Tenisha Kumar Counsellor

Tenisha is an experienced counsellor who has been providing both short-term counselling and longer-term therapeutic support to children, adolescents and young adults for more than 14 years.

Much of Tenisha’s experience has been working alongside ethnically and culturally diverse communities. She brings a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens to her work, grounded in cultural humility, compassion and respect for the unique experiences and identities each person brings.

Drawing on evidence-informed approaches and an appreciation of different cultural perspectives, Tenisha works in a systemic and holistic way, recognising the influence that family, relationships, culture, community and wider social experiences can have on mental health and wellbeing.

Tenisha supports children and young people experiencing a range of emotional and mental health difficulties. Her particular areas of interest include first-and-a-half and second-generation migrant experiences, cross-cultural family relationships, complex family dynamics, belonging and identity, anxiety, emotional regulation, life transitions, grief and trauma.

Tenisha provides a safe, compassionate and hopeful space for children and young people to explore their experiences, develop greater understanding and build skills that support their wellbeing. She works collaboratively with young people and their whānau, recognising their individual strengths, values and cultural context.