Bernard Smith

Bernard Smith NZAC

Bernard earned his counselling and clinical supervision qualifications at the University of Waikato and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. He has been a full member of New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) since 2005.

Bernard has worked in private practice since 2005 providing counselling and clinical supervision services to individuals, teams and a range of social service agencies in the community. Bernard accepts self-referred clients as well as individuals referred through a range of contracts he has with ACC Sensitive Claims, Family Court, Victim Support, numerous EAP providers and social service agencies.

Being a member of NZAC ensures Bernard is accountable not only to his clients and the community but to the professional association which sets standards for training qualifications and ongoing professional development for counsellors in New Zealand. NZAC has a Code of Ethics for the practice of counselling by its members and provides a complaints process for clients who have concerns about the counselling they receive.

The qualifications and experience Bernard has gained over the years means he is able to work with a range of clients and issues either in person at his office in Westport or online. Ongoing professional development ensures he is up to date with current best practice knowledge and treatment of most mental health issues.

Areas of Specialty

The treatment of Complex Trauma as it presents in adults

‘Complex Trauma’ describes a particular type of trauma that goes beyond a one-time incident. It tends to:

be repeated or have been ongoing;
be difficult or impossible to avoid;
occur within a personal relationship;
occurs at a developmentally vulnerable time such as childhood or adolescence, so that it affects a child’s development and later adult functioning; and
be covered up, kept secret or denied.

Common causes of Complex Trauma are child abuse and neglect as well as family and sexual harm in all its forms. Complex Trauma is however also seen among people who have survived imprisonment, torture or sex trafficking. Being a refugee or being exposed to long term conflict can also cause Complex Trauma. Having worked for many years in the area of family harm and sexual abuse Bernard has extensive experience in the treatment of Complex Trauma and it's many and varied symptoms. For individuals who have experienced sexual abuse/harm then counselling treatment is funded by ACC for those who are eligible.

General Counselling

Bernard has many years of experience in the treatment of a range of commonly experienced mental health issues such as: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationships and family, anger management, attachment and boundary issues, work/life balance etc. The counselling treatment modalities I utilise are currently considered best practice i.e. Cognitive Behaviour therapy, Solution Focused therapy along with elements of Person-Centred and Psychodynamic therapies. Please note Bernard does not provide counselling for children or young people.

Telehealth Services