Kōwhai Therapeutic Services
Join the Team
Join the Team at Kōwhai Therapeutic Services
Discover a workplace where authenticity, growth, and collaboration thrive.
At Kōwhai Therapeutic Services, we pride ourselves on a friendly, supportive culture that feels like family. Our mission is to support people’s well-being and foster a culture of support and psychological safety and that includes our own team.
Whether you’re a student counsellor, an experienced professional, an organisational whizz in admin, or simply curious about a career in mental health, Team Kōwhai has a place for you.
Below, explore our opportunities for Placement Counsellors, Employment (Counselling & Admin staff), and Interns. Come join Team Kōwhai!
Placement Counsellor Opportunities (Student Placements)
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Are you a counselling student looking for an exceptional placement to kick-start your career? Our Trainee Counsellor Placement Programme is designed to give you hands-on experience in a private practice setting, while being fully supported by our team. It runs annually from February to October and applications are now open for the 2026 intake!
Our placement programme empowers future counsellors with practical skills, confidence, and real client experience. It’s the perfect opportunity if you envision one day running your own counselling practice
As a placement counsellor at Kōwhai, you will:
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Build your client skills
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Learn the ins and outs of private practice
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Develop a portfolio project to explore your Niche
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Have monthly training workshops
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Have specialisation opportunities
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Receive constant support & supervision
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Work in an environment with ethical, transparent practices
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Be a part of Team Kōwhai
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2026 Programme & Training Day:
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Our 2026 Counsellor Placement Programme is gearing up to start in February 2026, and we’re currently recruiting the next group of talented students. As part of the selection, we’ve created a unique Training Day that doubles as an interview (we promise, it’s actually fun!).
Basically, you’ll spend a day with us participating in some interactive training exercises, learning a few basic counselling-in-practice skills and getting a feel for how we work. It’s a two-way street: you get to understand our team culture and see if Kōwhai is the right fit for you, and we get to see your passion and potential in action. By the end of the day, you’ll have gained new skills and met the team, regardless of the outcome. It’s our way of making the interview process more engaging and less intimidating for everyone.
Ready to start your counselling journey with us? We’d love to hear from you! We regularly host placement students and provide real-world learning opportunities with plenty of support. To apply for the 2026 intake please follow this link to book your spot, or to ask any questions, just get in touch with us email to office@kowhaitherapeuticservices.com, and we’ll guide you through the next steps (application info, dates, etc.).
Employment Opportunities (Counselling & Admin Staff)
Already qualified or bringing other professional skills? Kōwhai Therapeutic Services is growing, and we’re always on the lookout for passionate counsellors and capable admin staff to join our whānau. We believe a great team is the heart of great client care. When you work with us, you’ll experience a workplace that’s supportive, flexible, and constantly learning, not to mention a bunch of genuinely caring colleagues.
Counselling Positions: Whether you’re an experienced therapist or a newly qualified counsellor, we invite you to consider Kōwhai. We’re always open to expressions of interest from dedicated counsellors who resonate with our value. In fact, supporting new graduates is something we take pride in, we offer structured support, peer supervision, and mentoring to help you find your feet as a professional.
Joining Kōwhai as a counsellor means:
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You’ll work with a diverse client base (individuals, couples, families) with the option to focus on areas of interest or develop new skills along the way.
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You’ll be part of a team that has your back. Stuck on a case? Need advice or just a debrief? Our counsellors regularly consult with each other and our senior staff. We nurture a humble, no-ego environment where everyone keeps learning.
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Professional development is built into our culture. You can participate in our in-house trainings (like those we run for students) and access external workshops. We love when our staff bring back new ideas to share!
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We genuinely care about work-life balance. Burnout is no good to anyone. Expect a manager who checks in that you’re not overloaded, flexibility when life throws curveballs, and an atmosphere where taking a mental health day is totally OK. We practice what we preach about wellness.
Admin & Support Roles: Our administrative team is the glue that holds everything together, from answering client enquiries and scheduling, to keeping the office running smoothly. If you have excellent organisational skills, a warm personality, and an interest in mental health, an admin role with us could be incredibly rewarding. You’d be welcomed as a core member of Team Kōwhai, working closely with our counsellors and management. In return for your hard work, we offer a supportive workplace where your contributions are valued (and we promise, you’ll never be “just a number” to us!). It’s a great environment to learn about the mental health field and make a difference behind the scenes.
Flexible Employment Models: We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to work arrangements. At Kōwhai, we’re open to different employment models for counsellors to suit your lifestyle and career stage.
This could mean:
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Contracting: Join us as a contractor and enjoy the autonomy of being your own boss, while still being part of our team. We provide the referrals and infrastructure; you bring your counselling expertise. This model offers flexibility in scheduling and caseload – perfect if you have other commitments or are building up a private practice.
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Casual Positions: If you’re looking to contribute on a part-time or on-call basis, a casual role might be ideal. You can pick up clients or projects as needed, without a fixed schedule. Many of our team who have young families or other jobs appreciate the option of casual work to keep their counselling skills active in a manageable way.
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Part-Time or Full-Time Employment: We also hire counsellors as regular staff, either part-time or full-time. As an employee, you’ll have a consistent schedule and client load, with all the stability and benefits that come with an employed position. You’ll be very much a central part of our service, involved in initiatives and the broader development of Kōwhai.
No matter the arrangement, you are equally a member of Team Kōwhai. We ensure all our counsellors, whether contract or staff, feel included in team activities, communications, and decision-making. Flexibility works both ways, we get to adapt to what works for you, and you get to enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
Why Work With Us? Aside from the flexibility and supportive culture, working at Kōwhai Therapeutic Services means making real impact every day. Our team often says that the best part of working here is the culture, we’re positive, values-driven, and a bit of a whānau (family).
We also value innovation: have an idea to improve a process or start a community initiative? Let’s do it! We take great pride in what we’ve achieved so far and are excited to bring in new team members to grow with us.
If you’re a counsellor or admin professional who wants to work in a place that truly lives its values (Authenticity, Collaboration, Growth, and more), we want to hear from you. Please reach out to us at office@kowhaitherapeuticservices.com to express your interest or to ask about current openings. Even if we’re not advertising a specific role, we’re happy to talk – we’re always open to talented, passionate people joining our cause.