Tom Atkinson

Wellbeing

I believe life is about balance. Working hard, prioritising family, looking after your wellbeing, and enjoying the simple things. I bring this same approach to my work as a fully registered Alcohol and Drug Practitioner with nearly a decade of experience supporting people with alcohol and drug use, anxiety, low mood, and complex life challenges.

Hi, I'm Tom

You’ll often find me running the trails of Whakarewarewa Forest in my home town, Rotorua. If I'm not there, I'm discovering new cafes, or simply enjoying time with friends and family. I'm a husband and a father to a lively five-year-old daughter. I practice balance in life through exercise, quality time with family, and making space for rest, curiosity, and laughter.

You'll find I'm a guy who values some of the simplest pleasures in life - a meaningful conversation, a well-cooked meal, a decent coffee, or simply the sun on my face. I bring that same appreciation for the small, grounding things into my work, helping people navigate life’s challenges with a real down-to-earth approach.

Discover the joy of meaningful change

Life-changing moments often come quietly, in small shifts - like finding your rhythm on a trail run, savouring a simple morning coffee, or noticing the little wins that can easily go unnoticed. I bring that same grounded, down-to-earth approach to recovery: helping you untangle what’s weighing you down, explore what truly matters, and take practical steps toward meaningful change.

Together, we’ll focus on building patterns and strategies that stick, celebrating progress along the way, and finding a sense of balance that makes life feel a little lighter - one step at a time.

What I can help with

Drug and Alcohol Support

General Life Stresses

Clinical Supervision

What my clients say about me

"Working with Tom feels refreshingly real. He has this way of making even tough conversations feel grounded and manageable, and you can tell he genuinely values the small, meaningful moments in life. Whether it’s a laugh, a thoughtful insight, or just helping you see things clearly. I always leave our sessions feeling lighter, more focused, and ready to take the next step forward."

“I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, I was in a pretty dark place. But sessions with Tom finally felt like I was talking to someone who actually gets it. He listens, keeps it real, and somehow makes the hard stuff feel a bit lighter. I left our first session feeling like I could make sense of things I couldn’t work out on my own, and that’s been worth more than I expected.”

What to expect in a consultation

Sessions are warm, grounded, and straightforward, with a pace guided by what feels right for you. I value honesty and real progress - taking time to acknowledge the wins, explore challenges thoughtfully, and offer perspective when it’s helpful (and sometimes a bit of well-placed humour too).

Most people leave sessions feeling clearer and lighter, with practical steps they can use straight away.

Sessions run for 50-60 minutes ($160) , with most clients choose to engage for six or more sessions (package cost $820), as meaningful and sustainable change often develops over time.