awareness understanding change growth hope

Welcome to Dawings!

My name is Carolina Gnad.

I have wide range of experience with a background in nursing and over 20 years working as a counsellor, supervisor, spiritual director and trainer. 

I use a holistic and integrative approach in my work with an eclectic mix of Person-Centred, Narrative, Psychotherapy, Gestalt, CBT, TA and other approaches. 

I work in private practice and under contract through Dawnings. 

Dawnings
- values each person and their journey of life as unique
- is compassionate, empathetic, respectful and non-judgemental
- works towards the growth and wellbeing of the whole person

Dawnings for counselling

Counselling - that sacred safe relationship where I can tell another human being what it is like to be me

Areas of interest include grief and trauma around death and dying, birth trauma, life events, relationship issues, depression and anxiety, assertiveness and conflict resolution.

I have specialised in pregnancy-baby loss including termination/abortion loss. I was founder and co-ordinator of P.A.T.H.S. (Post Abortion Trauma Healing Service) in NZ for around 20 years until I had to step out of roles of responsibility for personal reasons. In that time I gained knowledge and experience in the field, and alongside others working in the pregnancy, abortion and post abortion areas. Note: P.A.T.H.S. has since folded effective May 2021. 


Dawnings for supervision

Added vision around client work, reflective practice, ethical tensions and self in the helper or support role

I work with counsellors, counselling students, counsellors, pastors and chaplains, managers, individuals in helping caring roles....


Dawnings for training

Presentations, workshops, seminars available on a range of topics, face to face or via Zoom

See Talks and Training (page button in menu to the left) for more information around training offered.

In more recent years I have had the privilege of being involved in some tutor roles supporting counselling students in their learning and growth through process groups, triads, presentations and assessments.


Dawnings for spiritual direction

Companioning with your faith walk and spiritual journeying.

I enjoy spiritual direction and companioning, founded in Ignatian spirituality, exploring what gives life hope and meaning, and celebrating individual spirituality.

I respect and appreciate the diversity of religious beliefs and spiritual experiences, and welcome the sharing personal realities around spirituality.

Qualifications include

- Diploma in Nursing,

- Diploma in Counselling, 

- Certificate in Supervision

- Diploma in NFP Management

- Diploma in Religious Studies

- SEED spiritual director formation,.

I am a full member of the New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association. I have professional supervision and undertake ongoing professional development.


Other Information

Location: Hoon Hay Christchurch

Confidentiality is assured - except where there is serious risk of harm to self / others

Initial sessions enable us to see how working together might suit, look at presenting issues and needs, determine hopes and goals, and explore other options if helpful

Duration of sessions 50 minutes - times and frequency arranged as mutually agreed

Face-to-face or Zoom sessions available


Fees Counselling, Supervision, Spiritual Direction

Counselling $75NZ per session for individuals, $100 per couple

Supervision $100NZ per individual session, $150 per group session

Spiritual direction $60NZ per session

N.B. Please discuss fees if payment is an issue

24 hours notice of cancellation is required else a cancellation fee may apply.


Fees for Presentations, Workshops or Seminars

Presentations $120NZ per hour

Additional expenses will be charged for presentations, workshops or seminars e.g. flights, accommodation, photocopying







I offer specialised training around post abortion issues, recovery and healing, and can tailor presentations, workshops and training to suit groups, churches, health sector and counselling agencies.....


Training is offered both face to face and online.

Virtual training can be organised as a two to three day event or a series of modules. 

Carolina uses Zoom for virtual training.

Sessions are invariably interactive  - includes presentation of information, Q & A opportunities, and breakout into small groups for discussion.

PDF handouts of the slide material is included in the price.


The THREE DAY POST ABORTION SEMINAR "Hope for the Hurting"  takes a comprehensive look at post abortion issues, including coverage of a 14 Guidepost Programme for Post Abortion Healing, which is resource for health practitioners and post abortion support workers.

