Get free counselling

Remember, there’s no pressure and no shame in asking for help. Choose the counsellor who makes you feel comfortable and supported.

1. Choose Your Counsellor
‍Browse counsellor profiles right here on the Gumboot Friday platform.
You can choose up to 3 people you’d be happy to talk to. All are qualified and experienced. Read their bios to see who feels like a good fit.
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When you’re ready, send a short message to introduce yourself.

‍2. Reach Out and Hear Back
‍After you send your message, your 1^st choice will receive it first.
If you’ve chosen more than one counsellor, your message will then be shared with your second and third choices. Each counsellor you’ve selected may get in touch to talk about availability.

This gives you the best chance of finding someone who’s available and the right fit for you.

‍3. Pick Who Feels Right
‍There’s no pressure to choose one over another — you decide who feels right for you.
When you find the counsellor who feels like the right fit, both you and the practitioner confirm that you’d like to go ahead and schedule an appointment.

All for free — Gumboot Friday covers the cost.

Remember, when it comes to your emotional wellbeing, you're allowed to be fussy.

Think about what matters most to you

• Do you feel more comfortable speaking with someone of the same, or a similar, gender?
• If you speak more than one language, you might find it helpful to choose a counsellor who can communicate in the same language.
• Would you prefer someone who understands your spiritual or cultural background?
• Does their profile show experience with the kinds of things you’d like support for — like stress, relationships, or anxiety?
• Do you prefer someone who listens quietly and helps you reflect, or someone who’s more direct and gives practical guidance?

‍Read their profile
‍On the Gumboot Friday platform, each practitioner’s profile includes information about their background, approach, and areas of specialisation.

‍No pressure
‍You can message up to three counsellors before deciding. Once you’ve found someone who feels like a good fit, you can book your first session.
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It’s okay to change your mind. You and the counsellors you interact with are only human, and not everyone will have perfect chemistry. If you don’t feel comfortable with the counsellor you first see, you don’t have to keep going to them. Find someone who suits you and who you want on your team.

You want to pick someone you think you'll be comfortable talking about pretty much anything with and who will work with you in a style that works best for you.

Anyone in New Zealand who is 25 years of age or under can access free counselling through the Gumboot Friday platform.

Once you’ve chosen your counsellor through the Gumboot Friday platform and confirmed your session, we’ll take care of the payment directly — no forms, no stress.

We fund one counselling session a week per client from an initial TWO session allocation. The Gumboot Funds are not intended as long term funding solutions. Depending on circumstances, our counsellors can request additional sessions for clients in need.

The Gumboot Friday counselling funding service is designed to take the pressure off current services and give young people facing long wait times an alternative pathway. It is not a long-term solution designed to take over from government services, rather, it should be seen as a bridge between current services and immediate need. Everyone is encouraged to seek government funded help while utilising our service.

We encourage counsellors to work on their client's urgent need, until their client can get the district health board services they need.

We do reserve the right to audit any financial records relating to Gumboot Friday payments for counselling services, should we feel the need arise or if we see any unusual invoicing patterns. Clinical records will remain confidential between patient and practitioner.

Fantastic, you may still be eligible for funding. If your counsellor isn’t already on the Gumboot Friday platform, they can still apply to become one, just ask them to contact us here.