About me
Hi, I’m Kathryn — an educator, health coach, and specialist in learning support and brain regulation therapies. I’m passionate about mental health and committed to helping individuals thrive. With over 30 years of experience in education, mental health coaching, and positive psychology, I’ve focused my work on creating inclusive, supportive spaces where individuals with cognitive, emotional, or behavioural challenges feel valued, understood, and empowered.
Whether I’m working with a school-avoidant child, a teen battling anxiety, or an adult seeking to reclaim calm and clarity, my mission is the same: to meet each person where they are and support them with evidence-based tools and care.
If you're ready to move forward — whether it’s from trauma, learning barriers, or emotional overwhelm — I’d love to help. Get in touch today.
Ways of Working
Neurofeedback sessions (Only available in person in Tauranga, NZ) Using a headband-style sensor, clients receive real-time feedback that encourages the brain to increase blood flow to the prefrontal cortex (thinking and executive functioning part of our brain). Over time, this helps improve attention, reduce stress, and support emotional balance — all without needing to talk or consciously change thoughts. It is a potentially life changing therapy.
Interactive Metronome (Available in person only in Tauranga, NZ) Interactive Metronome uses precisely timed hand, foot and body movements with real-time auditory and visual feedback to train the brain to process information more efficiently. Over time, this improves attention, focus, coordination, processing speed, working memory and overall brain-body connection.
Mind Body Therapy (Available in person and online) Somatic therapy works with the connection between the mind and body, helping people become aware of how stress, emotions and difficult experiences are held in the body. Through gentle body-based techniques, it supports nervous-system regulation, emotional release and a greater sense of calm, safety and wellbeing.
Strengths Profile Assessments and Debriefs (Available in person and online) By completing an assessment, you will learn what your strengths are, and we can work together to utilise these to achieve your goals or help you work through challenges.
Meaning and Purpose 6 week block course (available online for youth and adults) A six-week Meaning & Purpose course that helps you reconnect with what truly matters, discover what gives your life meaning, and clarify the direction you want to take. Through guided reflection and practical tools, you’ll explore your values, strengths, purpose and what it means to create a life that feels more fulfilling and authentic.
Coaching Sessions (Available in person and online) I can help you achieve health and wellness goals, guide you through challenges, and support you toward regaining optimal functioning.
My Why.
There are two deeply personal experiences that fuel my passion and purpose: supporting individuals with learning difficulties and guiding people through grief and trauma recovery. Inspired by my brother’s struggles with dyslexia and my daughter’s courageous battle with complex mental health challenges, my work is grounded in compassion, lived experience, and a commitment to providing hope for those who feel overwhelmed, helpless and on the brink of giving up.
My passion for supporting individuals with learning challenges began at a very young age, with my brother, who was dyslexic. Back then, there was little understanding or support available, and as a result, he spent his life believing he was “dumb” simply because he struggled to read. I did my best to support him, despite not knowing how — all I knew was how painful it was to watch someone I loved battle daily to navigate a world that wasn’t built for him. Seeing how this impacted his confidence and limited his potential left a lasting impression on me. It ignited a deep sense of empathy and ultimately drove me to become an educator committed to truly seeing, understanding, and supporting those who learn differently.
Throughout my teaching career, I dedicated myself to understanding the wide range of learning difficulties students face, and to find practical, evidence-based strategies to help them experience success. My brother remains the inspiration behind everything I do in the learning space — and the reason I continue to advocate for neurodiverse individuals with both heart and purpose.
My daughter is the reason I am so passionate about mental health and trauma recovery. She inspires me every single day with her strength and perseverance. I’ve watched her fight through immense mental health challenges just to keep going. For years, we searched tirelessly for help, navigating countless services, therapies, and systems, yet nothing seemed to make a lasting difference, or bring her a sense of relief or release from the daily battles of mental anguish. Every day was a testament to her inner strength. Her resilience sparked something in me. I immersed myself in research, determined to find answers, and some hope - something, anything that could take some of her pain away. Through her journey, I have learnt so much and developed a deeper understanding and compassion for those living with the weight of trauma and mental anguish. She is the reason I discovered neurofeedback — a breakthrough that finally offered the support and healing we’d been searching for. Her experience continues to fuel my commitment to helping others find hope and reclaim their lives.
In my role as an educator, I frequently worked with children, young people, and their families who were navigating neurodiverse challenges, learning difficulties, or trauma. These experiences echoed the stories of my brother, whose life was shaped by the lack of understanding around dyslexia, and my daughter, whose strength in the face of overwhelming mental health challenges continues to inspire me. Witnessing both their struggles, and the struggles of those I worked with, highlighted the gaps in traditional approaches and ignited my commitment to find alternative compassionate ways to support healing and growth.
I am driven to support others in a way that respects their unique stories — offering understanding, and practical solutions. Through neurofeedback, positive psychology, and nervous system regulation, I offer a holistic, science-backed approach that helps individuals move beyond survival. My goal is to support each person as they build the confidence, clarity, and emotional stability required to step into a future filled with possibility, purpose, and hope.
My credentials and experience
Master of Education (Leadership)
Bachelor of Education (Pastoral care and Psychology)
EMDR training (PESI - Professional Education Systems Inc, Aglow Counselling)
20 years' experience as SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) - skilled as a neurodiversity practitioner, supporting children, teens, and families
Trained in trauma-informed educational practice
Diploma in Positive Psychology
Advanced training in pIR HEG Neurofeedback & infrared imaging, with Dr Jeffery Carmen, PhD
ICF and HCANZA accredited PreKure Health and Wellness Coach (Specialised in Preventative, holistic and natural health)
Meaning and Purpose in Life Trainer (Michael Steger and Kiko Kislansky)
Somatic Therapies certified
Strengths Profile Accredited Practitioner
28 years of coaching and educational experience
Self-Compassion Essentials (Kristin Neff) Certification
Experienced Public Speaker
What you can expect from me…
Warmth, professionalism, approachability and compassion
Evidence based professional practice
A strengths focused approach
Excellent communication
A good balance of theory (educational and positive psychology research) and practical tools and strategies
The Coaching Process
At Pure Impact, we specialise in supporting individuals navigating trauma recovery, neurodiversity, and learning difficulties. Our coaching approach is grounded in compassion, trust, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with emotional distress, ADHD, autism, and other cognitive or behavioural differences.
We believe that effective coaching starts with creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel genuinely seen and heard. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor each session to respect your pace, needs, and responses — whether that means processing past trauma, building focus and self-regulation, or developing strategies for daily functioning at school, work, or other regularly visited environments.
Through open communication, evidence-based tools, and a trauma-informed lens, we guide you toward healing and recovery — or empower you to strengthen your capabilities, build confidence, and navigate life with greater ease. Our mission is to walk alongside you — helping you restore confidence, resilience, and wellbeing as you move toward lasting, meaningful transformation.
Notice
What is your body telling you?
Where do you feel pain?
What behaviours do you repeat without realising?
How does your nervous system respond in busy or overstimulating environments?
Transform
What would change if you felt safe, calm, and in control of your responses?
How can you shift from surviving to thriving, using the brain’s ability to rewire and heal?
How can neurofeedback help your brain learn new, healthier patterns of regulation?
Inspire
What strengths are waiting to shine once regulation and safety are in place?
Who might you become when you’re not held back by anxiety, dysregulation, or trauma?
What could change in your family, classroom, or life if healing was at the centre?
“Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall, but by those who fought, fell, and rose again.”
(Adrienne Rich).