BHS (Counselling), BA (English).

Position

Lecturer

Teaching areas

Health and Counselling

Biography

Halen graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science degree (Counselling) from Auckland University of Technology (AUT). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (English) from The University of Waikato. Person-centred forms the basis of her work as a counsellor; however, she is fluid in her approach, often integrating other modalities when working online in her private practice. She believes that person-centred counselling mirrors many qualities embodied within Whakawhanaungatanga (establishing connections and relationships), which includes awhi (support), aroha (compassion) and mana manaaki (actions, attitudes, and connections that nurture, develop, and challenge people while maintaining their dignity) to name a few. Being Māori with European ancestry, Halen enjoys learning about and implementing both Western and indigenous approaches in her work. Mental health and wellbeing are close to her heart, and she thrives when having conversations around improving these for all.

Why I love MIT

I love the diversity at MIT, and you are accepted as you are and supported while navigating your studies. It’s a place of learning and growing, and in this role, I get to be a small part of students’ journeys at MIT as part of the Bachelor of Applied Counselling degree, which is incredibly humbling and rewarding.