Our team is here to nurture your mental health and wellbeing.
Through therapy sessions, we work with you to explore who you are and treasure the awesome traits you have!
Kim Attwell
Operations Manager
I love working in the mental health industry and feel empowered on a daily basis by the team I work with. Working alongside a clinical team that make a positive difference in people’s lives is incredibly rewarding. I have lived experience from my own mental health journey and know that healing takes times and reaching out for help is a courageous step.
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My business studies qualifications and extensive experience in administration and business management has given me the transferable skills required to successfully manage the operations of Authentically U. I believe any company is only as successful as the people inside it and Authentically U is blessed with the best. You have come to the right place.
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Nga mihi,
Kim
Rhiannon Day
Lead Mental Health Clinician
Kia ora. My name is Rhi and I’m employed full time with Authentically U as a mental health clinician. I am a registered nurse with 15+ years’ experience working in the area of mental health and talk therapy. My nursing journey has given me experience working in the forensics environment, children and family services and as part of the acute crisis care teams across the country.
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I am passionate about supporting people along their journey to improving their well-being. I have worked with many people that have a history of historical trauma, and I understand that coming to share your story can feel overwhelming. I can work with you to achieve your goals and fulfil your potential whilst managing life’s challenges. I am kind, compassionate and relatable. I look forward to supporting you through your journey.
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“Too many of us are not living our dreams, because we are living our fears” – Les Brown
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Nga mihi,
Rhi
Stephanie King
Operations Support
Kia Ora
12 months ago, I had an opportunity to work in a community team working with people with mental health challenges. After working in accounting/finance roles most of my working life, I know now that this is where my passion and heart is. Supporting people to have a great life.
I am currently working behind the scenes at Authentically U and helping to support our wonderful clinicians to provide wellbeing services to our clients. I look forward to meeting you.
Nga mihi
Steph
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Sarah
Client Administration
Kia ora
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After many years of various experience in administration, I joined the Authentically U team in 2022. My role is mainly client administration – managing appointment bookings and making sure everything runs like clockwork for our clinicians and clients. I am methodical and detail/process orientated - these skills alone are essential to the smooth running of our client bookings.
I look forward to talking to you.
Nga mihi
Sarah
Aimee Russell
Mental Health Clinician
Kia ora. I am a Registered Nurse with 10 years’ experience working in the area of mental health. I have experience in a range of settings including delivering talk therapy, coaching and clinical / professional supervision.
When working with clients I like to deliver a service that is strength based and focuses on identifying and building on the positive coping strategies you may already possess. I am incredibly passionate about working with clients of all ages to address struggles you are facing in your personal or professional life that are having a negative effect on your wellbeing.
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My qualifications include a Bachelor of Nursing; Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Nursing; and a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science, Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, Clinical Supervision and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I have attended a three year programme of Transactional Analysis (Psychotherapy) through the Wellington Transactional Analysis Training Institute and have a training contract to work towards completing my CTA. Other trainings include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Peer/Group Supervision. My professional affiliations include the NZ Nurses Organisation, Australian and NZ Mental Health Association and I am a student member of the Aotearoa New Zealand Transactional Analysis Association and International Transactional Analysis Association (Psychotherapy). I am also a student member of the NZ Association of Psychotherapists.
Please don’t hesitate to make contact with me to discuss how we can work together to enable you to start living a less stressful life and being able to enjoy your work, family and relationships.
Nga Mihi Nui,
Aimee
April Brown
Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Nursing, Postgraduate certificate in Mental Health and addictions
Kia Ora
I'm April I have worked in mental health within a small rural community for 6 years. I have experience in crisis work and have worked in an inpatient setting. I have worked in mental health since I finished my nursing degree and continue to get absolute enjoyment from it.
I am passionate about providing compassionate care, my strengths lie in kindness, attentive listening, and creating a
relatable connection with all walks of life.
I aim to understand your story as you tell it and to respectfully respond in a way that will meet your needs, utilising different models of care that I have learnt throughout my practice. I am relatable and take pride in working in a way that upholds and respects Tikanga Maori as well as all other cultures.
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Above all, my ultimate goal is to guide and support you in becoming the best version of yourself.
Nga Mihi,
April
Del Simons
Bachelor of Alcohol and drug studies (Weltec 2004)
Certificate in Clinical Supervision (Abacus 2020)
Kia ora
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I am Del Simons and have been working in Mental Health and Addictions for the past 23 years, mostly with Corrections clients but also in general counselling as well. Most recently I was supporting survivors of sexual abuse through the Royal commission of inquiry into abuse.
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Originally from England, having emigrated to NZ in 1982 I have lived and worked in Tamaki Makaurau for most of that time (don’t hold it against me!) Father to 3 adult children and grandfather to 4 grandchildren.
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Counselling is my second career as I came from a background of working self-employed in the trades for 25 years until I completed my Bachelor of Alcohol & Other Drug Studies in 2004.
As someone with lived experience, I am passionate about supporting people in the addictions and mental health field. I like to think of myself as an ‘agent of change’, as someone who has ‘been there and done that’. I am non-judgemental and enjoy being alongside all gender identities and walks of life. My preference is to identify as a ‘signpost’ rather than telling clients what to do. I see counselling as a collaboration of client and counsellor. I believe my best attributes are, having a sense of humour, accepting and welcoming of all, being empathic but also being able to hold boundaries where necessary.
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Nga mihi,
Del
Jackie Bryers
Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Nursing,
Post Grad in Mental Health and Addiction
I have many years’ experience in mental health and therapeutic work and offer face to face and phone appointments. I specialise in ages 18+ and my approach is to look at a re-focus on valuing yourself and your contribution to life and being present.
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I enjoy challenging people’s mindsets and assisting persons to move forward positively. Let’s support your growth towards that positive change and improvement and/or control of issues such as self-esteem, anger, grief/loss, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, relationships and PTSD.
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Nga mihi,
Jackie
Grace MacRae
Qualified and Registered Occupational Therapist
Kia Ora
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I love hanging with people, getting alongside them and helping them be better versions of themselves. Whether that means looking at what individuals want and need to do across their daily routines to reach their goals and be as independent as possible. Helping to create solid habits, incorporating sensory intervention and helping to work through any barriers that may hinder achieving these goals .
I have been an Occupational Therapist for over 6 years, and I specialise in sensory intervention, using the information we get from our senses to help regulate our emotions. I am also specialised in working with developmental health conditions such as Autism, ADHD and Developmental Coordination disorder.
As a gym junkie and a sewing fiend, I love to encourage people to use the things that they are passionate about as a way to create solid habits! I also like to use exercise and crafts as a means to develop skills when possible.
Nga Mihi
Grace
Nilene Rama
Registered Social Worker, Bachelor in Social Services, Masters of Applied Social Work
I have a passion for working with clients and their whanau in the community and love making a difference in the lives of others. I have training and experience in gentle trauma work for chronic sexual abuse, childhood trauma and therapeutic crisis intervention and work with adults 18+ via face-to-face appointments, phone or via zoom. I specialise in trauma, alcohol and other drug addiction but can also help with anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD and building confidence and esteem. I take a trauma informed practice regularly in my work with clients and have in-depth knowledge of the impact trauma has on development and behaviour.
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Nga mihi,
Nilene
