Counsellor Team
Sofie Ofstad
Kia ora koutou,
I come from a background of adventuring in the outdoors, both as an outdoor instructor and adventure tourism guide. Thus, I’m comfortable with keeping people physically and emotionally safe, and find that I am calm and grounded even when the environment is not. Having been brought up in a handful of different countries I find that I am able to meet people where they are at with ease.
As a student of NMIT’s Bachelor of Counselling I am currently undergoing training in a variety of therapeutic frameworks, these include, but are not limited to, person centered counselling, solution focused therapy, and narrative therapy. This pluralistic approach to counselling is first and foremost collaborative and rests on the foundation that different people are likely to be helped by different things at different times.
Wanda Stellingwerf
Joanne Lancaster
Shari Gibson
B. Counselling,
Provisional Member, NZCCA
Hi, I’m Shari and have recently graduated from BTI Tauranga. It has always been my passion to see people overcome the challenges and adversities of life, achieving a greater sense of wholeness and well-being.
I see the counselling relationship as collaborative, and I offer a safe, non-judgemental and supportive environment for my client to explore the issues they are facing, believing that our past can become our teacher as we journey towards growth.
I value the uniqueness and dignity of each individual and aim to foster an environment of safety, respect and acceptance. I work with my client towards their own greater self-acceptance and self-compassion, as they seek to understand themselves and their experiences more.
My approach is person-centred and strengths-based, integrating aspects of CBT and Narrative therapy.
Laura Evans
Whether you are navigating challenges in relationships, experiencing anxiety or low mood, facing life transitions, or supporting a young person through difficult emotions, I am here to walk alongside you. I am trained as a Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, and I have experience co-facilitating Self-Compassion groups in Nelson. I enjoy group and family therapy and I am currently training in Gottman Level 1 and 2, to expand my toolkit in working with couples.
I am a Canadian ex-pat and a mother of three school-aged kiddos who love exploring all that Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Māui has to offer. My happy spots are the many beautiful beaches, swimming holes, and mountain vistas.
My approach is person-centred, which means I believe you are the expert in your own life. Together, we create a safe and trusting environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace. My approach is trauma-informed and anti-oppressive. I work gently and collaboratively, supporting you to build insight, resilience, and practical strategies that feel right for you.
Vikki Park
B. Couns.
PNZCCA
I am a pluralistic counsellor with a person-centred approach, offering a warm, non-judgemental space where people can feel safe to explore what is happening for them at their own pace. I currently practise as a volunteer counsellor with Life Linc.
I work collaboratively and believe in meeting people as they are, with compassion, curiosity, and respect. I am committed to supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and I value creating therapeutic relationships that feel safe, inclusive, and empowering.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling and have a particular interest in the areas of sexuality and intimacy, working with both individuals and couples. I am currently undertaking further professional development in Couples Therapy through the Gottman Institute to deepen my practice in this area.
Outside of counselling, I enjoy spending time hiking and camping, and value time with my family, including the furry kind 😊.
Geinty Wells
I am a Māori counselling student currently in the second of the counselling degree.
I grew up in a rural community that strongly shaped who I am as a person. I can focus fully on the person in front of me, meeting them where they are with openness, respect and care. I believe the most important parts of counselling are creating a non-judgmental space, building trust and walking alongside people at their own pace.
Throughout last year, I was introduced to a range of counselling modalities that inform my developing practice, included both western and Māori modalities. These modalities provide me with insight into therapeutic approaches to help me develop models of counselling. I am interested in strengths-based and culturally responsive approaches, which align with my values as Māori.
Sophie Burgess
Interested in joining our counselling team?
Talk to our counselling coordinator on 03 548 2400 or email [email protected]
Staff Team
Dawn Allan
Operations Manager
I have lived most of my life here in Nelson, apart from time spent in Auckland in the 1990’s, in 1999 I headed overseas for my big OE and ended up working in England. While there a meet a bloke and had a child, in 2003 I travelled home back to Nelson when my baby was 11 weeks old (the best age to travel with baby). In 2007 my sister in law, asked me to join the Committee at Postnatal Depression Support Network Nelson (now known as Perinatal Support Nelson), this started a new phase in my working life of being involved in the NFP sector.
Working for an NGO not only gives you a chance to work more closely with clients, it allows you to really see that you have made a difference in their lives, it also gives you the opportunity to complete different tasks.
In 2015 I joined the team at Life Linc Nelson as the Administrator and now I am the Operations Manager.
Debbie Brooks
Community Liaison Administrator
Kia Ora. I am an American who has been calling New Zealand home for the last 15 years. I am from a very large family and have always felt it is important to speak up when I see a need. I have a passion for work in the “for purpose” sector and have been involved in charities for the better part of a decade now. My primary focus for work has been the performing arts sector as I have been involved with the Nelson Fringe Festival since it started in 2015 and I currently sit on the charitable trust that governs the festival.
I live in Upper Moutere with my husband and our 6 year old son, a dog, cat and chickens. Working for Life Linc has brought me immense satisfaction as I focus on building relationships with our stakeholders and community groups and expanding our social media reach. Taking care of our mental well-being is very important to me as I discovered after having my son and experiencing post-partum depression. Getting counselling has made an immense difference in my life and I support the mahi of removing barriers to access care. My hope is for anyone searching for help to find it easily.
Laura O'Donovan
Counselling Coordinator
Life Linc Board
Diana Bartle
Trustee
I have been a Registered Nurse for more than 40 years. I completed my nursing, Public Health and Occupational Health nursing training in London before spending two years in rural Bangladesh with the Save the Children Fund. This was followed by three years with Oxfam and the British Red Cross in Somalia, where I lived in refugee camps, trained refugees to be health workers and organized feeding centres for malnourished children, before becoming the Community Health Advisor to the Somali Government Refugee Health Unit.
On moving to New Zealand, I worked in occupational health and practice nursing, and taught CPR and First Aid in the community and to health professionals.
I now volunteer with Riding for the Disabled and Citizens Advice Bureau. Together with my position as chair of Life Linc, I see these roles as my ongoing contribution to the health of our community.
Richard Wilkins
Trustee
Jennifer Montauban
Trustee
Counselling is at the very core of my work as a qualified counsellor and continued learning interests. Coming onto the Board provides the opportunity to extend how I can contribute to the work and organisation as a whole.
The experience and skills I can offer to this role are drawn from a pool of life learnings and
experiences, challenges, and development I have had along the way. I retrained and graduated as a counsellor in 2020. Prior to training, I previously worked alongside my husband co-managing our business for over 21 years while raising 4 children, now adults.
In my spare time I continue my love for learning, reading, gardening, singing, walking in nature and faith community. The greatest reward is continuing to spend time with our growing family, their partners and our 7 grandchildren.
Join our Board
Places come up on our Board from time to time. Please email our manager if you would like to know more on [email protected]