About Kathryn

“I am a fully qualified and registered counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), based in Te Anau, Southland, and providing counselling services both locally and online throughout New Zealand. My professional practice is grounded in more than a decade of specialised work in rural mental health, informed by both academic research and lived rural experience.

I hold a Master of Professional Practice (Counselling), a Bachelor of Social Services (Counselling), and a BA in Psychology and Sociology. My master’s research examined help‑seeking reluctance among young rural men aged 16–30. I am currently completing my PhD at the University of Otago (Centre for Sustainability) where my research focuses on the mental health of small rural communities, with particular attention to the social, environmental, and land‑use factors that support or undermine wellbeing.

My work has been recognised nationally across research, practice, and rural advocacy. I received the 2022 Educational Excellence Award from Otago Polytechnic for my research on young rural men, the 2023 Rural Women New Zealand Business Award in the Health and Wellbeing category, and the 2026 Rural Games Contribution to Rural Mental Health Award for my ongoing leadership and impact in this field.

I am also a board member of Mental Hunts, a national charity dedicated to reducing stigma and improving mental health outcomes for firearms licence holders. In this role, I contribute clinical expertise, research insight, and rural sector knowledge to ensure that Mental Hunts’ training, messaging, and community engagement are safe, evidence‑informed, and grounded in the realities of rural life.

Funding support for counselling is available through ACC Sensitive Claims, WINZ, Gumboot Friday, the Rural Change Fund, and other sources. I assist clients in determining their eligibility for these options.

I contribute widely to national conversations on rural mental health through regular writing, media commentary, and public speaking. My work has been featured across rural publications, sector reports, and community platforms, where I translate research and frontline experience into accessible, practical insights for rural people and organisations. I am frequently invited to speak at conferences, field days, schools, community events, and industry gatherings, delivering evidence‑informed presentations on stress, anxiety, depression, rural identity, and the pressures facing rural communities. My writing and speaking aim to strengthen understanding, reduce stigma, and support the wellbeing of people living and working in rural New Zealand.”