Saijel Dheda, ACA

Saijel Dheda is a Registered Counselling Therapist who brings a calm, informed presence to work with families, teenagers, individuals and couples. She trained at the University of Auckland and holds a Master’s degree in Counselling, with focused training in trauma-informed practice, family therapy, and cross-cultural counselling. Saijel’s clinical work pays close attention to identity, migration, colonisation and intergenerational trauma, and she has worked with people from diverse cultural backgrounds across New Zealand and Australia.

Her practice includes support for parenting challenges, domestic violence recovery, anxiety, LGBTQ concerns, adolescence and child-related issues, depression, low self-esteem, women’s issues and complex childhood trauma. Saijel also addresses relational and family topics such as attachment, blended family dynamics, communication and codependency, along with caregiver stress and compassion fatigue.

She holds ACA as a professional counselling credential and a Master’s degree in Counselling that included robust clinical training. Past clients have noted her ability to build rapport, her relatability and her genuine empathy. Saijel aims to be reliable and present in sessions, offering the steady support clients seek and creating a non-judgemental space where people can explore their experiences and find practical ways forward.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Saijel uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the client’s experience guides the work. This approach emphasizes listening, empathy and collaboration, and it is often helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem and life transitions.

She also incorporates mindfulness therapy, which draws on present-focused awareness and grounding techniques. Mindfulness can be useful for managing anxiety, stress and emotional overwhelm by helping people notice thoughts and sensations without getting caught up in them.

Finding the right approach is part of the process and Saijel works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals and preferences. She adapts methods over time and invites clients to give feedback so therapy aligns with their pace and priorities.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexible options to suit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals and therapists from home or work, reduce travel time and support consistent engagement with therapy.