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ABACUS, a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) provider of services, a nation-wide provider of Professional Supervision for the workplace.
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Introducing ABACUS

Alison Penfold
Director
M.HSc (Auckland), PG Dip SSS, PG Dip HSc, PGCPC, BSW, Reg. Social Worker, MANZASW, DAPAANZ

Alison is a social worker who has worked in counselling and management positions in the addictions field in New Zealand and the UK, over the past 34 years. She has also trained in supervision, individual and group psychotherapy, and has a particular interest in the development of Professional Supervision in organisations. Alison’s role in ABACUS is HR and contract management, as well as supervision, and training throughout New Zealand.

Mary Anne Cooke
Director
MSW, BA, Dip. Addiction Studies, MANZASW

Mary Anne has academic training in clinical social work at a Masters level and specialises in treatment, management, clinical/professional supervision, training and research for addiction based issues. Her work expertise originates from Canada and she regularly presents nationally and internationally on project work

Mike Goulding
Director
M.HSc (Otago), RPN, PG Dip HSc, CCPC, Cert. Addictions, DAPAANZ

Originally a trained psychiatric nurse, Mike has counselled, managed and trained in addictions since 1985. With interests in clinical supervision, violence and de-escalation issues, he has applied these to his work with practitioners and in training situations. As training manager for ABACUS, Mike is responsible for development of training programmes, and assists in training throughout Aotearoa.

Dr. Sean Sullivan
Director
PhD (University of Auckland), MA (Hons), LLB, DipSocSci, Registered Psychologist, MNZPsS, DAPAANZ

Sean is a registered psychologist who has specialised in the field of problem gambling. His doctorate from General Practice at the School of Medicine, University of Auckland, included the development of the EIGHT gambling screen. His interests include research, although he maintains a counselling caseload addressing anxiety, depression, and a range of addictions.

Keryn Lovie-Tyler
Training Co-ordinator
Dip Counselling-CBT (MIT), BA Psychology (Massey), Cert Supervision, Cert Sandplay Therapy, Triple P Practitioner, NZAC

Keryn is a counsellor and supervisor who currently splits her time between her own practice and a number of ABACUS supervision contracts. She works Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays at the ABACUS office co-ordinating our training programmes. Keryn and Paul are the first point of contact at ABACUS.

Paul Luker
Communications & Contract Support

Paul has a background in Print, Web Design, IT, and the Arts. He is responsible for the design of ABACUS resources, including the development and maintenance of our web sites, he is also responsible for overseeing our nationwide ACC Professional Supervision Contract. Paul and Keryn are the first point of contact at ABACUS.

Pam Armstrong
Projects Consultant
NgatiWai, Ngati Whatua, Ngapuhi

Pam has been involved in the Addictions and Mental Health sectors for over 15 years and during this time has worked for Iwi services, NGO’s, DHB’s and tertiary institutions in a variety of roles including practitioner, educator, manager and project leader. She has a passion for workforce development including Maori leadership in the sector.

ABACUS provides extensive experience in specialist addictions counselling, professional supervision, management and lecturing in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Serving individuals & teams in the public & private sectors – we are dedicated to providing outcome research for all training & interventions, maintaining a close association with New Zealand Universities & Polytechs to support this goal.

Our Values

  • Ethical practices
  • Confidentiality
  • Innovation
  • Responsiveness
  • Accountability
  • Proven outcomes

Offering evidence-based solutions for

  • Workplace stress
  • Personal problems
  • Addiction issues - Alcohol / Drugs, Gambling, Smoking, Shopping / Spending
  • Computer related addiction - Internet, Pornography, Video games

Through

  • Counselling / Supervision
  • Training / Facilitation
  • Consultation / Coaching
  • Research

 We Offer

  • Management training to - Identify potential problems
  • Assist vulnerable employees
  • Programmes to raise awareness of - Anxiety & other stress in the workplace
  • Problematic behaviours
  • Confidential, supportive clinical interventions for individuals

 Benefiting your organisation by

  • Demonstrating employer care & consideration
  • Enhancing organisational well-being
  • Improving morale
  • Increasing efficiency
  • Reducing absenteeism & staff turnover
  • Reducing workplace conflict
  • Freeing management to pursue organisational goals