Background and Experience

I have trained and worked as a counsellor, social worker and domestic violence advocate since 1997. I worked as a social worker between 1997 and 2008 in Japan.

My ACC, EAP and private practice work involves individual counselling, couple, family, seminars and workshops (e.g. Mental health first aid, ACC, trauma therapy, etc.)

Also, I have worked at Lifeline, Shine (Domestic Violence Centre), MIT Manukau (lecturer) and other social services in New Zealand since 2009.

I also provided assistance to international students since 2011. (Counselling, advocate, agent job)

I am currently working at ACC, EAP, Community mental health service, Oranga Tamariki, MSD and other organizations through my own business as the Director of Hana Counselling and Education.

Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts, always perseveres. I trust the person who takes action not words. Love means forgiving and being kind not being strong. This is my philosophy by Ai Kihara

Registrations and Memberships

Member of the NZAC

Member of Social Workers Registration Board , NZ

Mental health first aid instructor (Te Pou)

Registered Social Worker, Japanese Social Workers Association

The New Zealand EMDR Association

ACC Registered Counsellor

Qualifications

Post graduate  in responding to Trauma, (Bethlehem tertiary Institute, Tauranga, New Zealand)

Master of Counselling, (University of Auckland, New Zealand)

Diploma in Counselling (Lifeway College, New Zealand)

Bachelor of Sociology (University of Momoyama, Japan)

Bachelor of Arts (Food and Science, Kagawa University, Japan)

National Certification in Health, Disability, and Aged Support Core Competencies

Certificate of Triple P (Parenting trainer /facilitator)

Certified Stop Smoking Programme Practitioner

Trainer certi of Foundations in Infant Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ICAMH) Wharaurau Trainer certi of the SCAS-ABC (screening young people for substance-related harm) wharaurau

Awards

2023 :Awarded for of the best holistic trauma therapist (NZ) and excellent award in LGBTQIA support 2023 UK Mental Health Award 2022 at Global Health & Pharma

2022:Awarded for Raising star trauma therapist UK Mental Health Award 2022 at Global Health & Pharma

2008: Outstanding Perseverance at Lifeway College in Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand