About Our Team
Our Philosophy
The highs and lows of life can be challenging sometimes. Finding the right person to listen to you and walk with you through your struggles makes the world feel a lot more manageable.
We have a passion for supporting people during their hardest times. If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, confused, overwhelmed, stressed, or anything in between, we can help.
Our philosophy with therapy encompasses an empathetic and holistic approach to ensure you walk away feeling heard, seen, and equipped to handle life.
Our Team
Kelsey Powell
MNZAC: 99451
Kia ora! I’m Kelsey, the founder of The Therapy Project in Queenstown, New Zealand. With a Master of Arts in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver and over a decade of global experience, I specialize in trauma therapy, cross-cultural counselling, and workplace mental health.
My goal is to walk with you through the challenges you are experiencing, whether it's anxiety or depression, issues at work or with friends/family, or even childhood experiences you want to work through. I am originally from the US and have been living in Queenstown since 2016.
My career spans high-profile crisis interventions in Colorado, mental health advocacy in Ghana, and supporting refugees and individuals navigating life transitions. At The Therapy Project, I use evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, Psychodynamic Theory, Internal Family Systems, and mindfulness to create a compassionate, client-centered space for healing. I offer trauma therapy, workplace EAP services, and cross-cultural counselling tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Whether you’re processing trauma, managing stress, or navigating change, I’m here to help you build resilience and thrive.
Gaya Viswanathan
Registered Counsellor | NZAC Provisional Member #15255
I’m Gaya from Malaysia. I hold a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Help University and a Master of Counselling from Monash University, which gives me a strong foundation to guide and support you through life’s complexities. My role is to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, accepted, and supported—something that can be difficult to find in a world where people often talk more than they listen.
Life is like the ocean—waves may try to knock you down and push you back to where you started. But once you learn to embrace the waves, the entire ocean becomes yours. Together, we can navigate these waters, discovering the tools and insights to help you lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
I have worked with clients ranging from the ages of 17 to 65, addressing relationship issues, anxiety and stress, self-exploration, sexuality, trauma, and familial rejection—understanding that these challenges often intersect and influence each other. My approach is tailored to honor your story, empowering you to find balance, clarity, and resilience amidst life’s complexities.
Drawing from Reality Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), I offer tools and insights to support your growth and healing. Let’s embrace the waves together to uncover the world that truly is yours.
Vani Jayaprakash
Registered Counsellor | NZAC Provisional Member #14441
Hi, I’m Vani, and I’m here to walk alongside you on your journey—whether you're working through something from the past, figuring out the present, or planning for the future. With a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Lancaster University, UK, and Sunway University, Malaysia, and a Master’s in Professional Counselling from Monash University, I blend professional expertise with a down-to-earth, client-focused approach.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life. I started by volunteering with Bluebird Pluho, helping queer individuals connect with affirming therapists. At an international high school in Malaysia, I helped set up an in-house counselling unit, supporting students through group and one-on-one sessions. In private practice, I’ve worked with clients aged 15 to 65, addressing everything from anxiety and depression to life transitions, burnout, self-exploration, and even topics like sexual health and intimacy.
My approach is rooted in compassion and collaboration. Therapy with me is about creating a space where you feel safe to be yourself and brave enough to face whatever comes up—whether it’s past wounds, present challenges, or future uncertainties. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), blending techniques to meet your unique needs and goals.
At the heart of my work is a belief in the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection. My role isn’t to “fix” you but to work alongside you as you uncover your strengths, navigate challenges, and create a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
Let’s trust our own processes and take this journey together.