How to be the best version of yourself!

Toia Chase is a Senior Counsellor - MNZAC, Registered with NZAC, Registered with ACC (ISSC) - with 20 plus years’ experience in counselling. She is also a well-known and much-loved Hamiltonian who enjoys connecting with those in her community and hearing their stories. Her passion is to empower people, through practical tools and an attentive listening ear, to be the best person that they can be.

We recently had the chance to talk to Toia about her work as a counsellor and asked a few other questions about this inspirational wahine:                                                                                                                               

What inspired you to begin your counselling studies?

I have always enjoyed working with youth, as shown through my background in working as a youth worker for many years, and I started in that work as a rangatahi myself. I also saw the awesome work my mum did with single parents (as she was one herself) by how she equipped them with helpful tools that they were able to adapt to their beliefs and values, and pursue their dreams. Sharing her values, I saw counselling as a vehicle and tool that might be able to draw out more of who people are, to connect to their mauri/wairua and to break down barriers that got in the way of living a meaningful and great life.

Where are you based for your work?

I work half of my week at Single Parenting Services with whānau, mainly children and youth, alongside private counselling work and services offered from my home office - which include ACC sensitive claims, contracts with different organisations and supervision.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy playing touch rugby and usually play a couple of times a week, if I get the chance! It’s a great and fun way to tend to my physical wellbeing and a way to connect with others. I also enjoy going to the movies, usually with my flatmate and other friends. I love music as well, whether it be singing or listening to it.

What are some tools that you would recommend to help people deal with the inevitable stresses that come from a season of uncertainty, such as the one we are experiencing now?

There are a number of very useful online resources that provide tools that help to counteract the stress and anxiety that people often face during changing times like these. One such resource is the Virtual Hope Box, which is a smartphone application designed to teach people simple tools such as coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. 

Learning and applying these tools to your daily life can really make a positive difference when it comes to facing inevitable stresses. 

Some more online tools, recommended by Toia, will be posted up in our upcoming blog.