

Alana
Mentor & Life Skills Coach
Kia ora!
My name is Alana and I live in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. I live with my partner and two dogs who keep me busy in my spare time.
Originally from Nelson, I have lived in Christchurch since 2014, moving here to complete a Bachelor of Social Work at Ara Institute of Technology. Since graduating, I have been employed in therapeutic intervention for complex trauma and mental health services with whanau and tamariki across Canterbury. In 2022 I went back to tertiary education and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Science, resulting in starting a business for Roller Skating coaching, workshops and events. I started skating competitively when I was 7 and felt like it was my time to give back to the sport. I have also coached a year 10 girls hockey team, and I currently play for the Avon Hockey Club.
My previous experiences have given me the ability to work alongside all types of people, whether that be age, ethnicity or gender. Both Social Work and sports coaching cross credit a skill set that requires patience, an understanding of internal stressors, the ability to communicate positively and effectively, and overall, celebrate success! I often gravitate towards and work alongside young people that live with ADHD and the comorbid diagnoses that come with having a neurodiverse brain.
I am therapeutically trained in “Sunshine Circles”, emotional regulation practices and grief group intervention program “Seasons for Change”. I have provided these groups and interventions across schools in Ōtautahi, and educated other professionals such as teachers, leadership staff and other social workers that interact with schools about the benefits of teaching emotional regulation with their classes.
One of my strengths is being able to build positive rapport with tamariki and rangatahi. I live by the motto “One team, one dream”, meaning with the right progress plan and supports in place, our rangatahi can achieve their goals and continue to make positive change.
Contact
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