Counselling

• Qualified Counsellor
• Registered Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

Romiromi & Mirimiri

• Trained with Tirohanga Wellness
• Completed Hei te Pō, Hei te Ao Wānanga with IRA ĀIO
• Completed Mirimiri & Romiromi Mauri Ora Wānanga with IRA ĀIO

Healthcare Experience

Before establishing Tūāhu Wellness, I spent more than 30 years working across the health sector, including nursing, coordination, support work, and mental health programme leadership.

This experience continues to inform my work today, bringing together practical understanding, professional knowledge, and a deep respect for the connection between mind, body, and wellbeing.

At Tūāhu Wellness, counselling services are private, which means I operate independently of Medicare rebates. My counselling sessions are 60 minutes long and priced at $110. A wonderful benefit of choosing this private pathway is that you can often be seen much sooner—offering timely, accessible support in a calm space tailored entirely around you.

When considering your options, it can be helpful to know that seeing a psychologist usually requires a GP assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. While Medicare rebates are available for psychologist appointments, the final out-of-pocket expense for a 50-minute session is typically higher than my standard $110 fee. Choosing private counselling also keeps your wellness journey completely off your formal medical record, giving you full control over your personal privacy.

If you hold private health insurance with extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate through your provider. I encourage you to check directly with your insurer, and I am always happy to provide an itemised receipt to assist with your claim.

Yes, I do. I understand that work, family, and daily commitments can make standard business hours tricky. If you need an evening or weekend session, please feel free to reach out directly so we can arrange a time that works best for you.

Please note that after-hours sessions carry a small additional fee, with pricing set at $130 – $150 depending on the day and time.

pamela@tuahuwellness.com.au

Yes. What you share in a session stays between us. I hold everything discussed with complete confidentiality, in line with the ethical standards of the Australian Counselling Association.

There are a small number of exceptions;  situations where I have a legal or ethical duty to act, such as if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else. I will explain these limits clearly before we begin so there are no surprises.

That depends entirely on you — where you are, what you are working through, and what feels sustainable. Many people start with weekly sessions to build some momentum, then move to fortnightly once things feel more settled.

There is no set number of sessions that works for everyone. We check in regularly to make sure what we are doing is still serving you well.

No. 1:1 counselling sessions are available without any programme commitment. You can book a single session, or continue with regular sessions at whatever pace suits you.

For women who want to go deeper working with both counselling and traditional Māori bodywork over a structured period — the Tūāhu Individual Journey (8 weeks) or Tūāhu Group Journey (6 weeks) offer that. But there is no pressure to commit to a programme before you are ready. The free clarity call is a good place to talk through what might suit where you are right now.

Book a Clarity Call

Counselling helps you understand your patterns where they come from, why they show up, what they mean. That understanding is valuable. But some things that have been held in the body for a long time tension, old grief, the physical weight of stress do not always shift through conversation alone.

Romiromi and Mirimiri work with the body directly. Together, the two approaches reach further than either one does on its own. That is the foundation of the Tūāhu Individual Journey.

Book a Clarity Call

Yes, 1:1 counselling sessions are available online as well as in person in Barcaldine.

The Tūāhu Group Journey and Tūāhu Individual Journey are currently in person only. The Individual Journey includes Romiromi and Mirimiri bodywork which cannot be delivered online.

Book a Clarity Call

The clarity call is a free 15-minute conversation a chance for us to talk through where you are and what you are looking for. There is no commitment required and no paperwork beforehand.

If we decide to go ahead together, I will send you some brief background questions before your first session. This helps me understand your situation so we can make the most of our time together from the very first session.

Book a Clarity Call

This work is for women who have noticed they keep ending up in the same place, same reactions, same patterns, same loops and are ready to understand why.

You do not need to be in crisis. You do not need to have done therapy before, or never done it. You just need to be curious enough about yourself to want to look a little closer, and open to the idea that the mind and body are part of the same conversation.

If you are unsure whether this is right for you, the clarity call is exactly the place to find.

