About Me
I am a counselling psychologist based in East London, South Africa with over 15 years of experience helping people cope with a variety of different challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, substance abuse and grief.
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I provide a safe and confidential space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. I use a compassionate and non-judgmental approach, working collaboratively with clients to identify their goals and support them in achieving positive change in their lives.
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I aim to provide counselling services that are tailored to each client's unique needs and circumstances.
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I commenced my career in psychology as a volunteer at Life Line where I gained extensive experience with community interventions. I then went on to work as the inpatient programme coordinator for SANCA Central Eastern Cape of South Africa (CEC), I spent several years there gaining valuable experience in treating substance abuse. I then went on to complete my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University of Fort Hare - MA (Counselling psychology) Cum Laude.
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I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the category of counselling Psychologists. I currently work in private practice and I am registered with the Board of Healthcare Funders. (BHF)
MY PRACTICE
People begin psychotherapy for many different reasons but most people seek help because they are struggling with a mental health problem that is interfering with their daily life. However, here are some other reasons why people may seek therapy:
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To cope with difficult life events
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To improve their relationships
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To make personal changes
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To simply have a safe and confidential space to talk
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To understand their past and how it affects their present
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To develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety
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To learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way
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To improve their self-esteem and self-confidence
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To make better decisions about their lives
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To live a more fulfilling life
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Therapy usually consists of one 50-60 minute session per week for a duration that varies between individuals and couples. In order to help you most effectively, the first one to two sessions will be focused on understanding your concerns in context.
We will discuss some of your past and present experiences that may be contributing to your distress. You may also be asked to complete some general screening measures to help me gain further clarity on goals for therapy.
THERAPY APPROACHES
As a therapist, I work from an integrative perspective, drawing on various modalities so that services are tailored and personalised according to the needs of the client and their presenting problem. Some of the modalities that I utilize include, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and Logotherapy. I work collaboratively with my clients in order to create a safe and supportive environment where they can feel empowered to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. This collaboration aims to allow a better understanding of my clients’ needs and goals in order to develop a tailor made treatment plan for each individual.
Therapy approaches can differ in their focus, techniques and theoretical basis. The best type of therapy for a particular individual or couple will vary depending on their specific needs. Some of the factors that I will consider when choosing a therapy approach would be:
-The diagnosis: For example, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is often used to treat depression and anxiety
-The client’s goals: I will also consider the client’s goals for therapy when choosing which approach to use. For example, if the client primarily wants to learn coping mechanisms I would recommend CBT
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The way that we relate to ourselves and others, as well as the ways in which we cope with stress, develop throughout our lives as a function of our unique temperament, our relationships and our circumstances. These patterns are difficult to change but are sometimes (if unknowingly) responsible for maintaining distress. Therapy helps us to look beneath the surface so that we can understand how we came to be the way we are, and the conscious and unconscious choices (both past and current) which may be maintaining painful feeling states, repetitive relationship problems and/or clinical symptoms. With the support of the therapeutic relationship, one can explore and practice new ways of being that serve them better.