Andrew Winchester, a Trusted Therapist Near You
It's time to improve your quality of life with an experienced, qualified, and certified counsellor/therapist you can trust.
An experienced counsellor you can trust. Available for in-person and online counselling NZ-wide, including individual, couples, and adult family counselling. If you're looking for a therapist near you, get in touch with Winchester Counselling today!
Professional Counselling Services in NZ, Based in Christchurch
We also offer online relationship counselling in Dunedin and online couples counselling for Wellington couples—wherever you are in New Zealand, you can reach out.
About Me
Trust and comfort between clients and myself are of utmost importance in my service. You can read here about my qualifications, process, and personal experiences, and get to know a little bit more about me.
Why Choose Winchester Counselling?
Reaching out for individual or couples therapy near you is a deeply personal decision. Here's what sets Winchester Counselling out:
Rare Specialist Credentials
I hold a MEd (First Class Honours) in Counselling and a BA (Hons) in Social Work. In 2018, I became the third male counsellor in New Zealand to achieve certification as an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist (EFCT). In 2023, I became the first male counsellor/therapist in New Zealand to be certified as an EFCT Supervisor by the International Centre of Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). In 2025, I became the first male therapist in New Zealand to have the credentials with ICEEFT as a certified therapist and supervisor in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
In-Person and Online Counselling
I offer both in-person and online therapy in NZ, removing geographical barriers to quality care. Every client's journey is different, so whether we're working face-to-face or over a secure online platform, we'll personalise your journey based on your history, goals, and what you're most comfortable with.
Evidence-Based Approach
I work using a proven, evidence-based approach. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is one of the most rigorously researched approaches in couples counselling. Rigorous research reports that 90% of couples experience significant improvement in their relationship satisfaction following ICEEFT Certified Therapist EFCT sessions.
Ready to Take the First Step? Book Counselling Services in NZ with Winchester Counselling
Taking the first step towards support is often the hardest part. But you don't have to figure it out alone. Whether you're seeking couples therapy near you, help with anxiety or depression, anger, adult families, or support through an addiction, Winchester Counselling is here.
Reach out today to book your initial consultation—in person in Christchurch or via secure online therapy throughout NZ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a counsellor and a therapist?
In New Zealand, these terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but there are some distinctions. Counselling services in NZ typically focus on talk therapy to support mental wellbeing, can have specialities based on best practice, and are often registered with a body, such as the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
A therapist can refer to a broader range of practitioners—including counsellors certified in an evidence-based method of therapy that requires rigorous training under supervision. Like Andrew has with the ICEEFT. Look for practitioners who hold a Master's qualification and who have undergone their own therapy as part of their training. When you're looking for a therapist near you, the most important things to check are their certifications, qualifications, professional memberships, and whether they have specialist experience with your specific concerns. Look for more than just a trained therapist; look for a certified therapist with a prominent organisation like ICEEFT.
I'm interested in attending couples therapy near me. Does my partner need to attend with me?
I strongly recommend that both partners attend, as couples therapy works when both people can explore patterns and practise new skills together. If your partner isn't ready or isn't available, individual in-person or online counselling in NZ can still be highly beneficial in helping you understand your own emotional responses and relationship dynamics.
Many people find that personal growth in one partner can positively shift the relationship as a whole.
What issues can your counselling services help with?
Winchester Counselling offers individual and couples counselling in Christchurch across a wide range of concerns, including:
- Relationship difficulties, communication breakdowns, and trust issues
- Depression, anxiety, anger, and stress
- Addiction (alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling)
- Grief and loss
- Pre-marital counselling and life transitions
- Discernment counselling
- Feelings of disconnection, low self-worth, or not feeling good enough
How does online therapy in NZ work with Winchester Counselling?
Our online counselling sessions are conducted through a secure video platform. All you need is a device with a camera and a private space. Many clients find that accessing therapy from home makes it easier to open up and engage with the process.
Whether it's individual sessions or couples therapy near you, our sessions follow the same structured, evidence-based approach as our in-person appointments, and online appointments are available to clients NZ-wide.
Couple Counselling
I offer relationship & couples counselling, providing guidance to couples who need to break negative cycles, help with a difficult situation, or to rebuild communication within the relationship.
Depression & Anxiety Counselling
I work with individuals through a range of problems, and can offer assistance in creating actionable solutions. Each individual is different, and I work however you're most comfortable.
Whats Others Say About Us
“I would recommend Andrew to any of my friends or colleagues. He is extremely professional and very caring! We feel very lucky to have had him as our counsellor!”
“Very impressed, extremely easy to talk to, put at ease, very hopeful, thank you so much Andrew.”
“Andrew is incredible, worth every minute”
“Andrew was wonderful to talk to, very approachable and had good understanding around my issues with some great talking points as well as really good plans for going forward. I'll definitely see Andrew again if I'm in need of assistance.”
“Very helpful, I feel a lot better about my work and relationships and am much happier in my life.”
"Andrew supports couples to be together in more loving and positive ways."
"I've seen many counselors in my time, and Andrew is by far the best of the lot. He has a great way of helping you get right into the heart of where the issue stems from and ways on how to alleviate it and how to stay mentally/emotionally fit. It's been 9 months since I've seen him, and I still use his advice daily."
"Highly recommend Andrew for couples therapy, he really helped my wife and I improve our level of communication with each other and gave us the tools to support each other during a very stressful period of our lives."
"My wife and I saw Andrew for help with dealing with conflict between us and trauma that we had experienced while together. Throughout our time seeing him he was non judgmental, understanding and overall helped us deal with our problems. We highly recommend Andrew for any issue you may have."
"Great guy, easy to talk to, very helpful and was able to give me the tools I needed to deal with anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Thank you Andrew. Worth every dollar."
"We completely recommend Andrew and the work that he does. We are so appreciative of what he has done for us. Thank you Andrew."