Choosing a therapist is a highly personal decision – you need to feel comfortable and connected to your therapist. We have a great team of psychologists who are highly skilled and able to assist you with your unique needs.
PS 0147508
PR 0928275
I have always had a special interest in people. This
natural curiosity encouraged a passion and
dedication to the field of psychology. Currently, I
run a private practice in Groenkloof Pretoria and
lecture at the South African College of Applied
Psychology (SACAP). I believe the greatest tool we
have to offer is a safe space for clients to feel
validated, cared for and understood. I am warm,
empathic, and friendly in my therapy room and
believe that nobody can give you wiser advice than
yourself.
Personally, I enjoy using Person-Centered Therapy,
Positive Psychology and most importantly
Interactional Therapy. This approach uses an
integrative foundation to understand and assist
clients. The techniques used in therapy focus on
symptom reduction, enhanced social relationships and
psychoeducation. My focus in therapy generally
covers behaviours, thoughts, emotions, and
relationships for a holistic treatment plan.
PS 0156027
PR 1126881
I am a dedicated and compassionate Counselling
Psychologist with a keen interest in leveraging
individuals’ inherent strength and resilience to
help them achieve mental and emotional well-being.
My work is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep
commitment to fostering a safe and non-judgmental
space where clients can explore their thoughts and
feelings.
Taking the first step towards seeking help is a
courageous choice, and I'm here to support you
every step of the way. Whether you're facing a
specific issue or simply seeking personal growth and
self-discovery, I look forward to working with you
to create positive and lasting change in your life.
It might not always seem like it but choosing to be in therapy is a brave and challenging step. Therapy requires hard work and honesty, with yourself and your therapist. You might have to face some tough emotions or discuss some uncomfortable topics. Things might get a little harder before they get better. But if done properly, therapy can be the start of something new for you.
You can choose to have a set number of sessions or to have an open-ended therapy plan. The length of a session usually lasts between 50 minutes to an hour for individuals, families and couples. Sessions take place at our practice in Groenkloof or online via Zoom. Please see the FAQs section for more information on therapy and how it works.
The cost per session is based on the current annual medical aid rates and is dependent on the duration of a session. For 2024, a 50-60 minute session will be charged at R 1 200. Claiming for sessions on your behalf from a medical aid is available for most schemes. Cash, EFT and credit/debit card payments are also accepted. For more information, please feel free to contact us.
Bookings can be made via phone call, email or our online booking platform. Please see the Contact section for more information and contact details.
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 14:00 |
Mental health advocacy is such an important cause for us. The more we talk about mental health and the available resources, the better. Only through discussions, can changes be made.
In 2022 the education department did not intend to publish the results of individual matrics online or in newspapers. Calynn discusses the possible effects on self-esteem.
Education department backtracks and individual matrics saw their results published in various media. Calynn speaks about the possible repercussions.
Calynn takes us through some of the challenges and psychological trauma you may experience as a first-time mother.
Calynn answers some questions of how to overcome imposter syndrome.
Calynn unpacks post-partum depression - suffered by a mother following childbirth, typically arising from the combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustment to motherhood and fatigue.
Calynn unpacks childhood trauma.
A listener has a habit of creating scenarios in her head and actually believing them. We chat to Calynn about this.
The high suicide rate in South Africa is attributed to a number of factors, including poverty, unemployment, and a lack of mental health services. Calynn chats about suicide awareness.
Calynn chats about the challenges of accepting your HIV status and the impact it has on your mental health.
Katlego unpacks seasonal fatigue.
Calynn helps unpack Dyslexia in both children and adults.
The duration of therapy depends on the client, their needs, and their availability. Some people prefer to be in therapy to resolve specific issues, others enjoy the consistent emotional work and will be in therapy for years. Some people enter therapy for a few sessions and then never need to go back, others will revisit their therapist whenever they need assistance in processing a major life event. There is no right amount or duration of therapy, therefore it’s important to listen to your mind, body, and emotions to tell you when you do and don’t need to be in therapy.
The beauty of therapy is that it can be helpful to everyone. There is an age-old stigma that says only “crazy” people or people who have something wrong with them are in therapy. Therapy is actually designed to assist people with a wide variety of issues from grief, job stress and relationship hurdles to personality disorders, depression, and anxiety. There is no set type of person that needs to be in therapy.
The first few sessions of a therapeutic relationship are usually centred on the therapist getting to know you. People are dynamic and unique, this means we have a lot to learn about you before the real work can begin. Once the relationship is established, a session will follow a fairly similar structure. A client is usually asked how they have been and if anything has happened since the previous session. If any homework was assigned, the therapist will ask about this too. The client is usually the leader of the session and will guide where the focus will be. Sometimes the therapist will guide the content of the session if they feel it is necessary, but the client and their needs are most important. We will focus on the challenges that brought you to therapy in the first place and will generally work on coping skills, emotional awareness, thought awareness and behaviour management.
A therapist, specifically a psychologist, will spend many years trying to qualify in this profession. Each therapist is highly trained and will have a specific selection of therapeutic techniques or theories that they will work with. Whilst most therapists are good at their jobs, the most important factor that will determine the right therapist for you is the therapeutic relationship. Therapy is a highly personal and subjective experience. There needs to be a sense of ease and comfort between you and your therapist. This helps create a sense of trust and connection that is vital for the therapeutic process. The only way to know this is to meet a therapist and get a feel for them. You should know by the first or second session if you feel comfortable and trusting of your therapist. If you don’t, you are allowed to tell your therapist and ask for a referral to someone who they think might fit your needs better.
Most therapists also accept cash payments and don’t need you to have medical aid to offer treatment services. The best option is to speak to your therapist about your financial situation and your ability to pay for sessions.
You will be given a safe and protected environment to explore your most vulnerable emotions, memories, behaviours and thoughts. Most therapy rooms are private, quiet and comfortable. Although unpleasant, therapy will require you to be honest with yourself and about the life you live so that you may create awareness and change. Sometimes you may cry and sometimes you may laugh, but you can expect therapy to be a space in time dedicated to you and your needs.
Many clients expect their therapists to give them advice and tell them what to do. Unfortunately, this is not the job of a therapist. Our job is rather to provide a safe space for you to explore your behaviour, thoughts, and emotions and to come to your own conclusions. Our job is to make you feel heard and understood first. We may ask you thoughtful and guided questions in order to help us both understand you a bit better, we may even offer some insights or thoughts on what you bring to therapy. The focus of the session is on you and your story, and the one most qualified to make decisions about your life is you. Our job is to assist you in doing that.