About Me

 Toni McErlane, B.Sc.

Counsellor, Ecotherapist, Mediator, Nonviolent Communication Facilitator, Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide

Kia ora! I am the heart and soul behind Restorative Relationships, where I weave together a tapestry of diverse and innovative approaches to nurture restorative connections. In my Kite I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling, an American certificate in horticulture therapy, and a transformative 94-hour Professional Ecotherapy Program, I have also journeyed through the Four Directions training with the inspiring Dave Talamo from Wilderness Reflections in California.

In 2009, I embarked on a life-changing adventure through the North American year-long Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Leadership Programme. This journey ignited my passion for extensive training in conflict resolution and restorative circles.

I have trained in Hakomi for couples and mindfulness somatic approaches to trauma. In 2017, I deepened my cultural connection by completing the year-long Te Reo Māori Level Two course at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

As a registered mediator with AMINZ and an Associate Family Dispute Resolution Provider (FDR), I am dedicated to guiding individuals and families through their challenges with compassion and expertise.

My philosophy in fostering healthy relationships is rooted in a vibrant humanistic and ecological perspective. I believe that every action we take is a heartfelt attempt to meet our needs, and like that large Totara, within each of us lies the extraordinary potential to achieve wholeness. Our emotions are not just feelings; they are invaluable guides, steering us toward survival and flourishing. By cultivating an “allowing” presence with our emotions, we can build a trusting and nurturing relationship with them.

I believe that our connection to nature is vital, shaping our sense of self, belonging, personal growth, reverence for ourselves and the land, and our collective roles as kaitiaki. By embracing our intrinsic interconnectedness with the land, we can navigate our way back to wholeness, inner reverence, and profound understanding. My professional background in horticulture, Sustainable landscape design, and ecological restoration informs my eco-therapuetic work both on a practical and knowledge-based level as well as a spiritual and deeply lived whenua and connection level.

Beyond my formal training as a counselor, I have spent a large portion of my life in the outdoors either hang gliding, kayaking, tramping, climbing, getting lost, landscaping, or gardening, all of which have given me the utmost respect and awe of the power and unitive experience of nature. It is these formative experiences that I draw on and combine with mindfulness and counseling to enhance my offerings as an Ecotherapist, Retreat Facilitator, and Rites of Passage Guide.