A counsellor who wholeheartedly gets you 


or as one of my clients put it, someone who “gives a s**t”.

Hi, I’m Dr Amira Fathimath

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLOR

My journey with counselling began 14 years ago when I was a tertiary educator. I ended up being unofficial ‘mentor’ to students who would seek my advice beyond academic matters. I enjoyed being someone they could talk to, a shoulder to cry on and a beacon of empowerment as I guided them through their challenges. 

Seeing the impact that I made on their lives, I became a volunteer youth mentor and counsellor for crisis lines in New Zealand and the UK. This extremely rewarding experience led me to pursue a career in counselling. 

I bring to my practice deep empathy and unconditional acceptance, a solution-focused approach and diverse worldviews and cultural understanding. 

My balanced approach 

Holistic Approach

Using this approach I can help empower you to identify and foster a greater sense of understanding and awareness about symptoms and their connections between the mind, body and relationships and how these impact mental health and well-being.

Using evidence-based strategies, I draw on your strengths, help you lean into your resilience and empower you to move forward.

Strength-based

I work with the understanding that you may have experienced events and circumstances that may have been traumatic. This understanding helps me recognise possible links between your current symptoms and behaviours and your past experiences.

Trauma-informed

I collaborate with you so together we can explore the root of your issues and develop the right strategies to deal with them.

Solutions-focused

Qualifications and lived experience 

  • PhD in Counselling (on going) - University of Auckland.

  • Masters in Counselling (First Class Honours) - University of Auckland.

  • Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) in Counselling - University of Auckland

  • Certificate in Psychology - University of Oxford, UK

  • Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - University of Oxford, UK

  • PhD in Tourism Management - Auckland University of Technology

  • Master of Philosophy in Tourism Management - Auckland University of Technology

  • Master of Arts in Hospitality Management - Birmingham University College, UK

  • Bachelor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management - Birmingham University College, UK

I empathise with the struggles and fears that young people navigate in their daily lives. I also relate to the stress of parenting and single parenthood and the emotional roller coaster of breakups and divorce.

My intersectionality provides me with a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by diverse cultural, ethnic and minority groups. While I prize the uniqueness of my heritage and identity, I value, embrace and celebrate the differences in every individual.

“You gave a shit…I wasn’t just a number that walked through the door.”

G.B.

“While my journey of personal growth is ongoing, I would not be where I am today if it were not for you.”

R.