I am a counsellor with a background in education and a PhD in Psychology, with work experience and qualifications from Aotearoa New Zealand and Europe. Reflective, insightful, and compassionate, I combine a general interest in supporting personal development across the lifespan with a more specific interest in helping neurodivergent adults, young people, and their families. I am a Provisional Member of NZAC since December 2024 and aim to continue working as a counsellor while remaining active in education. A strong writer with several publications, I am also interested in research and writing projects.

Alan Law

I am a counsellor with a background in education and a PhD in Psychology, with work experience and qualifications from Aotearoa New Zealand and Europe. Reflective, insightful, and compassionate, I combine a general interest in supporting personal development across the lifespan with a more specific interest in helping neurodivergent adults, young people, and their families. I am a Provisional Member of NZAC since December 2024 and aim to continue working as a counsellor while remaining active in education. A strong writer with several publications, I am also interested in research and writing projects.

Available to hire

I am a counsellor with a background in education and a PhD in Psychology, with work experience and qualifications from Aotearoa New Zealand and Europe. Reflective, insightful, and compassionate, I combine a general interest in supporting personal development across the lifespan with a more specific interest in helping neurodivergent adults, young people, and their families.

I am a Provisional Member of NZAC since December 2024 and aim to continue working as a counsellor while remaining active in education. A strong writer with several publications, I am also interested in research and writing projects.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Beginner
German
Beginner
Japanese
Beginner
Italian
Beginner
Czech
Beginner
Māori
Beginner

Work Experience

Senior Tutor at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University
April 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Teach and support online, distance courses in Culture and Counselling and Guidance in Education; run additional drop-in sessions; mark student work; revise materials, assignment briefs and rubrics to improve accessibility, especially for neurodivergent students.
Counsellor at Respect (formerly North Harbour Living Without Violence)
February 1, 2023 - Present
Provide person-centred counselling drawing mainly on Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Non-Violent Communication; support wellbeing, personal growth, anger management, values work, and goal setting; offered 1-1 sessions and group work.
Associate Tutor and Subject Matter Expert at University of Essex Online
February 1, 2018 - Present
Tutor and quality checker for online modules (Mental Health, Stress and Wellbeing, Personality and Intelligence, Psychological Development through the Lifespan, Fundamentals of Effective Learning in Psychology); conduct 1-1 sessions; mentor new tutors; contribute to course development and review for an MSc module (Psychology Skills and Employability).
Volunteer Crisis Counsellor at Shout UK
May 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Provide crisis counselling via text; complete 25 hours of training; regular shifts 2-4 hours per week with supervision; work focused on teenagers and young adults in distress.
Contracted Writer at Thinkladder
March 1, 2018 - Present
Wrote content in collaboration with counsellors and psychologists; created a series of blog posts and an information page about mental health and neuroscience.
Online Teacher at Pamoja Education
September 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
RAN live classes for IB students; collaborated with other teachers; marked student assignments.
Senior Tutor & Teacher of Psychology at The English College in Prague
September 1, 2004 - August 31, 2012
Taught IB Diploma Psychology and IGCSE History; planned, assessed, and led pastoral care; supervised a team of teachers; acted as Deputy Headmaster for one term; lead author for the first Pearson Baccalaureate Psychology textbook.
Operations Manager and Course Director at Discovery Summer UK
June 1, 2003 - August 31, 2010
Managed day-to-day operations across multiple language centres in England; trained Course Directors; conducted mock inspections; designed professional development plans; performed senior staff appraisals.
ESL/EFL Teacher at Various employers in Auckland and 5 European cities
May 1, 1998 - August 31, 2004
Planned and taught group, 1-1, and intensive courses for general, business, and academic English; taught learners aged 9 to 90+

Education

Master of Counselling Studies at Massey University
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) at Massey University
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Certificate of Proficiency (Psych. Theory & Practice; Therapeutic Theories & Skills) at AUT University
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
PhD (Lifespan Psychology) at Jacobs University Bremen
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
MSc Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
CELTA English Language Teaching at Auckland Language Centre
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
PGDSc (Psychology) at University of Auckland
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1997
BA (Psychology) at University of Auckland
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996
Master of Counselling Studies at Massey University
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2024
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) at Massey University
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2022
Certificate of Proficiency (Psych. Theory & Practice; Therapeutic Theories & Skills) at AUT University
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2020
PhD (Lifespan Psychology) at Jacobs University Bremen
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2018
MSc Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2008
CELTA English Language Teaching at Auckland Language Centre
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 1998
PGDSc (Psychology) at University of Auckland
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 1997
BA (Psychology) at University of Auckland
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 1996

Qualifications

NZAC Provisional Membership
December 1, 2024 - January 27, 2026
Applying Te Tiriti in Education
February 1, 2025 - January 27, 2026
Single Session Therapy (ONEPlus)
October 1, 2024 - January 27, 2026
Introduction to Emotional CPR (eCPR) / eCPR Practitioner Certification Training
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Mindfulness Facilitator Certification
March 1, 2021 - May 31, 2021
Psychological First Aid: Supporting children and young people
March 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021
Understanding ADHD: Current Research & Practice
February 1, 2021 - February 28, 2021
P2P Introduction to ADHD (Parents and Families)
February 1, 2021 - February 28, 2021
Personal Development and Basic Youth Counselling (Fast Track)
May 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020
ACT for Beginners
March 1, 2020 - May 31, 2020
NZAC Provisional Member
December 2, 2024 - January 27, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment