A factual historical record for students of New Zealand History

The Avon Counselling Clinic in Christchurch, New Zealand, was a counselling and educational service located at the Christchurch Public Hospital and sponsored by the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

The Avon Counselling Clinic was concerned not only with individual emotional wellbeing but also with relationships, parenting, sexuality, family life and recovery from traumatic experiences.

In the founding year, 1973, Mr Lionel D. C. Hartley trained other counsellors (all university graduates) and authored a number of booklets, not just for his students but freely available for the general public from a display stand in the clinic foyer.

Mr Hartley also authored a few longer works on other topics such as "Body Image and Self Esteem" and " Coping with Loneliness" with publishing costs covered by the North Canterbury Hospital Board, printing by Redferns Ltd and marketing by local bookstores as well as through the clinic.

Through these publications, Lionel Hartley aimed to provide practical psychological and social support around issues that were often difficult to discuss openly in 1970s New Zealand. By this time Lionel Hartley was also a published author with over thirty books (mostly religious topics) and also the Bartender's Pocketbook for Alcohol-Free Drinks published by the New Zealand White Ribbon Digest.

The clinic was established in 1973 by Mr L. D. C. Hartley with assistance from T. C. Grigg, Doctors Platts and J. R. Dawson and Professor Beaven.

While at the Christchurch Public Hospital campus the receptionist and literature typist was Mrs. Janet Bergas. Counsellors other than Mr Hartley included M. B. Bains, Rev Harwood Holmes, Dr. Edwin Growen.

Its physical location was within the Christchurch Public Hospital, initially in the Nurses’ Home but soon after moved into rooms in the main building until it transferred to Sunnyside Hospital’s Day Clinic after only a few years at the Christchurch Public Hospital.

The Avon Counselling Clinic offered free counselling, appointments, and referrals. It started as a free counselling and educational service until it relocated to Sunnyside Hospital where it changed to more of a psychiatric clinic after the founder, Lionel Hartley resigned citing health reasons.

End of record.