Book a clarity call

Yes. While Romiromi and Mirimiri are integral components of the 8-week Reflection & Reconnection program, I offer a limited number of standalone 90-minute bodywork sessions each week. These are available for anyone curious to experience traditional Māori healing or seeking the restorative benefits of therapeutic touch.

For many clients, the true depth of this work lies in combining counselling and bodywork what surfaces in conversation can be integrated through the body, and what shifts physically can be explored in your next session. However, a standalone session is a wonderful way to experience Romiromi and Mirimiri on its own or to explore the approach before committing to a longer pathway.

You can book a standalone bodywork session directly online, or schedule a free Clarity Call if you would like to discuss whether it is the right fit for you.

Book a Bodywork Session

While both are traditional Māori bodywork practices that care for your mind (hinengaro), body (tinana), and spirit (wairua), they work at different depths:

• Mirimiri: A gentle, nurturing hands-on practice. It works with rhythm, intentional touch, and breath to soothe your nervous system, stimulate circulation, and support the flow of life force (mauri). It helps your body relax and prepares you for deeper release.

• Romiromi: A deeper, more targeted practice. It uses focused pressure on key points (haemata) using hands, elbows, or traditional wooden tools (rākau) to release deep-seated physical tension, “bracing,” and held emotional patterns.

I combine both Mirimiri and Romiromi to ensure your body feels completely supported as it lets go of deep tightness.

Book a Bodywork Session

In bodywork, cellular memory describes how your nervous system, connective tissue (fascia), and body hold onto patterns from past experiences, physical injuries, or long-term stress.

While cells don’t store thoughts like a computer, your body learns physical habits of self-protection. When you go through a period of high stress or injury, your tissues and nerve pathways learn to stay tense or guarded—sometimes long after the event has passed.

Through traditional Māori bodywork (Romiromi and Mirimiri), mindful touch, and breathwork, we help “re-educate” these tissues. This signals to your nervous system that it is safe to release those old physical habits and return to a balanced state.

Not in the traditional sense! While it shares some relaxing qualities with massage, Romiromi and Mirimiri are traditional Māori healing practices (Rongoā Māori).

Instead of just working on the surface layer of muscles to relax them, we work directly with your nervous system, energy pathways (haemata), and connective tissue (fascia). Through targeted pressure, movement, breathwork, and sometimes wooden tools (rākau) or stone (kōhatu), we release deep physical tension and clear blocked energy across your whole body—restoring balance to your mind (hinengaro), body (tinana), spirit (wairua), and life force (mauri).

In Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview), mauri is your vital life force or essence—the living spark that exists within your mind (hinengaro), body (tinana), and spirit (wairua). It is what keeps you feeling connected, vibrant, and alive.

When life becomes overwhelming due to stress, exhaustion, or major changes, your mauri can feel diminished or off-balance, leaving you feeling sluggish, physically guarded, or disconnected.

In our sessions, traditional bodywork (Romiromi and Mirimiri) and counselling work together to clear physical tension and emotional blockages. By releasing what no longer serves you, we help restore the smooth, natural flow of your mauri so you can return to a state of balance and vitality.

Your safety, privacy, and comfort are respected at every stage of your session.

Preparing & Privacy:

Before we begin, I will leave the room so you can undress in private to your level of comfort—leaving your underwear on. A clean robe is provided if you would like to use it, or you can slip straight under the sheet on the table. A basket is available for your clothing, and I will always knock before returning. Throughout the session, you remain fully draped with a sheet or towel, with only the specific area being worked on uncovered.

Cultural Protocols (Tikanga):

Each session is held with care and intention. We begin and end with karakia (a grounding blessing) and a light spray of wai-tai (blessed water) for spiritual protection and clearing. I understand that not everyone shares the same cultural background, and I hold that with deep respect. If you have any questions or concerns about these practices, I welcome an open conversation before we begin.

Your Choice & Control:

Your comfort is paramount. This session is a collaboration—if at any point something does not feel right or you need an adjustment, simply let me know. You are always in full control of your experience.

