Anxiety
Anxiety can take many forms such as chronic worrying, fear of public speaking
and general extreme shyness in public, performance anxiety, excessive concern about
one’s physical appearance or health. Although we are all susceptible to stress and thus
some anxiety, when the physical and psychological symptoms such as heart palpitations,
digestive disturbances, panic attacks, shortness of breath, feelings of dread,
irritability, trouble concentrating, restlessness etc, become excessive then it is time
to seek help. I use a combination of interventions designed to best suit your situation
including cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, hypnosis,
or Emotional Freedom Technique.
Depression
Depression is extremely prevalent in our society with almost 20% of the population developing a depressive disorder during the course of their lives. Fortunately, it is treatable and the most common and successful form of treatment is with cognitive behavioural therapy either with or without simultaneous medication depending on the severity of the condition. A person with a depressive disorder differs from the common ‘blues’ that one experiences from time to time. Rather it feels like your entire body, mood and thoughts are involved since it affects your eating, sleeping and general feelings about yourself and what you think about.
Trauma
Trauma is sadly a common experience for many South Africans. There are various forms of trauma but my particular area of focus is psychological trauma. This is the emotional damage resulting from abuse, rape, hijack, witnessing scenes of atrocity and others. Traumatic experiences shake the foundations of our beliefs about safety, and shatter our assumptions of trust. Each person handles a traumatic experience differently: some may respond immediately, others much later with symptoms such as severe anxiety, depression or numbness. Symptoms of flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and hyperarousal that still exist several weeks after a traumatic event may indicate a person is suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and it is important that treatment is sought. Careful trauma debriefing is required soon after an event to help a person process the event appropriately and minimise negative psychological consequences. This may take the form of individual, couple or even family counselling.
Relationship difficulties
This is a broad description of a wide variety of issues experienced by couples or family members. Often individuals or couples will describe how their relationships have become disconnected due to attitudes of blame, loneliness, resentment and fear. A process of cognitive behavioural techniques and communication strategies are tailored to meet the needs of the individual or couple rediscover meaning and purpose in their relationships.
Stress Management
Everyone experiences stress but not everyone experiences it in the same way. Dealing with general life stressors such as work, finance and relationship problems can become overwhelming at times. The results of excessive stress can be ‘burnout,’ poor sleeping habits, irritability, decline in quality of close relationships, and ultimately dangerous health risks including heart-failure. Typically a person may try and self-medicate by drinking, smoking or taking recreation drugs excessively. Counselling will take the form of psycho-education – helping the individual understand stress and how it affects one’s health – as well as teaching the person various coping mechanisms including relaxation techniques. The intervention is based on cognitive behavioural therapy.
Health-related psychological difficulties
Individuals living with life threatening or chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease may experience symptoms of pain, depression and/or anxiety. Counselling will take the form of gentle and supportive interventions designed to manage and cope with physical and psychological side-effects of these diseases. Included in these interventions are cognitive behavioural therapy, guided imagery, hypnotherapy as well as relaxation techniques.
New! Trauma Debriefing
If you have recently experienced or witnessed a BURGLARY, RAPE, PHYSICAL ASSAULT, HIJACKING, ACCIDENT or any traumatic event, it is important to seek psychological assistance. Research shows that help should be obtained within 24-72 hours after the traumatic event in order to successfully process the negative feelings.
When traumatic experiences are not dealt with effectively they can sometimes manifest in unhealthy ways later (e.g. irrational feelings of anger or depression). Severe reactions to unresolved trauma can lead to a condition called PTSD and this is often more difficult to treat.
Sometimes you only need one or two sessions to deal with the traumatic experience, although more may be necessary depending on the severity of the trauma.
Nominal rates are applicable. Please phone for details.
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