The Path That Shaped My Work
I never imagined I'd become a celebrant.
Looking back, though, it feels as though life had been quietly preparing me for it. For more than twenty-five years, people have invited me into their lives and trusted me with their stories.
Becoming a celebrant felt like a natural extension of that privilege—and one that brings me enormous joy.
How my work began...
I didn't set out to become a celebrant or a mentor.
Like many meaningful paths, mine unfolded one step at a time—through motherhood, living overseas, personal healing, years of study, and a growing curiosity about people and what helps us thrive.
I began my career in the healing arts more than twenty-five years ago. Along the way I explored bodywork, mind-body approaches, energy work and many different ways of understanding the connection between our bodies, our minds and our lives.
Every experience taught me something. Every person I met added another piece to the picture.
What I came to understand...
Listening beneath the surface...
For many years I worked with people who came because they were in pain. Sometimes it was a sore shoulder, a stiff neck or a body that simply wouldn't settle.
But as the years went by, I realised that pain is rarely just physical.
Stress, grief, loss, overwhelm, big life changes and years of putting everyone else first often leave their mark on us in ways we don't always recognise.
I understood that because I'd experienced it too.
Like most people, I've had seasons where I questioned myself, wondered what came next, and found myself standing at a crossroads. Those times changed me, and that changed the way I work.
Coming home
Those experiences taught me something simple.
I don't believe we need to be fixed.
I believe we all need to be heard.
When someone feels safe enough to tell the truth about what's really going on, something begins to shift. Clarity appears. Hope returns. New possibilities begin to open.
That belief sits quietly underneath everything I do.
Mentoring and Celebrancy
Today, my work has two clear expressions: celebrancy and mentoring.
I love hearing people's stories. Becoming a celebrant has given me the opportunity to turn those stories into ceremonies that are personal, joyful and deeply meaningful. There is something incredibly special about bringing people together to celebrate love, honour a life, or mark a new beginning, and it's a privilege to play a small part in those moments.
Alongside celebrancy, I also offer mentoring. It's a chance to pause for a while, talk things through, and untangle whatever's been weighing on you. My role isn't to tell you what to do—it's to ask good questions, share what I've learned over the years, and help you see things with fresh eyes.
If you leave feeling clearer, more empowered, and more like yourself again, then I've done my job.
A grounded foundation
For those who like to know what sits behind my work...
I hold a Bachelor of Health Science and have spent more than twenty-five years working with people through the healing arts, mentoring and now celebrancy.
Along the way I've continued learning through formal study, professional training and, perhaps most importantly, the people who've trusted me with their stories.
I've always been curious about people and what helps them flourish. That curiosity has led me to study widely over the years—from bodywork and holistic health to celebrancy.
I still love learning, and I suspect I always will.
I'd love to hear your story
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Whether you're looking for a celebrant or you're simply wondering if mentoring might be the next step for you, I'd love to hear your story too.
Email me at: info@dorotka.co.nz
“When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold
you might otherwise never have crossed on your own”
- John O’Donohue
Your next chapter awaits.