Kia ora Koutou. My name is Camille Visser, a trained Counsellor living in the Nelson/Tasman region of Aotearoa, New Zealand. I want to introduce you to this blog page for ‘Elevate Counselling and Wellbeing’. I believe in a holistic approach to health, combining a healthy body and mind with strong social connections to achieve genuine wellbeing. Nature therapy is of real interest to me and I truly value my time in the outdoors as deepening my relationship with the natural world. Interaction with the natural environment is both restorative and healing for humans and has been for over 350,000 generations. That instinctive need to connect with nature is in our DNA. The rise of the industrial revolution and the growth of cities, has meant over the past 100 years our contact with the natural world has drastically reduced. Our need to connect with nature is evident with computer screen savers as one example of this. Popular natural scenery such as sunset beaches, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains indicate our desire to connect to nature, even when we are not in its presence. Over the decades our divorce from nature has not only contributed to physical health issues but psychological issues and poor mental health. The use of technology has magnified, with some humans having never set foot on a mountain, bush trail or the beach.
My belief is there is a strong link between regular contact with our natural environment and a positive effect on human wellbeing and psychological health. With this in mind, I have created the nature therapy service ‘Walk & Talk’, as I believe not all Counselling sessions need to be restricted to an indoor setting. Outdoor sessions can be arranged around the Nelson/Tasman region on the beach, a local park or botanical gardens. The connection between the whenua (land), our tīpuna (ancestors), the individual and the whānau (family), are all an interconnecting system of mind, body, spirit and land.
The instinctive need to connect with nature is in our DNA
Counselling is a process of talking about and working through personal issues, which can require short or longer-term therapy. Whether you are unhappy in your job,
relationship, or working through past trauma, counselling can help clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness. The second service Elevate Counselling and Wellbeing provides is ‘Online Therapy’, which can be done using your choice of either a laptop or phone. An emailed link for you to click takes you to an online waiting room where we start a secure video call through doxy.me. This is easy and convenient counselling that is conducted from the comfort of your own home.
I chose the name ‘Elevate Counselling and Wellbeing' as the word Elevate refers to raising to a higher, better or more impressive position. I feel like this word fits well in the outdoors and in my external natural environment. Hiking to the top of a rugged mountain, rock climbing or walking up to the top of a beautiful canyon is reflected in this single word. Internally we can elevate our thoughts, actions or our awareness to create a different story or strengthen the relationships around us. Every small step counts in our journey of elevating to a more improved and healthier state of wellbeing. The colours I have used throughout the website feel calming and soft with light blues and greys. The images are mostly taken by Adrien Paris with the central image of Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes. A calming place I
love to visit in both summer and winter. The design of the logo includes these colours, which reflects the ocean, lakes, rain clouds and sky. It displays the mountains of Lake Rotoiti and Tokangawhā (Split Apple Rock) in the Abel Tasman National Park, which are both significant features of our local area. The logo has a hint of the symbolic Lotus flower, which has a life cycle unlike any other. With its roots planted in thick mud, it submerges each night into the murky river water. Undeterred by its dirty environment it miraculously re-blooms the next morning without residue on its petals. A raindrop prominently in the middle also reflects the image of a teardrop. Water is our primary life source and like every step forward, every drop matters when making progress. Tears are the symbol of sadness, happiness, grief, life’s journey, healing and release.
My belief is each person is the expert in their own lives. By working together we can help to create a new or improved story and rediscover a purpose and passion for life. I work in my counselling practice using a pluralistic approach. I draw from Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Imago Therapy and the Māori model of health, te Whare Tapa Whā. I am a Provisional Member of the New Zealand Association for Counsellors and adhere to the Code of Ethics. I aim to continue growing in my understanding of the values of protection, participation and partnership and the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi and colonisation of Aotearoa for Māori and te Ao Māori.
I am excited about this journey and creating this business and look forward to meeting you and working together.
Ngā mihi.