Day 1: Foundational

- views and beliefs as helpers and health practitioners

- context of abortion and the Web of Influence

- methods of abortion/termination

- initial reactions and therapeutic responding

- introduction to abortion loss and trauma

Day 2: Possible Negative Reactions and How to Respond

- possible short and long term physical, psychological, spiritual, relational impacts

- understanding trauma response

- men and abortion

Day 3: Overview of the "Hope for the Hurting" 14 Guidepost Programme

1. Engagement and storying

2.  Pre-pregnancy

3. The pregnancy

4. The abortion decision

5. The event

6. Adjustment

7. Hurts

8. Anger

9 Judgements

10.  Victimhood

11. Guilt

12. Forgiveness

13. Continuing bonds

14 Moving forward



I also offer training around general aspects with helping roles or counselling, or the following areas

General  Workshop Topics  include 

- Person-centred active listening skills

- Loss and grief

- Assertiveness and conflict resolution

- Pregnancy decision-making

- Pregnancy-baby loss

- Birth trauma


  • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Abortion is for many is a complex and difficult experience, and each person's experience is unique.

Abortion can impact someone at every level of their being: physically, psychologically, spiritually, relationally, socially.

Some people adjust and have few issues after their abortions. 

However, for those who experience negative reactions  it can be hard to talk about, so beginning the journey of healing is first about knowing that what I feel or experience around my abortion/termination is okay, and not unusual for what happened. 

As a pregnancy loss experience, grief and trauma associated with abortion is a natural response.

Reaching out for help and support can also be difficult, especially if the abortion is cloaked in secrecy or shame for any reason. 

But being able to share your story with someone who can really listen and not judge you can begin a process of recovery and healing. 


For Help and Support


Greenstone Doors www.greenstonedoors.co.nz

The pregnancy and post abortion service is based in Lower Hutt -  but post abortion counsellors are available nationally – some online counselling available

Phone 04 566 5037 or Mobile 022 0395788 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-2pm) 

Email office@greenstonedoors.co.nz 


The Buttons Project - https://www.buttonsproject.org/ 

What happened mattered - peer support and sharing after abortion - sharing stories and a button

Email marina@buttonsproject.org.nz 


Rachel’s Vineyard NZ - https://rachelsvineyard.org.nz/ 

Weekend retreats - psychological & spiritual healing from abortion loss & trauma 

Contact Wendy Ph 04 974 8693 or 027 733 2990 


Pregnancy Counselling Services   

Telephone or face-to-face pregnancy and PA counselling - free, confidential

24/7 Phone 0800 773 462   Text 021 289 8727 


Hope Community Counselling https://www.thehopecommunitytrust.org/counsellors 

General counselling plus counsellors trained in post abortion recovery 

Rangiora 03 928 3066 Email support@hopecommunity.co.nz


John Paul II Pregnancy Centre 

Pregnancy choice counselling and post abortion support Christchurch 

Phone 03 351 3227 (0508 HERE4U Pregnancy Centre) 


Pregnancy Choice https://www.pregnancychoice.org.nz/pages/view/hadabortion 

A pregnancy choice and post abortion recovery service – based in Tauranga   


Living in Colour  https://livingincolour.nz   https://www.facebook.com/livingincolournz/ 

Post abortion recovery programme offered with support 


Hapai Taumaha Haputanga – Crisis Pregnancy Support 

For support with a crisis pregnancy and post abortion counselling 

Nelson/Tasman 0800 004 277  Wairarapa 0800 006 277 


Pregnancy Centre - Palmerston North  

Support with crisis pregnancy and post abortion support 

Phone 06 354 2273 Email pregnancycentrepn@inspire.net.nz 


Project Rachel – South Auckland 

Living in Colour programme 

Contact Pauline 0800 111 811 Email projectrachel@xtra.co.nz 


Project Rachel - Diocese of Hamilton 

https://hamiltondiocese.com/offices/family-ministry/grief-support/healing-after-abortion.php   

Confidential caring support and counselling   

Phone 905-526-1999 or 1-888-385-3850


Men and Abortion Australian Helpline https://abortiongrief.asn.au/men-and-abortion..php 

In NZ counselling and support for men is available through the agencies above


Support After Abortion USA https://supportafterabortion.com/

For information, resources and help.

“The After Effects of Abortion” ISBN 978-0-473-13950

This researched booklet was initially produced for P.A.T.H.S. (Post Abortion Trauma Healing Service) Since P.A.T.H.S. folded in 2021 the material reverted to the Editor Carolina Gnad of Dawnings for use who has revised it and is making it available.

It offers insights into the possible loss and trauma of abortion, providing information and stories about the experienced impacts of abortion and a healing journey.

The revised booklet is available for $10 for a PDF copy.


“Abortion and Missed Fatherhood” (In Draft stage no ISBN Nnumber as yet)

This booklet was initially was initially produced for the Forgotten Fathers events happening in NZ in 2023.

The small information booklet covers some scenarios for men, voices of men and impacts for men.

The booklet is available for $5 for a PDF copy, or $10 for a hardcopy while stocks last.


"Hope for the Hurting: Guideposts for Healing after an Abortion/Termination"  ISBN 978-0-473-38038-2

This manual offers 14 Guideposts through a psychospiritual process for journeying with women towards healing after an abortion/termination. It uses a holistic person-centred approach. Useful for all counsellors and therapists, health practitioners and pastoral care people.

Note: The programme can be adjusted to work with men, grandparents or other family members impacted by an abortion/termination. The process is also transferable to working with any perinatal loss or birth trauma, other grief or trauma such as life changes, bereavements, unemployment etc

The manual is available in PDF version $50NZ or hard copy $75NZ plus postage and packaging . Copyright applies, but permission is given to copy handouts for client use.


"Hope Comes Healing Happens" ISBN 978-0-473-46314-4)

A self workbook for women for healing after an abortion to aid reflection around the experience and look at feelings associated with what happened.

The manual is only available in a PDF version and the cost is $25NZ.


"A New Tomorrow: Workbook for men affected by abortion"  ISBN 978-0-473-47143-9

Men’s experiences are even more under-acknowledged than women’s experiences.

This workbook focuses on men’s experiences, possible effects for men, and offers exercises to reflect on.

The manual is only available in a PDF version and the cost is $35NZ.



"Guidelines for a Post Abortion / Termination Therapeutic Support Group" ISBN 978-0-473-27267-8

Therapeutic Support Groups can be a good place to share painful personal experiences.

These guidelines will help you set up and facilitate a therapeutic support group for those who have experienced a pregnancy termination. It offers insights into the needs of participants, how to set up and run group safely.

The PDF version is $50NZ. Copyright applies but includes permission to copy handout material for group participants. Each location or site for a support group needs its own booklet to ensure rights to copy handouts.


"A New Path; My Story - My Healing Journey" ISBN 978-0-473-28214-1

Workbook accompaniment for the Therapeutic Support Group process. For some people having their own workbook is helpful. It provides information and space to reflect and explore aspects of the programme as a participant journeys through.

Leaders can purchase copies for participants, or participants may be invited to purchase their own copy.

PDF version is $25NZ. (Not to be copied).  Note: for groups who anticipate ongoing groups a one off fee of $150 NZ for PDF version of the workbook includes permission to copy for groups at a single location or site.


"Hearts Made Whole" No ISBN number

Christian Support Group Programme

A therapeutic group programme for use in churches. Includes Scripture reflections and exercises.

Only available as a PDF version for $50NZ. (material copyrighted but includes right to copy handouts for group participants)


"Turn Up Hope" No ISBN number

Therapeutic workbook for young people to journey towards healing. Recommended for use in a therapeutic setting or accompaniment.

PDF version is $25NZ. (Not to be copied).



QUERIES and ORDERS  can be made directly to the author Carolina Gnad email carognad@gmail.com 
Please supply your name and postal address.
An invoice will be emailed or sent, and once payment is received the item will be emailed or mailed.