About Us

FAMILY ACTION IS A REGISTERED CHARITY

Family Action was formed in 2012 following a 2 year collaboration project between Waitakere Abuse and Trauma Counselling Service (WATCS) and Western Refuge. This amalgamation brought together two agencies with a wealth of experience in caring for people who have experienced trauma, family violence and sexual violence.

In 2016 Changeworks was incorporated into the agency and added a skill base which focuses on young people and creating long term positive relationships. It’s programmes were created by Steve Deakin and Rob Hepworth and established work in local schools and youth justice.

Counselling

Family Action provides counselling for those affected by family and sexual violence, abuse, or trauma. You and your family’s needs are our primary concern. We have an open referrals system. You are welcome to call our client liaison staff, who can discuss your needs with you. We offer :

• Counselling
• Expressive therapies
• Family work
• Ministry of Justice Funded Family Violence Programmes
• Crisis Support
• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Child Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Groups
• ACC Sensitive Claims Counselling (in the West Auckland, North Shore, Central Auckland and Waiheke areas)

We offer groups for women who wish to move away from the cycle of violence, “Women in Action – Wahine Toa” , for youth and children who have experience or witnessed abuse, “Youth in Action – Rangatahi Toa” and “Children in Action – Tamariki Toa”.

We offer a safe, confidential and empowering service. Our professional team are all qualified counsellors, psychotherapists, art therapists and psychologists. We have contracts with ACC, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki. These contracts enable us to offer our services at little to no cost to our clients.

Family Violence Outreach Service

Family Action Family Violence Outreach Service and Refuge supports all people in crisis who are experiencing family violence. Family Action provides a caring and confidential place where you can talk about issues in your relationship and the violence or abuse that you are experience or have experienced. No appointment needed.

Your needs and wishes will always be respected by us. The care and safety of you and your children is our priority.

We can provide:

• A safe place where you can explore your options
• Refuge (also for those outside of West Auckland)
• Safety plans and options
• Crisis counselling and intervention services
• Information about protection and custody issues
• Support with your Victim Impact Statement
• Court advocacy
• Referral to relevant services
• Ongoing support
• Telephone support and advice

Our clinical team of staff are made up of qualified and experienced social workers, counselling psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and art therapists. They are skilled in working to help adults, youth, children and families who have experienced trauma, family or sexual violence. They are ably assisted by our administration team and client triage manager who help our clients access the right services and welcome them into the agency.

Our CEO-Michelle has 30 years’ experience in the health and social service sector as a practitioner and in management.

She is passionate about making sure that our community gets the very best service and are able to make the most of opportunities that become available to gain healthy rewarding and safe lives.  Family Action encourages people, children, families and young people to achieve their potential and Michelle is proud to be a part of that work.

The agency is supported by an experienced and passionate governance board. Their role is to ensure that the charity complies with all of its legal and regulatory requirements and that the charities governance is of the highest possible standard.  The committee includes a mix of community stakeholders and talented professionals.  Chair – Linda Cooper,  Secretary – Kathryn Lawlor, Hinemoa Key, Rachel Morriss-Jarvis, Rachael Chandra and Tevita Funaki.