Helping women navigate their middle years with vitality, clarity and intention.
Haere mai; welcome
Midlife change and perimenopause can start as a whisper. A sore hip. A restless night. A short fuse. Tears as your teen drives away for the first time.
For some people this transition goes smoothly. For many others though, the convergence of hormonal changes and life stressors impacts every aspect of wellbeing: from health, mood and relationships through to a sense of peace, life spark, purpose and identity.
Counselling offers a space to reflect and make sense of how this transition is unfolding for you. Together we can find practical ways to navigate immediate challenges, and explore deeper patterns, strengths, values and possibilities. So that your next chapter might be about flourishing and living fully, even amidst the difficulties that life brings.
A little about me
My homeland is South Africa, where many moons ago I trained as a psychologist, earning my masters. After living for a long time in Australia, where I ran a private practice, my mahi and home are now in beautiful Taranaki, Aotearoa (New Zealand).
I’m Rina, mum to 3 now adult children and a joyful, hilarious golden retriever. I have full registration here as a counselling psychologist, with a special interest in women’s health and wellbeing, grief, chronic pain, menopause and aging.
How I can help
Areas I offer support include
Psychological wellbeing
self-compassion, relaxation and mindfulness training
low mood; anger; anxiety (health anxiety, OCD, body dysmorphia, body-focused repetitive behaviours, social and general anxiety)
imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, perfectionism
Health & chronic conditions
sleep struggles and insomnia
compassionate and sustainable health habit change
navigating the psychological side of health issues such as diabetes, pain and chronic illness
Life challenges & transitions
grief, loss and bereavement
relationship stress
life direction and values
perimenopause, menopause or surgical menopause challenges
stress and burnout
Professional support
professional supervision for HIPs
EAP support through Clearhead
Working with me
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please text or give me a ring on 026 686 5609, or enquire via email, hello@rinabelgraver.com.
I offer 50 minute appointments; please contact me for my fee. Appointments are in-person in New Plymouth, or via secure telehealth.
A referral is not required to access private psychology appointments; ACC claims appointments are not yet available. EAP appointments can be booked through Clearhead.
My approach
I draw primarily on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), also working with
CBT-I (Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia), for help with sleep
ERP for OCD and body repetitive behaviours
nature-based, narrative and neuropsychology
non-diet, weight neutral approaches for emotional eating and body image
I find the beautifully holistic Te Whare Tapa Whā, the Māori model of health and wellbeing, an excellent way to frame everything.
☺️ be more whale?
Did you know that several species of whales also experience menopause, using their decades of experience to guide and protect their pods? (hm, may this be a peaceful transition for these magnificent creatures).
Drawing from the wisdom and depth of your experience, what might living more meaningfully look like for you, in the second half of your life?
Perhaps you’re already noticing a few changes - a sharpening sense of what matters and what doesn’t. A softening of the drive for striving and external validation. Tolerance for bullshit and people-pleasing, no more. All assets and raw material for building your next chapter…