Book a Bodywork Session

Come as you are. There is no special preparation required beyond wearing comfortable, loose clothing.

It is worth avoiding a large meal or coffee in the hour before your session, as both can make it harder for your body to settle and receive the work. Also, as a small courtesy, please ensure you have clean feet; because I often work with the feet as part of the session, arriving with clean feet helps us get started with ease and comfort.

Most importantly, there is nothing you need to do, fix, or prepare emotionally beforehand. You do not need to arrive in a particular state of mind. Just show up.

Book a Bodywork Session

Pressure varies throughout your session depending on what your body needs on the day. Because Romiromi works into deep points of tension (haemata), some areas may feel intense or momentarily tender as stored tightness releases.

However, you are always in complete control. Your session is a supportive collaboration—not something that is “done to” you. If the pressure ever feels too strong or not enough, simply let me know so it can be adjusted immediately to your comfort. Slow, steady breathing (hākina and hāputa) will also help guide your body through these moments of release.

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Haemata are specific trigger points or pressure points located along the body’s energy and tissue pathways. Think of them as natural “gateways” to your nervous system.

If you are familiar with acupressure, the concept is very similar: by applying targeted pressure to these key points, we help interrupt habitual stress signals. Working these points encourages stuck energy to move and signals tight muscles to release—reaching deep tissue tension that general massage alone sometimes can’t access.

Yes, absolutely. Prior to starting, you will be asked for permission regarding areas such as your head, or if there are any specific parts of your body you prefer to leave untouched. Your personal boundaries, cultural beliefs, and comfort are always fully respected.

Breathwork is safe for most people, but it is not suitable for everyone. If you have a heart condition, a respiratory condition, epilepsy, or a diagnosed psychiatric condition, please check with your GP before participating.

Before any group experience, we ask all participants a few brief questions to make sure the session is appropriate for them. If there is any doubt, we will discuss it with you directly before the day.

Some people experience lightheadedness or tingling during breathwork this is normal and passes quickly. Others notice emotions rising to the surface. Both are common responses and are held safely within the session.

You are always in control of your own pace. If at any point something feels like too much, you can ease back you will never be pushed beyond what feels okay for you.

No. Just wear loose, comfortable clothing. Everything else is taken care of.

Use the “Enquire about hosting an immersion” button on the Host an Immersion page to get in touch. Let me know a little about your group the size, the setting, and what you are hoping people will take away. From there we can have a conversation about what might work.

Curated Wellbeing Experiences Form

Immersion experiences are available for three types of groups:

Workplaces and organisations for teams wanting something with genuine depth, not a standard team-building day.

Not-for-profit and community organisations for organisations wanting to bring a real wellbeing experience to the communities they serve.

Private groups for individuals wanting to host an experience for family, friends, or a small gathering in their own home or chosen venue.

Curated Wellbeing Experience Enquiry Form

Every immersion is shaped around the specific needs of your group, so the format varies. Generally, a session will include breathwork facilitation led by Flo₂Flow, alongside grounding practices and self-care tools that I bring from my counselling and Māori healing background.

Catering can be arranged depending on the format and length of the day this is discussed during the planning conversation.

Romiromi and Mirimiri bodywork is not included in immersion experiences.

Curated Wellbeing Experience Enquiry Form

Standard immersion experiences are capped at 16 participants. This keeps the experience intimate and allows everyone to be genuinely held within the session rather than lost in a crowd.

For larger groups, get in touch we can discuss what is possible.

Immersions are available as half-day, full-day, or two-day experiences. The right format depends on your group, your goals, and your context. We work that out together in the planning conversation there is no fixed format to commit to upfront.

Yes. Immersion experiences can be held at your location anywhere in Australia. Travel and accommodation costs are factored into the quote, which is provided after our initial conversation.

To secure your preferred dates, it is worth getting in touch at least four to six weeks ahead. That said, if you have something more urgent in mind, reach out anyway if the schedule allows, we will do our best to make it work.

Curated Wellbeing Experience Enquiry Form