Every journey of change begins with a single decision.
Namaste, Jambo, Kia ora, Hi.
I’m Abha Dod.
My roots are in India, I was born in Kenya, and primarily raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand, where I now reside.
Along with lived experience of trauma recovery, I hold a master’s in applied community psychology. Over the past 10 years, I have worked in mainstream youth mental health systems - in clinics, schools, and residential care homes. I have also contributed to a variety of community initiatives including domestic violence prevention, values-based school holiday programmes, mental health intit and sustainable living projects.
In 2024, my personal and professional experiences led me to private practice - focusing on trauma recovery and providing one-on-one sessions, psychoeducation, and integrative group experiences.
My offerings are a complementary, holistic alternative to conventional trauma support - recognising the intelligence of the body, the importance of context and meaning, and the wisdom held in lived experience. I support healing through awareness, integration, and connection, rather than relying solely on diagnosis or medication.
When I’m not immersed in my work, I focus on my own wellbeing — enjoying creativity, time in nature, and laughter with loved ones. I’m learning to grow food, love experimenting in the kitchen, and value solitude, movement, and time with furry friends.
Having moved through several difficult chapters in my life, I’ve come to genuinely appreciate life in all its simplicity and complexity. I hold a strong spiritual growth mindset and remain curious about new ways of seeing, being, and living in this world.
My Approach
My role as a trauma recovery coach is to provide structured, non-clinical support that helps clients:
Create realistic goals for growth and stability
Understand their nervous system and stress responses
Build emotional regulation skills
Develop grounding and body-based coping tools
Improve communication and relational skills
Strengthen self-esteem and identity
Rebuild confidence and resilience
Coaching is collaborative, practical, and change-focused. It does not involve diagnosing or treating mental health disorders. I do not provide psychotherapy or clinical trauma treatment - my services focus on skill-building, emotional awareness, and resilience development.
I am formally educated in psychology and bring that academic foundation into my work. However, I am not a registered psychologist, licensed therapist, or clinical practitioner. If a person requires clinical mental health support, I will recommend referral to an appropriate professional or service.
The sessions, classes and groups I curate have a strong focus on self-empowerment - accessing inner wisdom, enhancing agency, and sharing the experience of recovery with others on a similar journey - all of which have been vital in my own personal journey.
Healing is not linear — it moves in cycles, in relationship, and in community. It’s a dance between science and spirit, challenge and growth. Each person arrives with their own history, culture, and strengths, and I honour that uniqueness in every session, class and group I facilitate.
My approach supports the integration of mind, body, and spirit. These parts are never separate; they are always in conversation, shaping how we think, feel, and show up in the world.