand on the beach, provided a sense of freedom and calm that I had never experienced in a traditional counselling setting. Walking through nature while talking felt less formal and more natural, which made it easier to open up but also grounded me and reminded me of what was actually real. The combination of fresh air, physical movement and deep conversation brought clarity to my thoughts. As well as this I have also learnt how to reconnect to my senses when I get overwhelmed and stuck in my head, how to let unhelpful thoughts float past and not pay too much attention to them, and how to find comfort in the present moment. I’m incredibly grateful for the support and insight Amy has provided, and for the unique and grounding experience of therapy in nature. 

In the past, when I have spoken to a therapist about my life and the things causing me stress and anxiety, I feel like I can’t speak. Not because I don’t want people to know, but because I can’t breathe, think clearly, and feel unwell. But when I heard about ecotherapy with Amy, I was unsure if it would be the right fit for me. As someone who experiences chronic pain and fatigue, I was concerned that I would leave therapy feeling worse than when I arrived. But Amy lets me set the pace, and we can walk, sit, or stand outside. I always feel relief when I leave ecotherapy. Being outside makes me feel calm and somehow energised at the same time. I don’t cry, I can breathe, I don’t feel sick, and yet I have been able to share what is going on in my life. I never feel as if I can’t share something; we are in areas that are still private, and we can always pause if people walk by us. I can’t imagine now going to therapy where I have to sit in an office every time.