When Olivia first came to ACROSS Te Kotahitanga o te Wairua, she was in a dark and difficult place. Struggling with long-term anxiety and depression, she found herself emotionally exhausted, lacking direction, and unsure of where she fit in life. Although she had worked with other support systems in the past, it wasn’t until she connected with Catherine (Katt), a counsellor at ACROSS, that things truly began to shift.

“I was definitely struggling with my mood. I’d lost energy, motivation. I just wasn’t happy with where I was in life,” Olivia recalls. “I was on mental health leave from work and just trying to push through, but I wasn’t thriving.”

What made ACROSS different wasn’t just the counselling, it was the sense of genuine connection and holistic care. “I clicked with Katt straight away,” says Olivia. “It felt safe, welcoming, and honest. She didn’t just let me talk, she gave me practical tools, resources, and followed up. That structure helped so much.”

But Katt’s support didn’t stop at counselling. Recognising Olivia’s love of animals and hands-on work, Katt went a step further. She introduced Olivia to a local animal shop where she could volunteer and gain confidence again. “Katt actually came with me to the interview, just for moral support,” says Olivia. “It wasn’t even a job yet, just a volunteering opportunity. But within a week, they offered me a part-time role. Now I’m working full-time and absolutely love it.”

The change in Olivia’s life since then has been transformative. “My mood has improved massively. I have more energy, more motivation, and I’m going to the gym more regularly. Most importantly, I’ve started rebuilding my confidence, something I’ve struggled with for years. I feel more free to be myself.”

With a full-time job that suits her, meaningful friendships, and a support system that believes in her, Olivia is stepping into a new season of life, one filled with purpose, connection, and hope.

“I’m still learning, and there’s a long way to go,” she says, “but I feel proud of how far I’ve come. Katt and ACROSS have been a huge part of that. They’ve given me consistent support, practical help, and belief in my potential, even when I didn’t see it myself.”

At ACROSS, we’re honoured to walk alongside people like Olivia, offering not just counselling, but connection, encouragement, and real-world support that changes lives.

*To protect privacy, names have been changed and models used.