Question 1

What is counselling (and isn't)

Accepted Answer

Counselling is a space where you don't have to have it all figured out. It's just you and me, working through whatever's going on for you — whether that's how you're feeling, what you're struggling with, or where you feel stuck. I'm not here to tell you what to do or hand you a five-step plan. I'm here to walk alongside you while you figure it out for yourself. Together, we might gently challenge some of the beliefs or patterns about yourself that aren't serving you anymore, and start to understand where they actually come from — often our childhood, culture, upbringing, or past relationships shape the way we relate to others and ourselves more than we realise. Counselling gives you the space to notice that, make sense of it, and start shifting the patterns that are holding you back. Sometimes that even shows up in how you relate to me in our sessions, which can be its own useful mirror for what happens in your relationships outside the room. I'll also offer you perspective, a chance to see your situation from angles you might not have considered and I won't be afraid to gently name things I notice, even if they're not always comfortable to hear. That honesty is part of how real change happens. What it's not: it's not a diagnosis, and it's not therapy for treating a mental illness. As a Registered Counsellor, I don't diagnose, and I can't write reports for court or legal matters. If what you're going through needs more specialised support, I'll be honest with you about that and help you find the right person.

Question 2

Do I really need counselling?

Accepted Answer

Honestly? You don't need to be "struggling enough" to come to counselling. So many of the people I work with aren't in crisis — they're just feeling a bit lost, low on confidence, or like everyone else has it figured out except them. If that sounds familiar, or you just want somewhere to say things out loud without judgement, that's a good enough reason to start.

Question 3

What is a Registered Counsellor?

Accepted Answer

I'm registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa) as a Registered Counsellor — that's my professional title, and it's a bit different from a psychologist. I work in a more short-term, supportive way, focused on helping people through everyday emotional stuff — confidence, identity, relationships, life transitions. I don't diagnose conditions, and I don't do legal or court reports. If your needs go beyond what I can offer, I'll always be upfront and refer you to someone who can help further.

Question 4

What to expect in your first session?

Accepted Answer

I can understand if your first session can feel very daunting if you're not sure what to expect. Your first session is really just us getting to know each other, I'll ask what's brought you in, a bit about your background and what's been going on for you, and what you're hoping to get out of our time together. The more open you can be about what you're looking for, whether that's just someone to talk to, support through a specific season, or practical tools to work with, the more I can tailor our sessions to actually help. The early sessions especially are about me getting to know you and us building trust together, rather than jumping straight into "fixing" anything. There's no fixed script we follow, we go where it feels most relevant for you, session to session. It might feel like you're doing most of the talking at first, and that's completely normal, I need to understand what's going on for you before we can start working through it together. You don't need to have the "right" words or a perfectly organised story, just come as you are. Individual sessions run for 50 minutes. Couples sessions are a bit longer (70–80 minutes) and usually start with a more structured process to understand where things stand, before we move into ongoing work together. There's no fixed number of sessions, some people come for a short, focused period around one specific thing, others need a bit longer. We figure that out together as we go, and because my work is short-term and developmental in focus, I'll also be upfront if I think your needs would be better supported by a psychologist.

Question 5

Can I claim from my medical aid?

Accepted Answer

My practice is registered with the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), so yes, you can claim the sessions back from your medical aid. However, this depends on your specific medical plan and what benefits you have available. I'd suggest giving your medical aid a quick call to check your day-to-day or mental health benefits before we start. After each session, I'll give you an invoice you can submit for reimbursement. One important note: as a Registered Counsellor, I don't qualify for claims under your medical aid's Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) list for out-patient consultations, only psychiatrists and psychologists can apply for those.

Question 6

How do bookings and payments work?

Accepted Answer

All sessions are booked in advance. Unfortunately I'm not able to accommodate walk-ins or emergency same-day appointments. The best way to reach me is via email or WhatsApp, since I'm often with clients and can't always answer my phone. Individual sessions (50 minutes) are R650, and couples counselling sessions (70–80 minutes) are R990 (2026 fees). Payment is by cash or card, due before or directly after your session. Alternatively, an invoice will be sent for EFT payments by Psychology Bookkeeping. After payment, we'll give you a statement afterward so you can submit it to your medical aid for reimbursement yourself.

Self-Esteem Counsellor for Teens & Young Adults
Brackenfell - In-person & Online

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN?

What is counselling (and isn't)

Do I really need counselling?

What is a Registered Counsellor?

What to expect in your first session?

Can I claim from my medical aid?

How do bookings and payments work?

Self-Esteem Counsellor for Teens & Young Adults Brackenfell - In-person & Online

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN?

What is counselling (and isn't)

Do I really need counselling?

What is a Registered Counsellor?

What to expect in your first session?

Can I claim from my medical aid?

How do bookings and payments work?

Self-Esteem Counsellor for Teens & Young Adults
Brackenfell - In-person & Online