Whakaora is a new programme available to clients throughout the motu. We are proud to offer sessions for anyone in New Zealand who wants to experience group EMDR therapy. We also work directly with employers to provide the highest quality care following a workplace incident. Whakaora is also available for clients with an established ACC Sensitive Claim.
For everyone, our goal is to improve the accessibility of EMDR therapy to clients who want to recover quickly from trauma. Whakaora is led by three experienced clinical psychologists and follows the evidence-based EMDR group protocol. We believe that group therapy is the means to achieve unity, and our goal is to whiria te tāngata, or to weave the people together. We look forward to working with you.
For employers, Whakaora is offering an evidence-based, clinically validated programme that supports employee mental health with actual therapy, delivered effectively and efficiently by clinical psychologists. We offer data, including before, during, and after treatment measures to back up the service that we provide. We are flexible, offering effective treatment in-person or online, anywhere in the country. We are also ready to respond expediently to crisis events, preventing the development of posttraumatic symptoms.
For our friends and neighbours, we have been involved with helping Kiwis recover from many of the large-scale events that have impacted Aotearoa recently. We are partnering with Trauma Aid Aotearoa for a large-scale event in Napier, learn more here.
For our colleagues, we were honoured to present at the 2022 EMDR New Zealand conference and again at the 2023 APS NZPsS Member Symposium, and you can watch our presentations here. We are anticipating several more presentations and public events in 2023, feel free to contact us if you'd like to talk about how we can help you.
Summer EMDR Sessions
Clients throughout Aotearoa are invited to join us for collective healing during the summer season.
Sessions will be held throughout the summer at times that are convenient for you. These groups are approved for ACC Sensitive Claims clients - learn more here.
Sessions are from 10:00am - 12:00pm via Zoom.
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7, 14 & 21 Nov
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14 & 21 Dec
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4 & 11 Jan 2024
Join us for any or all of the sessions, we look forward to working with you!
Humanitarian Groups
Whakaora has been proud to lead the way in providing humanitarian aid and psychological support to Kiwis affected by recent events including the Auckland Anniversary Day floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and the Wellington hostel fire. With our partners at Trauma Aid Aotearoa, we plan to continue our efforts, when and where we are needed.
Flood and Cyclone Recovery Groups
We facilitated online groups for survivors and whānau throughout the country. Thanks to our amazing volunteers, we helped over 300 individuals across five groups in early 2023.
Wellington Fire Recovery Groups
Whakaora was on the scene within days after the Wellington hostel fire and helped residents of the hostel, their families, and first responders with evidence-based trauma therapy.
Napier EMDR Groups
With our partners at Trauma Aid Aotearoa, Whakaora will be facilitating groups and individual therapy sessions in August for survivors and whānau on the six-month anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Here's what our alumni have to say about their experiences with Whakaora. If you'd like to learn more, why not join our next session?
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviours resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.