Southland Help – Recovery Pathways for Survivors and Whānau
Southland Help provides specialist recovery support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse, their whānau, and the wider community.
We support women, men, rangatahi, tamariki, and people of all ages across the Southland region.
Our mission is to promote safety, healing, wellbeing, and empowerment through compassionate, trauma-informed, and holistic support services.
A Holistic Recovery Pathways Approach
At Southland Help, we recognise that healing from sexual harm is not one-size-fits-all. Recovery looks different for every individual and whānau.
Our Recovery Pathways approach moves beyond traditional counselling models to provide a wide range of therapeutic, practical, emotional, cultural, and wellbeing supports tailored to individual needs and stages of recovery.
All referrals are carefully assessed by our specialist team to identify the most appropriate pathway of support.
Our Services
Therapeutic Social Work & Sexual Violence Crisis Support
Specialist support following recent or historic sexual harm. Services may include:
- Crisis intervention and emotional support
- Safety planning
- Support for whānau
- Advocacy and referrals
- Assistance navigating systems and services
- Practical support to reduce barriers to healing
Our crisis support service operates Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Brief Intervention Counselling
Short-term therapeutic support focused on stabilisation, emotional safety, coping strategies, and early intervention following trauma or distress.
This service can help individuals begin their recovery journey while identifying longer-term support needs if required.
Sensitive Claims Service – Long-Term Care
We are an ACC Sensitive Claims supplier and provider offering specialised long-term therapeutic support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Our team supports individuals to access ACC services and navigate their healing journey in a safe, respectful, and empowering environment.
Specialist Youth Work Services
Trauma-informed youth support designed to engage and empower rangatahi through connection, mentoring, advocacy, emotional support, and practical guidance.
Services are tailored to the unique developmental and social needs of young people.
Diversional Therapy & Holistic Wellbeing Mentoring
Healing can happen in many ways, and our Diversional Therapy / Mentoring Service recognises the importance of re-engaging in ‘joy’ and ‘life’ following a traumatic event. Our task / experiential focused holistic wellbeing services support recovery through:
- Creative and expressive therapies
- Therapeutic activities
- Strength-based mentoring
- Connection and engagement
- Confidence and resilience building
- Wellbeing planning and personal growth
These services support survivors to reconnect with themselves, others, and their sense of wellbeing.
Somatic Body & Nervous System Regulation Services
Trauma is often held within the body and nervous system.
Our somatic and body-based therapies focus on restoring safety, regulation, awareness, and connection through approaches that support:
- Nervous system regulation
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Emotional grounding
- Mind-body awareness
- Recovery from overwhelm and trauma responses
Specialist Group Programmes
Southland Help offers a range of therapeutic and culturally responsive group programmes that support connection, empowerment, identity, and collective healing.
Trauma-Informed Yin Yoga
A gentle, trauma-sensitive yoga programme focused on nervous system regulation, grounding, safety, breathwork, and reconnecting with the body in a supported environment.
Mana Wahine
A strengths-based healing and empowerment programme supporting wāhine to reconnect with identity, self-worth, resilience, culture, and collective support.
Mana Tāne
A supportive programme designed for tāne to explore healing, emotional wellbeing, healthy identity, connection, and recovery in a safe and respectful environment.
Mana Rangatahi
A youth-focused programme supporting rangatahi through connection, emotional resilience, identity development, wellbeing, and safe peer engagement.
These group offerings recognise the importance of shared healing, belonging, and restoring connection through community and culturally grounded approaches.
Navigation & Advocacy Services
We help survivors and whānau navigate complex systems and processes by providing:
- Advocacy
- Referrals
- Support with housing, finance, and practical needs
- Assistance engaging with external agencies and services
- Guidance through medical, legal, and social systems
Court Support
Our specialist court support service provides tailored one-on-one assistance throughout the legal process, including:
- Education around court procedures
- Emotional support and preparation
- Accompaniment and advocacy
- Ongoing aftercare support
Medical Care & Forensic Support
We work alongside specialist medical services to support survivors through:
- Forensic medical processes
- Therapeutic medical care
- Referrals for ongoing support
- Information and guidance following recent sexual assault
Child & Family Recovery Support
We provide specialised support for tamariki and whānau impacted by sexual harm, including:
- Therapeutic support for children
- Family and caregiver support
- Parent guidance and engagement
- Strengthening safe and supportive home environments
How to Access Support
To speak with our team or make a referral:
Phone / txt: 027 468 0007
Email:
You can also submit a referral request through our website.
Southland Help is committed to walking alongside survivors and whānau with compassion, safety, dignity, and hope throughout their recovery journey.