Welcome
Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you’ve been on this journey before, taking that first step can feel daunting.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck in familiar patterns, disconnected from yourself or others, or simply tired of carrying so much on your own. Perhaps you’re navigating grief, relationship difficulties, anxiety, questions around identity and belonging, or a life transition that has unsettled you.
Whatever has brought you here, you don’t have to face it alone.
Therapy offers a space to slow down, feel heard and understood, and begin to make sense of what may have felt confusing, painful or difficult to put into words. It is an opportunity to explore your thoughts, emotions, relationships and experiences with curiosity and without judgement.
I believe therapy is a deeply personal and relational process. There is no expectation that you arrive with everything figured out. Together, we can make space for what is happening in your life and explore what might help you move forward with greater understanding, connection and self-compassion.
Finding the right therapist matters
I’m Jeannie, a New Zealand-born Samoan-Chinese psychotherapist based in Sydney, offering online psychotherapy to adults across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
My practice is grounded in warmth, curiosity and respect for each person's unique experiences and circumstances.
If something you’ve read here resonates with you, I invite you to reach out for an initial conversation. You don’t need to know exactly what you need from therapy before reaching out — we can start there.
My approach
I’m a registered psychotherapist offering a warm, compassionate space for reflection, healing and self-discovery.
My approach integrates Western therapeutic frameworks with Pasifika perspectives, recognising the interconnectedness of culture, family, relationships and our sense of self. I work relationally and psychodynamically, gently exploring how past experiences -particularly within our close relationships - may be shaping how we think, feel and relate in the present.
Many of the patterns we carry were once ways of protecting ourselves or helping us navigate difficult circumstances. In therapy, we can begin to understand these patterns with curiosity and compassion, rather than judgement.
For those who have experienced trauma, loss or relational difficulties, our work moves at a pace that feels steady and safe. I believe healing does not require you to have all the answers. Sometimes, it begins simply with having somewhere safe to put what you have been carrying.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. My role is not to tell you who you should be or how you should live, but to walk alongside you as you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and discover what feels possible moving forward.
“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life” - Shannon L Alder
About me
My name is Jeannie, and I am a New Zealand-born Samoan-Chinese woman. My cultural heritage, values, and spirituality deeply inform my approach to psychotherapy, guiding me in creating a space that is warm, open, and grounded in relational healing.
My clinical experience spans a variety of settings, including community mental health services such as Auckland Integrated Health, the Auckland City Mission - Te Whare Hinatore, and my recent work with Respect, where I supported individuals affected by family harm or intimate partner violence. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the unique challenges people face and the transformative potential of psychotherapy.
Areas I am especially passionate about include:
Trauma and Grief
Identity and Belonging
Anxiety and Stress
Depression
Self-Image and Self-Esteem
Life Transitions
Relationship and Family Dynamics
Women’s health
My practice is also informed by my years of service in primary school education and my studies in special needs and visual arts, which have enriched my understanding of human development, creativity, and resilience. My journey into psychotherapy was a natural progression - rooted in a lifelong commitment to holding space for others and honouring the interconnectedness of people, culture, and healing.
I am a PBANZ registered Psychotherapist and receive weekly supervision. I am committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in my practice and to creating a space that is culturally responsive, inclusive, and respectful of the unique journey each individual brings.
Therapy, for me, is like walking alongside someone in the rain. It’s not about forcing the storm to end, but about being present - offering shelter, warmth, and the confidence that we will find a way through.
I look forward to meeting you.
Fa‘afetai lava | Thank you.
Ka mua, ka muri
Walking backwards into the future.
水到渠成 — Shuǐ dào qú chéng
When the water arrives, the channel forms.
Book a consultation
Please click on the link below to organise a free 15-minute consultation or if have any questions regarding my service.