Faculty Personnel

Brenda Levien (Christchurch)

NZRN, Dip G.Psych, MNZAC, MNZAP, Fellow Member of GANZ

Brenda has 30 years experience working with people as a nurse, counsellor and Gestalt Therapist and has been on the Teaching Faculty since 1993. She has a successful private practice and also works as an organisational consultant.  Brenda has been engaged with the development of GANZ (Gestalt Australia & New Zealand) and on Council over the last 10 years. She is currently a member of the ethics committee, and most recently, the editorial board of the Gestalt Journal of Australia and New Zealand. She is a guest trainer for the Gestalt Institute of Western Australia and Gestalt Therapy Practitioners Sydney. She was elected the NZAP Council in March 2007. She has a passionate belief in people’s innate abilities to find creative solutions to life’s challenges and a strong interest in how gestalt theory and practice can by used in a variety of ways within the community.

FACULTY

Stephen trained as a Gestalt therapist in England and has over ten years experience as a psychiatric nurse specialising in children and teenagers.  He has been on the Teaching Faculty since 1991. He works full time at True Colours Charitable Trust with children and teenagers who have serious chronic and terminal illness. Stephen is a keen musician and has trained in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) in Auckland. He is also a guest trainer for the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Western Australia.

Ishtar Rasheen (Christchurch)

Dip G.Psych, Cert. Clinical Supervisor, MNZAC

Ishtar works in private practice as a psychotherapist and supervisor.  She trained as a counsellor and worked as a Trainer and Director of Counsellors in a health service before completing her Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy at GINZ.  Ishtar joined the training team in 1998 and brings a passion for spiritual and soul honouring in her work.

Maria Bowden (Dunedin)

Maria's early professional life includes an extensive history as a social worker and educator.  Maria has been in private practice since 1994 and is a graduate of G.I.N.Z.  Her strengths include long term work; particularly in the area of abuse. Maria currently works with individuals; couples; groups and organisations as a therapist; trainer and supervisor. Maria has a personal and professional commitment to holistic health and wellbeing. She supports and encourages good relationships through awareness and honesty with oneself and in relation to others.

Virginia Edmond (Wellington)

MA, Dip Teaching, Cert TEFL, Dip G Psych, MNZAP, MGANZ

Virginia was a teacher before becoming a psychotherapist. She taught English to speakers of other languages in New Zealand and in the Middle East. Virginia graduated from the Gestalt Institute in February 1999 and is now in private practice in Wellington. She works with individuals and couples as well as offering supervision. Virginia has additional training in body oriented psychotherapy from a Gestalt perspective as well as in Bioenergetics. She is currently also the convenor of the Wellington branch of NZAP.

Stella McDonald (Dunedin)

Dip G Psych, MNZAC

Stella graduated from the Gestalt Institute in 1998 and since then has operated a private practice in Dunedin offering individual psychotherapy, Reiki, bodywork and latterly supervision.    She has been a local tutor for the Institute for 6 years, training both entry level and senior students in the Dunedin groups.

LOCAL TRAINERS

Vicki Grieve (Christchurch)

Dip G Psych, Dip Teach ECE, MNZAC, MGANZ

Before training as a Gestalt therapist Vicki worked for 10 years as a polytechnic tutor. She worked in community based mental health then for a counselling agency before moving into private practice. She has been in private practice in both Christchurch and Ashburton for 5 years. Her work is with individuals and couples, ACC, Family Court, and supervision. Vicki is currently the New Zealand representative on the GANZ Council. Spending time in nature and the outdoors is important to her. She enjoys assisting others to find strengths and ways to support themselves to live their life more fully.

Nickei Falconer (Christchurch)

Dip G. Psych. MNZAC, MGANZ

Nickei is a Gestalt Therapist in private practice, balancing her practice with raising her two wonderful children. Since graduating from the Gestalt Institute in 1997 she has practiced in Christchurch for 17 years as a counsellor, psychotherapist, and supervisor, and for the past eight in her own practice "LifeWorks".  Prior to training as a therapist she worked in management at local and national levels, and was involved in health foods, holistic health and nutrition. Nickei deeply enjoys her work and has an ongoing interest in inclusive approaches to healing and has continued to explore other paradigms. For the past three years Nickei has co-edited the Gestalt Journal of Australia and New Zealand.

In her spare time she enjoys walking, swimming, writing, and gardening and is currently fulfilling one of her life dreams and emerging as a performing Jazz singer

Dinah Cameron (Dunedin)

Dip G Psych, Dip Bus Admin, B Ed, Dip Teaching, MNZAC

Dinah is a Gestalt psychotherapist in private practice in Dunedin.  She works with couples and individuals and see’s people for group and individual supervision.  Dinah also co-facilitates a stage 1 Gestalt training group.  She has an enthusiasm and excitement for this work that continually leads her into more awareness of the processes involved.  Dinah enjoys reading widely and takes rest and relaxation very seriously.

Lynley McCristell (Dunedin)

Dip. Teaching, Dip G Psych, MNZAC

Lynley graduated from GINZ in 2003 and since then has worked as a therapist in private practice in Dunedin. Lynley brings with her 10 years experience working with people who have intellectual disabilities and maintains a part time position in this field. She is a passionate advocate for making professional supervision available to people working in support roles.

Felisa Roldan (Wellington)

MBChB (Spain), MRCPsych (UK), Affiliate ANZCPsych (NZ), MGANZ

Felisa graduated from medical school in Spain in 1988 and then moved to England where she trained as a Psychiatrist becoming a Member of Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1993. Felisa worked in a UK Psychotherapy unit until 1995, when she moved to New Zealand pursuing her interest in psychotherapy. In 1999 she graduated as a Gestalt Therapist and has worked as a consultant psychiatrist with an interest in psychotherapy for the last 11 years. Currently she is the consultant psychiatrist at the Regional Eating Disorder Service in Wellington.