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Life Linc creates positive change in our community by enabling people to find more ease and joy in their lives and relationships.

In 1974, the organisation that would become Life Linc Counselling was established, original starting as a 24-hour telephone support service called Lifeline Nelson. There have been a few changes since we started in 1974, but each change was made to address the needs of the Nelson-Tasman community and better deliver counselling to those who need it.  

Lifeline Nelson was established in 1974 by the Reverend Harold Brown of St. John’s Methodist Church. Representatives from various churches formed the first interim committee and the recruitment and training of telephone counsellors (TC) was undertaken. On August 26, 1974, the new service was launched with three shifts staffed in a new room behind St. John’s Methodist Church. An op shop was started in November 1974, to give Lifeline Nelson regular financial support. The Life Linc Goodwill Shop has been independent from Life Linc Nelson, 100% volunteer-run, and in 2025 the Goodwill Shop closed its doors and ended half a century of supporting local charities. Life Linc Counselling will always be grateful for the support that has come from the Goodwill Shop over the decades.

In 1983 the “Home line” service was started, an outreach service where our counsellors ring out to a number of people, predominantly elderly, disabled, unwell or socially isolated, on a daily or weekly basis.  Though it is impossible to calculate data of the number of people who used or volunteer for us as this has been lost to the shredder of time (all confidential/historical documents are only keep for 10 years). We can share recent stats for the past 19 years. From April 2005 to May 2017, we took 46,391 calls.  

In 1996, Goodwill House was purchased, and we finally had a home base, originally an undisclosed location where we could operate the call centre from. Prior to this, the telephone counsellors would field calls from their own home. In August 2006, Lifeline Nelson began offering a free short-term face-to-face counselling service providing up to 6 sessions for clients, frequently on long waiting lists for referral to other counselling agencies, to fill the crisis void. 

In 2013, Lifeline Nelson reached a crossroads where we could choose to join Lifeline Aotearoa and become part of a nationwide organisation or remain independent. We chose to remain independent and continue to serve the Nelson-Tasman community. In February 2015, we rebranded as Life Linc Nelson and with the growing face-to-face service, we closed the telephone service in 2016. We were then able to use the house located on Collingwood Street as our office and afford clients a quiet area to come to for counselling and privacy as well. 

Life Linc Nelson focused on providing affordable face-to-face counselling for the Nelson-Tasman region through volunteer counsellors. Since 2011, we have delivered 8937 counselling sessions to 1,731 clients. With our 50 years of work in Nelson-Tasman, we now have counselling rooms in Nelson, Richmond and Motueka (as needed) and have worked closely with NMIT and Bethlehem Tertiary Institute to support counsellors with their community placements as part of their training. The board governs the organisation and sits to advise, deliver oversight and support the team at Life Linc to deliver affordable counselling. 

In 2025, with the requirements to review our status as an incorporated society, Life Linc Nelson chose to register as a Life Linc Charitable Trust which aligned better with our focus on community delivery of services. With half a century of history behind us and the future ahead, Life Linc Counselling is positioned to continue to deliver excellent counselling to individuals and couples in the Nelson-Tasman region while continuing to support counsellors throughout their professional placement and ongoing training.

Testimonials

Individual Counselling

“Having never had counselling before I was initially very wary and nervous. My counsellor was nothing short of a legend! Her leading questions allowed me to find and express my own solutions. There were suggestions for self help. It was okay to cry and there was absolutely no judgement. I am extremely grateful that I had empathetic support on my very traumatic and painful journey.”

“I got to move forward at my own pace, my counsellor was extremely professional and very perceptive. I felt really safe during the sessions and they have changed my perception of life and of myself. Keep up the excellent work”

“I am so grateful to have come across your services and even more I feel so understood by my counsellor. I have done a couple of therapy myself in the past but this one definitely stands out! We need more services like yours in this world in order to make counselling more accessible to anyone!”

“I was seen quickly. My counsellor worked hard to get to know and understand me. She used many skills & techniques. She was so warm and non-judgemental. So perfect for me”

“I think it’s a wonderful service. It gave me the chance to have excellent, non-judgemental counselling at a very reasonable cost. For once I could say anything with no fear of criticism and as a result new awareness and belief in myself. Thank you”

“Your service has improved not only my life but my relationship. Thank You”

Couples Counselling

“Our counsellor enabled some kind of shift in us or me. Since the sessions we have felt far more understood by each other than ever before. I can see from other perspectives now and feel so much calmer.”

“We are very thankful to Life Linc and the wonderful support we received thru counselling as a couple. I’m really grateful to be able to receive this service, so fantastic and professional especially in a time of economic hardship. All our gratitude x “

“Thank you very much for your help and teaching us some useful stuff- we’ll carry on with that, especially the mirroring which has been difficult to stick to.”

“Found it really helpful and I think everyone should have a go at counselling once in their life. Now seeking individual counselling as a result recognising that there are things that need working on.”

Referring Agencies

“Impressed with where the client is now after receiving counselling with Life Linc”

General Practitioner

Life Linc Counsellor

“I enjoy being part of a team who has similar values around making counselling accessible to everyone. During my time at Life Linc I have worked with a great variety of clients both individuals & couples. I feel very supported by the Life Linc Manager & Admin team (plus my supervisor) who are equally passionate about what we provide. I find it a very nurturing and fulfilling organisation to be part of.”

Georgina Pattullo, Life Linc Counsellor

Professional Affiliations

NZAC – New Zealand Association of Counsellors
AANZPA – Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association

Registered Charity number: CC26939
Incorporated Society number: 2610778

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