Serving the Motueka community feels like a homecoming for RISE Clinician Michelle Thurlow who first came to Motueka as a 16-year-old disengaged with school.

The community really supported her as a teen, so now with her own children grown she’s returned ‘home’ to give back to the community.

Gemma was a young mum of three who struggled with her anger. Getting help at RISE for her anger was life-changing, she says. She shares her courageous journey.

One of RISE’s strengths is that it can work with a whole family – parents and children - to support safer homes and foster intergenerational change.

RISE Clinicians are adept at understanding what a family needs and realise that for change to happen sometimes the whole family unit might need help and support.

RISE has been awarded a contract to run 30 workshops to MSD staff throughout New Zealand.

Senior Clinician/Practice Lead Joelene Whitfield will help run the four-hour long workshops around New Zealand.

RISE clinician Lara Buswell is sharing her specialist knowledge teaching a paper on Family Violence to social work and counselling students at NMIT/Te Pukenga.

“When I look back now, the signs are so clear. Even from our very first conversation.”

RISE’s Motueka office has a “homey feeling” that can play a role in helping clients feel safe and open to change.

Ever thought about why we lose control or lose our temper? Learn about the red/green brain concept and understanding stress response.

Why we have needed to use a waitlist for new adult and child clients and what we're doing to shorten it.

Joelene Whitfield recently celebrated 15 years working at RISE. Recently we sat down and asked her to reflect on her career. She talked about memorable clients, why she continues to do this important work every day, and a text she recently received that filled her with hope.

Becoming a family violence specialist means walking a long and windy path. RISE’s Kimberley is on that path now. Read about her experience starting with RISE and learning how to work with people who use violence.

Anna talks about her experience using violence against her partner. “I didn’t want to be the human being I had been anymore. I grew up around anger and I was on the receiving end of physical abuse when I grew up. I thought it was normal.”

What happens first with new victims of family violence at RISE? Let’s have one of our clinicians, Lara Buswell, talk through the process.

Stresses and crises cripple a couple who live and work together

One woman’s 14-year story

Hear from some of the women who have experienced significant distress who have made a journey back to themselves and safety.

For half of Leanne Fletcher’s life, she has been dealing with an abusive partner. At 32, she is successful in work and life, even though she is still healing from the abuse she suffered all those years ago. She shares her story.

Women who finished our SAFE programme share their thoughts from exit interviews.

Women who are or have been affected by violence and/or abuse and who are significantly traumatised share their thoughts after finishing our counselling programme.