Why I chose the name Paper Plane Counselling when I moved my practice to New Plymouth

When people first hear the name Paper Plane Counselling, they often smile and ask me where it came from. It might sound like an unusual choice for a counselling practice, but for me it carries a story - and a metaphor - that has shaped both my life and the way I think about therapy.

A childhood lesson in paper planes

When I was a child at school in the UK, my teacher showed our class how to make paper planes. We all folded the paper in the same way and to our delight they managed to fly across a few desks. From that day on, I always made planes in exactly that way.

For years, it became a little ritual - whenever a paper plane was needed, I folded it in the same familiar pattern. It worked well enough and it was comfortable. But then, years later, someone showed me a different way of folding them. Their planes soared further than mine, which was both impressive and, if I’m honest, a little annoying.

I resisted at first. My well-practised folds felt safe and familiar. Trying something new felt awkward and frustrating and my early attempts didn’t work very well. But deep down I knew - if I was willing to practise, to play with different ways of folding - I could create something new that would probably fly better.

What paper planes taught me about change

Eventually, I gave it a go. I tried new folds. Some designs flew beautifully, others flopped spectacularly. And to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the process. The joy wasn’t just in the “perfect” plane, but in the experimenting, the trying, the learning.

That simple shift became a metaphor for me: life is full of times when we need to adjust and try something new. It’s often uncomfortable at first, especially if we’ve been doing things the same way for a long time. But with curiosity and patience, new possibilities open up.

This has been especially meaningful in my own life, having moved countries and started fresh in new places - most recently halfway across the world from the UK to New Plymouth in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Why this matters in counselling

I find this metaphor often resonates with the people I work with, especially those who are considering or are in the thick of navigating big changes, losses or transitions.

Like those paper planes, there isn’t just one right way to do things. Sometimes, what’s needed is to pause, experiment and see what other possibilities might be out there. Some “folds” will work well, others may not - but the process of exploring and playing with options can itself be freeing.

People often come to counselling because something in life isn’t working the way it used to for them. Maybe an old coping strategy has stopped helping or a well-worn pattern now feels more limiting than supportive.

It’s not about throwing away everything that came before, but about giving yourself the chance to see how you can adapt and what else might be possible.

From the UK to New Plymouth - carrying the name with me

When I relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023, I decided to keep the same name for my counselling practice, Paper Plane Counselling. It felt right, not just because of my personal story but because the metaphor of paper planes has stayed true across every stage of my life.

Whether I’m sitting with someone in New Plymouth, connecting with a client elsewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand, or meeting with someone online in another part of the world, the heart of my work remains the same: creating a space to pause, reflect and gently explore the possibilities for new folds.

An invitation

If this story or way of thinking resonates with you, you’re welcome to reach out. I offer counselling here in New Plymouth as well as online across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Sometimes change feels daunting but, like making paper planes, it can also become a process of discovery and even joy.