You Deserve to Feel Great. I’m Here to Help.
I have been a registered Clinical psychologist since 1998, with a diverse work experience in private practice, hospitals, mental institutions, correctional services, and large corporates in South Africa. I am passionate about helping clients grow through their challenges to become “better” in engaging meaningfully and in a mutually beneficial manner with different stakeholders.
My approach to the therapeutic relationship with clients is based on the systemic theory, through which a person is seen as a holistic being. To that end, a multi-disciplinary approach is adopted in helping clients through their challenges. I believe that people are interconnected with others, and as a result, any breakdown in systemic interactions has the potential to impact behaviours, expectations, and moods. Our life context determines our behaviours. When you allow me to travel deeply with you and openly invite me into your context, you enable us to understand the root cause of behaviour, which is fundamental to a successful therapeutic intervention.
How Do I Know I need to see a psychologist?
Life has its ups and downs, and we all go through different seasons. In most instances, we can bounce back from life setbacks independently or through the support of family and friends. There are times however, that despite how much you try to get back on track on your own, it just seems difficult and impossible. When the challenges you face in life are overwhelming to the extent that you have lost joy, peace, and happiness, these could be indications that seeing a psychologist is the best route. Perhaps:
- you have lost a loved one and finding it difficult to cope,
- you can’t face a day without taking stress or depression medication,
- you have insomnia, anxiety, and excessive worry,
- you don’t have the energy to do the things you used to enjoy in life,
- you struggle to find energy to go to work most mornings,
- you sometimes, have thoughts of taking your life! etc.
Investing in your mental and psychological wellbeing is a puzzle piece towards your holistic wellness.
How Long will therapy take?
The number of sessions you need depends on your challenges and the extent to which you invest in your journey to recovery. After the first two sessions, we will know how many sessions might be needed. Each situation is different, and no one size fits all cases. Sessions are typically scheduled weekly initially and might progress bi-weekly for some clients.
What is the difference between an online session and an in-person session?
There is no difference in approach between the different mediums other than the platform.
How can I be certain that my information will be kept confidential?
Psychologist operates under strict ethical guidelines, which balances confidentiality and legal requirements.
- Confidentiality:
Any information discussed in therapy is kept confidential and private for all clients. Where there is a need to share your progress with other stakeholders in your life, e.g., parents if you are a minor, or your employer, if they have referred you for therapy and they are paying for the service, information can only be released with your consent.
- Legal limitations to confidentiality:
When during therapy it becomes evident that you are a danger to self or another person/s or when there is a court order, then the psychologist is bound by the ethical practice to share the information. This is to ensure that all parties involved are safe and where there is a court order, we comply. In any circumstance, you will be notified when the confidentiality clause will be nullified.
How do I know that my medical aid will cover all the sessions?
It is recommended that you contact your medical aid in advance to determine what benefits you have available for psychologists for individual members covered by the medical aid. Where you will be paying directly (EFT), you will be provided with an invoice which you can submit to your medical aid for reimbursement or your annual tax returns.
What if my partner does not want to participate in therapy?
Where you have identified a need for couple or marriage therapy and one of the partners is not willing to attend therapy, do not despair. With individual therapy, you get an opportunity to work on ‘yourself’ and in doing so, contribute towards the ‘unit’ in a productive and positive way. Never force anyone to see a psychologist if they are not ready; it is a journey that each person should be willing to commit to.
