MEET YOUR TEAM
The Cascade Counselling team uses evidence-based and trauma-informed modalities to help with emotional healing and build mental strength.
THERESA BRUCE
Founder and Head Counsellor
Bachelor of Counselling · NZCCA and NZAC Accredited Supervisor
Theresa has more than 15 years experience of working with children. While raising her own kids, she worked as a teacher aide supporting neuro-divergent tamariki.
This experience ignited her passion to see clients excel into their limitless potential. She pursued this passion further, qualifying with a Bachelor of Counselling.
Theresa has been working alongside kids, their families and adults in a therapeutic capacity, since 2019. She remains an active learner with more than 600 cumulative hours of training — beyond her initial bachelor's degree — in a range of professional development modalities and qualifications, including IFS trained therapist, CPW advanced intern and is a member of NZCCA.
CASSANDRA SMILLIE
Counsellor (In-Training)
Bachelor of Counselling (Final Years)
Cassandra brings a wealth of knowledge to the Cascade Counselling team. With a background in administration and youth work, she has over seven years of experience supporting young people.
Currently in the final years of her Bachelor of Counselling degree, Cassandra works behind the scenes at Cascade while also providing in-school counselling services at a local primary school.
Passionate about supporting children, Cassandra has also begun training to become a Play Therapist and is a student member of NZCCA.
Our therapeutic approaches
Alongside traditional talk therapy, we lean on a range of different evidence-based modalities such as play therapy, sand tray, IDT and IFS.
Play Therapy
Following the child's lead
Play therapy uses play, toys, and creative activities to help children express feelings, process experiences, develop coping skills, improve relationships, and support emotional growth.
Sand Tray Therapy
Creating a world in miniature
Sand tray therapy is a therapeutic approach where clients create scenes in a tray of sand using miniature figures, expressing emotions, experiences, and inner conflicts nonverbally to support insight, healing, and growth.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Getting to know the inner world
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps people understand and heal different “parts” of themselves. By fostering self-awareness, compassion, and balance, it supports emotional healing, resilience, and healthier relationships.
Interactive Drawing Therapy (IDT)
Responding to the whole child
Interactive Drawing Theory uses shared drawing activities between therapist and client to explore emotions, relationships, communication patterns, and inner experiences, promoting insight, expression, collaboration, emotional growth, and therapeutic connection safely.
Connect with the team
You don't need to have it all figured out before reaching out.
A free 15-minute chat is a simple, no-pressure way to ask questions, share what's going on and find out if we're the right fit for your whānau.
All sessions are confidential.