Hey There
I work with individuals from a place of respect and at your pace. The healing process is designed together and with permission to unlock barriers that allow you to achieve your souls purpose.
A Bit About Me
I am a step-mum of 2 teens and mother of 2 preschoolers. From starting my learning journey working with children under 5 years and then to 14-25 year olds in the youth justice and the mental health systems that also includes supporting adults. I have experience working with people of all ages and in a range of challenging situations, trauma or equally for those who are stuck with what it is they want to achieve. I believe in all people and their ability to achieve a whole lot more than imagined given the right support and healthy choices. Through my previous training and most significantly through using the Havening Technique I have seen people overcome challenges in a time frame which no other technique has given the tools to see such incredible results.
I co-founded a social enterprise in 2015 called Cultivate Christchurch. This is an Urban Farming project where we grow produce using beyond organic methods and support young people who experience mental health to be employed or re-engage in education. From the age of 18 years I had a dream to start a 'Farm School' and Cultivate has developed well beyond what I had ever imagined.
I have a Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Degree in Psychology and Education and I continued my studies through becoming a practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and doing Postgraduate studies in Forensic Mental health and now a practitioner in the Havening Technique. My drive is to learn and support others to be the best version of themselves, seeing others thrive means I too am thriving and in a community of abundance.
Qualifications
University of Otago
BA Psychology and Education (2004),
Post graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health (2014)
Canterbury College of Education
National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (2000)
Life Time Learning Ltd
Practitioner in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) (2011)
Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning (2011)
The Havening Techniques® Certified Practitioner (2021)
PREKURE PK104 Mental Health and mind-body medicine (2022)
Growing the Good Stuff in Ōtautahi
Brought up on a farm in South Canterbury, where her family grew most of their own food, Fiona Stewart always had a deep fascination for the environment and a healthy respect for animals as well as a deep passion for the environment and the world around her.
After some time spent travelling overseas, Fiona returned to New Zealand where, working in partnership with Bailey Peryman, she founded Cultivate Christchurch, a farming and youth development community.
Through a grant from the Te Rourou, Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation, Fiona and Bailey were able to establish a network of urban farms atop earthquake-damaged sites in Ōtautahi to provide training and employment opportunities for Canterbury’s youth.
“Working outside with their hands in the soil is where young people feel free and safe to open up about their biggest challenges, hopes and fears,” says Fiona, “It’s where the relationships are formed and the trust is built.”
Many of the young adults Cultivate Christchurch works with were not in education, employment or training. Some had mental health issues that had held them back from connecting with others and holding down a job. With a 3 year funding commitment, the Vodafone Foundation enabled Cultivate Christchurch to grow not just fresh, healthy produce for the community, but the hearts and minds of Christchurch’s rangatahi.
Fiona emphasises that the community aspect and youth development were key to the success of the programme. “It helped give them the skills to work alongside other people because the confidence building part is so vital. It’s amazing what impact this has had on people.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Vodafone Foundation they also supported me, as a relatively young person myself. The help they gave me changed my life. And enabled me to change the lives of others,” she adds.
