Nelida Pennington Counselling – IFS Counselling and Supervision

Kia ora!

You are so welcome here.

As a certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, I am privileged to join people in their journeys of reconnecting with the inner resource we all have.

Feel free to wander around my website to get a sense of how I work.

Nelida

About Nelida

Mental wellbeing has been a curiosity for me since early adulthood. Professionally, I have worked in this field for almost 30 years, formerly as a registered nurse. Latterly, this included clinical management and quality assurance, before being introduced to the beautiful counselling modality of Internal Family Systems (IFS).

IFS brings a compassionate and holistic way of understanding all people and their internal systems of many parts. This includes being able to appreciate and understand our behaviour and pain by considering our life stories and context.

Having a diagnosis of ADHD only a few years ago means I bring a neuro-informed and affirming way of working with differences.

In my spare time, my ADHD brain juggles numerous arty projects at once. Walking in open spaces with my partner and rascally miniature schnauzers, movies, live comedy, and quality time with whānau are what fill me.

IFS Counselling | Supervision

Media

I’m excited to share this interview I did with Katie Jolly, where we explore two topics I’m passionate about: IFS and the lived experience of ADHD women.

In this conversation, I talk about my own journey, insights from my Master’s research on women with ADHD, and how IFS offers a powerful, compassionate approach to understanding our internal world.

The conversation includes:

What IFS is and why it felt like “a whole new world” after decades in the mental health sector
How ADHD often shows up in women, especially the patterns of masking, shame, and feeling “not good enough”
The unique way IFS helps us relate to our inner parts, especially those shaped by trauma or self-blame
The overlap between ADHD, autism, and trauma—and why a non-pathologising approach matters
Tips, tools, and encouragement for women navigating ADHD with self-compassion

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Media

I’m excited to share this interview I did with Katie Jolly, where we explore two topics I’m passionate about: IFS and the lived experience of ADHD women.

In this conversation, I talk about my own journey, insights from my Master’s research on women with ADHD, and how IFS offers a powerful, compassionate approach to understanding our internal world.

The conversation includes:

What IFS is and why it felt like “a whole new world” after decades in the mental health sector
How ADHD often shows up in women, especially the patterns of masking, shame, and feeling “not good enough”
The unique way IFS helps us relate to our inner parts, especially those shaped by trauma or self-blame
The overlap between ADHD, autism, and trauma—and why a non-pathologising approach matters
Tips, tools, and encouragement for women navigating ADHD with self-compassion

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Upcoming

I’m beyond thrilled to invite you to a special three-day IFS workshop in Ōtautahi Christchurch, alongside my dear colleague Karen Harrington. This workshop will be practical and informative. This will be a warm and supportive space to learn and grow together. Spaces are limited—email me at nel@ifs.nz to find out more.

Click the image to download a PDF of the poster.

Phone

(+64) 27 364 3664

nel@ifs.nz