Professional, effective and convenient counselling from a qualified counsellor with extensive experience.
Working alongside you to explore your challenges and create meaningful change.
Confidential & Supportive Environment
A safe and respectful space to talk openly and honestly.
Support for Individuals & Couples
Counselling tailored to your circumstances.
Flexible Online Sessions
Convenient sessions, wherever you are located.
Evidence-Based Counselling
Grounded in research and designed to work for your life.
Counselling tailored to your unique situation
Life can be overwhelming at times. Whether you're navigating relationship difficulties, mental health concerns, addiction, grief, or change, Counselling Connections offers caring, professional support and practical tools to help you find your way forward. Virginia offers support in the following areas.
Individual Counselling
Couples Counselling
Alcohol & Other Drug Assessments
Addictions
Workplace Stress
Depression & Low Mood
Anger
Chronic Illness
Stress & Anxiety
Burnout
Grief & Loss
Relationship Difficulties
Low Self-Esteem or Confidence
Gender/Sexual Identity
Bipolar Disorder
ABOUT DR VIRGINIA MASKILL
A personalised, authentic approach so you feel heard and receive solutions that meet your unique needs.
I am a Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, Alcohol and Drug Assessor, Registered Nurse, and Health and Wellbeing Educator.
In my counselling practice, I support individuals and couples through life’s challenges, drawing on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each person’s unique circumstances. I aim to provide a calm, confidential space where people feel heard, understood, and supported as they work towards making positive changes.
I also provide professional supervision to individuals working in a variety of workplaces. This includes health professionals working across a range of health-related settings, including counselling and medicine.
I specialise in completing alcohol and other drug assessments for individuals who are concerned about their substance use, as well as assessments requested by the courts for pre-sentencing purposes. Reports consider each person’s situation and offer practical, useful treatment recommendations.
For nearly thirty years, I have specialised in completing comprehensive evidence-based alcohol and other drug assessment reports for the New Zealand Courts, including individuals who are concerned about their substance use, and in offering support to address their use. The assessment considers all aspects of the person’s life, including how various factors may have influenced their substance use. For the Courts, these assessments allow Judges to make well-informed sentencing decisions and identify ways for the person to receive the necessary treatment and support.
Academic Qualifications
PhD (Medical Sociology), University of Otago
Masters in Health Sciences (Mental Health), University of Otago
Post-graduate Diploma in Health Sciences with distinction (endorsed in Interpersonal Psychotherapy), University of Otago
Post-graduate Diploma in Health Sciences with distinction (endorsed in Addictions & Co-existing Disorders), University of Otago
Bachelor of Nursing, Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology
Professional Registrations
Registered Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor: New Zealand Association of Counsellors
Registered Practitioner and Clinical Supervisor: Drug and Alcohol Practitioners of Aoteoroa New Zealand
Registered Nurse, Nursing Council of New Zealand
A supportive, collaborative counselling process
Step OneChoose a Time
Booking an appointment is easy, just click on the “Book an Appointment” box. You can do this from anywhere, anytime using any device with internet access.
Step TwoInitial Session
A chance to share your situation, concerns, and goals in a safe, confidential space — and explore what working together might look like.
Step ThreeOngoing Support
Work through the challenges you are experiencing at a pace that feels comfortable to you. Together, identify strategies aimed at helping you to make meaningful progress to achieving your goals.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Fees
Free consultation
15 mins | $0
Individual session
50 mins | $150
Couples session
50 mins | $150
All pricing excludes gst
Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment:
Please email me at counsellingconnectionsnz@outlook.com to request a quote. I generally respond within 24 hours or less. You can also phone me directly on +64 21 656 266.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
A place to feel heard
“Virginia listens without judgement and helps you see things differently. I came in overwhelmed and left with a real sense of direction”
— ANONYMOUS, (CLIENT)
“Practical, warm, and completely non-judgmental. Virginia helped me navigate one of the hardest periods of my life.”
— ANONYMOUS, (CLIENT)
“From the first session, Virginia made me feel completely at ease.”
— ANONYMOUS, (CLIENT)
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
You don’t have to navigate things alone
Take the next step toward better health and wellbeing in a safe, confidential, and fully supportive environment.
Prefer to talk first? Get in touch before making an appointment.
counsellingconnectionsnz@outlook.com
+64 21 656 266
Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with all the details you need for our online session.
Life can be unpredictable, so if you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know as soon as possible. To avoid any confusion, please take a moment to read the Cancellation Policy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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I work with individuals aged 18 years and over, including couples.
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No referral is required. You are welcome to book directly at any time.
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Yes. Counselling sessions are confidential and conducted in a safe, respectful environment. Any limits to confidentiality will be explained clearly during your first appointment.
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The first session is an opportunity to talk about what has brought you to counselling and what support you are looking for. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with time to ask questions and discuss how we might work together.
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My approach is flexible and draws on evidence-based therapies that will be most helpful for your situation. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and mindfulness-based therapies.
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Booking an appointment is easy, just click on the “Book an Appointment” box. You can do this from anywhere, anytime using any device with internet access. You will be directed to online booking site Calendly. If you have questions before booking, you are welcome to get in touch via email or phone.
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I understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please do so through the online booking system at least 48 hours in advance. This helps me keep sessions available for others who may need them. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice or failure to attend our appointment without notifying me, unless previously discussed, will be eligible for a 25% refund. If I cannot attend our appointment, you will be reimbursed. Thank you for your understanding.