Emma Mackie-Watts

MNZAC, PGDipCouns, BScHons Psychology & Neuroscience

I was born and brought up in the North of England and came to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2006. I’ve lived in Auckland for 13 years and I came to counselling from a varied background in education, journalism, and business. A long time before I was a trained counsellor, people  often talked to me about what was worrying them.  It didn't matter what job I was doing, I found myself being the listener.

I studied my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Manchester and after four years working in UK schools,  I moved to Auckland in 2006, later completing my counselling training at the University of Auckland.

I'm pretty easy to get to know, so hopefully you won't feel so daunted about counselling once we've met! People tell me I'm a warm and compassionate person, who genuinely cares about others - I think that helps me build relationships with my clients quickly. I'm passionate about empowering people to find answers for themselves. In my experience, walking alongside people through their difficulties, often helps them find a way to make meaning from their pain, and even grow from it. There is no judgement, I’ll hear what you have to say with an open heart and mind. I won’t give you all the answers, and I won’t try to “fix” you or solve all your problems. I believe you have the answers within yourself, you might just need a little help right now to find your way through.

Qualifications & Memberships

MNZAC - Member Registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors

PGDIPCoun - Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Theory with Distinction from the University of Auckland

BScHons - Bachelor of Science Joint Honours in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Manchester