About me
Kia ora, Mabuhay, Welcome!
I am Maria, I am filipina and my pronouns are She/Her.
My parents immigrated from the islands known as the Philippines to Aotearoa in the mid 80’s. I was born in the North Island and spent the majority of my younger years living in Otautahi (Christchurch).
I have lived in the lovely and windy Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) for over a decade now with my family and our dog, Obie.
I love creating things (ceramics/painting/sewing//cooking), I enjoy a good coffee and a laugh (or cry!) and being anywhere near the ocean.
I love that I am able to work with people in a way that is deeply meaningful to me.
My
journey
I value my lived experience of being a parent, child of immigrants and a person of colour. These experiences enhance my practice and understanding of the many intersections of society that impact all our lives in different ways.
Learning about systemic issues of race and the impacts of colonisation has been a significant part of learning my own cultural identity. I have grown in awareness of my place as tauiwi and tangata Tiriti here in Aotearoa. A part of my on-going professional development is engaging in regular cultural and clinical supervison.
I recall being a young person experiencing anxiety and depression and not having access to a culturally sensitive counsellor. This is a big part of what motivates me and is what inspires Kabayan counselling (see my services page for more info).
Growing up in a country that is different to your parents or extended family can be hard. As a child of immigrants it can be difficult to ask for help or acknowledge your distress, especially if your cries for help have been met with feelings of shame or guilt and disregarded or minimised by comparing your experience to others. Your feelings and your distress is valid, no ones experiences are comparable.
“We can never be fully competent in another culture, but with cultural humility and working to expand our own perspectives and practices, we can become more culturally sensitive.”
Credentials
Provisional Member New Zealand Association of Counsellors (ProvMNZAC)
Bachelor of Counselling
Experience
Perinatal mental health
Youth mental health & addictions
Youth specialist services
Community work
Health promotion in secondary schools.
Mt Mayon Volcano. A landmark close to my heart as it overlooks both hometowns of my parents.