How do I know if I or anyone else in my family needs therapy?

It is often a difficult and confusing decision to take the brave step of approaching a psychologist for therapy. Clients often question themselves about not coping with a current situation when they have coped in the past, often feeling guilty and weak.

Therapy therefore is not just for those in crisis. It can be beneficial for stable, high-functioning individuals seeking to explore their thoughts, feelings and behavior and then develop more effective ways of dealing with life’s challenges.

Therapy would be indicated for anyone:

·         Feeling overwhelmed and helpless in the face of the challenges of life

·         Who does not believe that their quality of life is what they want it to be

·         Whose problems are not resolved despite numerous attempts

·         Seeking to deal with a specific crisis such as divorce, death of a loved one, the ending of a long-term relationship, the empty-nest syndrome, retirement, retrenchment,         dealing with chronic illness, having experienced trauma be it physical, sexual, psychological or verbal.

·         Seeking to improve or maintain an important relationship

·         Seeking to end a dysfunctional relationship

·         Feeling life is dull and pointless

 

What if my partner or child refuses to go to therapy with me despite the fact that we both need help?

It would still be of benefit for you to have therapy as this would help you change the dynamics of the distressing relationship, gain a better perspective of the situation and develop more effective coping skills.

 

What can I expect in the first session?

The therapist will be aware of and sensitive to your probable anxiety in this first session and the difficulty in opening up your heart to a complete stranger. Every effort will be made to help you feel comfortable and more at ease, allowing you to disclose the information that you are happy to share at that very early stage of therapy.

The therapist will want to gather as much information as possible about your history, including details of your childhood, education, relationships current and past, current living conditions, the reasons for you seeking therapy and what you would like to achieve in therapy. It is important that the therapist establish what feels wrong in your life and what symptoms you are experiencing.

 

What is the cost of therapy?

The rates charged are within medical aid rates. Clients are asked to settle their accounts at the end of each month and then claim back from their medical aid. In certain cases invoices will be submitted directly to the medical aid with payment due to the therapist, but this would need to be discussed with the therapist first.

Payment plans may be organized for people not covered by medical aid.

 

How long is a therapy session?

For adults, the session is 50 mins long and for children usually 40 mins.

 

How often does therapy take place?

It is preferable that sessions are held once a week, at least at the start of the process. It may then be changed to once a fortnight, once every 3 weeks etc. If the client is faced with an emergency or crisis, sessions may be held more than once a week.

 

How many sessions are recommended or will be needed?

This will depend entirely on the nature of the issues being brought to therapy but generally I prefer to do short-term solution-based therapy.

 

Cancellations Policy.

Clients need to cancel appointments at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments cancelled at a late stage or not attended, will be charged for in full.

 

What if there is no connection between the therapist and the client?

The development of a therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is a key part of therapy so if there is a sense from either party that there is not a “good fit”, therapy should be terminated and the client referred to an alternative therapist.

 

How does therapy work?

Psychotherapy is essentially “talk therapy”, designed to help you explore your difficulties and find more effective ways of dealing with them. It provides a safe, non-judgmental, healing and confidential space in which you will be helped to see your limiting mind-sets and behaviors from a new perspective. The underlying belief is that once individuals have developed greater self-understanding, they will be in a better position to make deep personal changes in their lives.

At times therapy may need to focus on current problems or immediate crises but in time the focus may move to long-term difficulties. There are occasions where therapy may need to be practical, directed at specific life challenges. This may require a more structured approach by the therapist designed to address specific behaviors or choices that may be harmful to the person or others. The hope is that with increased self-awareness and self-confidence, clients will be able to look forward into the future instead of being trapped in the past, and begin to make and carry through on new plans for the future.

In certain cases, therapy may provide psycho-education for both the clients and their families if appropriate.  Having concrete information about their mental health, emotions and behaviors that hurt themselves or their loved ones, can be comforting to both client and their families and promote greater understanding and tolerance.

 

How does play therapy work?

The first step in bringing your child for play therapy is an initial session between the parents and the therapist. A full developmental history will be taken as well as details of the issues that have brought your child for therapy. The therapist will then give the parents an idea of how the therapy will work. Depending on the age of the child, this may well include a brief, low-key emotional assessment of the child which will often serve as a guide to the adaptation of play therapy to meet the particular developmental needs of the child. 

Play therapy is a way of helping children and young people make sense of their thoughts and feelings, be they sad, angry, painful or confusing.

Children often do not have the ability to articulate their thoughts and feelings so a large variety of techniques and media are used e.g. Drawing, painting, clay, puppets, stories, board games, toys etc.

Open communication between the therapist and the parents is encouraged to ensure that the therapist is aware of any disruptions that may occur for the child and the parents receive regular feedback on the progress of the child.

 

Do you use hypnotherapy?

No. I have not been trained in this discipline.

 

Is a psychologist allowed to prescribe medication?

No. Medication may only be prescribed by a medical doctor or a psychiatrist. The psychologist may discuss the role of medication and how it may benefit you but she will refer you to your general practitioner or a psychiatrist for the actual prescription and monitoring of your response to the drug.

 

How do I contact you?

You can contact me either on (011)728-5740 or 0835562489, or by e-mailing me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I will respond to your call or e-mail as soon as I am able to but cannot take calls when I am consulting.  All correspondence will be answered within the same business day.

In the case of a crisis or emergency, please go immediately to the nearest emergency room or call one of the paramedic services.

If you are difficult to reach, please let me know in your message some good times to contact you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

What are your hours of business?

8am – 7pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

8am – 6pm Thursday

8am – 4pm Friday