Eva Whakaata

From the time I was twelve years old, I found myself seated across from a counsellor, learning what it meant to share my story and explore the contours of my past, and my inner world. Through adolescence and beyond, counselling is something that I have used many times to support me through different seasons. 

 In my twenties, after getting married and having five children, I hit a rock bottom in my life. I found myself at a point where I couldn’t keep functioning the way I always had. I was burnt out. Unwell. Emotionally disconnected. Years of survival mode had caught up with me and I found myself back in personal counselling - but it wasn't helpful. At times I left feeling more exposed and vulnerable than I had before I walked in. That season changed the direction of my life and gave me the push I needed to pursue this work professionally. I felt a strong desire to train formally so that I could become a support to people in a way that is ethical, well-trained, and equipped to hold space for others with integrity. 

My practice is informed not only by my formal training but also by my lived experiences. I have walked through childhood trauma, explosive relationships, domestic violence, addiction, grief and bereavement, social anxiety disorder, and depression. All of these experiences have shaped the way I understand pain, resilience, and the profound need for compassion. They allow me to connect with my clients on a deeply human level, offering not just professional insight but genuine empathy born from embodied struggles.

As a counsellor, I’ve walked alongside people in diverse settings. I’ve had the privilege of working in an agency for women, a tertiary institute where I worked specifically with high-achieving young adults, and with bilingual (Māori) adolescents in a low-decile school setting. I am now in private practice, and I also work part-time supporting 1st and 2nd year Bachelor of Counselling students in their training.  I enjoy a diverse range of work. however, I work especially well with adult survivors of childhood trauma, as well as those navigating active grief and bereavement. It’s a privilege to support individuals who feel caught in painful relational patterns or who are struggling with emotional overwhelm, disconnection from their body, disruptive coping habits, or the weight of their past. 

At Whakaata Counselling, I offer a focused & therapeutic space where your unique story and challenges are honoured, and we move toward restoration that feels real and lasting.