A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living – Virginia Wolff

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Services

Child Therapy

 

Play is a child’s most natural form of expression. For this reason, I use play therapy when working with children between ages 3 to 12 years as it provides access to each child’s unique world. During a play therapy session, the child has access to different play therapy modalities in the play room, such as arts and crafts, clay play, puppets, sand tray miniatures and board games. Through engaging with the different forms of play in the safe and supportive environment of the play room, the child gets the opportunity to project his/her fears and unresolved issues on the toys and to experience a sense of control in dealing with it.

 

Play therapy is suitable for children with a wide variety of emotional and behavioural problems, such as (including but not limited to):

 

  • Behavioural problems (such as aggressive outbursts; refusal to attend school; bullying; lying)
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety disorders (such as separations anxiety; bedwetting)
  • Mood disorders and emotional regulation difficulties
  • Difficulties adjusting to life changes (such as after divorce/remarriage; relocation; illness)
  • Trauma (such as accidents; physical and sexual assault)
  • Loss and bereavement
  • Difficulties with self-esteem

 

Parental guidance sessions and feedback is provided throughout the process, to also ensure that parents feel informed and supported; and to extend the support of the child to his/her natural environment.

 

The number of sessions required will be determined by multiple factors, including, the presenting problem of the child, the personality of the child, and the time it takes for a therapeutic relationship to be established between the child and the psychologist. A minimum of six sessions is generally required.

Adolescent therapy

 

Adolescence can generally be described as the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood, usually between ages 13 to 18 years. Adolescence can be a time of disorientation due to, not only rapid physical development, but also cognitive, emotional and social development. This may leave the adolescent feeling confused and conflicted. This, together with high risk-taking behaviour related to exploring and shaping their own identity apart from that of their parents, places adolescents in a high-risk group. Support during this life stage is therefore essential. I therefore provide individual and relationship therapy for adolescents.

 

I work with adolescents that present with the following difficulties (including but not limited to):

 

  • A wide range of disorders: mood, anxiety, eating, personality, etc.
  • Substance abuse
  • Perinatal depression/distress
  • Self-harm/mutilation behaviours or suicidal thoughts
  • Trauma
  • Grief and loss
  • Emotional regulation difficulties (i.e. difficulty managing emotions, such as anger and sadness)
  • Study/exam difficulties and performance anxiety; procrastination and low motivation
  • Self-esteem difficulties
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Difficulties adjusting to life changes
  • Individuals seeking personal growth and greater self-knowledge

 

The number of sessions required will be determined by multiple factors, including, the presenting problem of the adolescent, the personality of the adolescent, and the time it takes for a therapeutic relationship to be established between the adolescent and the psychologist. A minimum of six sessions is generally required.

Individual adult therapy

 

I provide therapy for adults struggling with psychiatric diagnoses or conditions that cause psychological discomfort and impair functioning, problems of daily living, and/or with relational problems. Individual therapy may be indicated if you are experiencing difficulties such as (including but not limited to):

 

  • A wide range of disorders: mood, anxiety, personality, eating, etc.
  • Trauma
  • Self-harm/mutilation behaviours or suicidal thoughts
  • Emotional regulation difficulties (i.e. difficulty managing emotions, such as anger and anxiety)
  • Substance abuse
  • Relationship and communication difficulties
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Self-esteem difficulties
  • Grief and loss
  • Difficulties adjusting to life changes
  • Postnatal depression/stress
  • Individuals seeking personal growth and greater self-knowledge
  • Parental guidance

Relationship/Marital therapy

 

I work with couples at various stages of their relationships (relationship, premarital, marital, divorce). Within the framework of Imago Relationship Therapy, we normalize and make sense of the distress that happens between partners/spouses to gain insight into the hidden agenda of the relationship. By introducing tools such as the “Imago Dialogue”, couples move from blame and reactivity, to understanding and empathy, so they can create a deeper and loving connection with each other. In this manner, the process often moves from a sense of being stuck in a power struggle to a conscious adult relationship in which each partner feels heard. From this framework, a relationship/marriage is not a problem to be solved, but rather an adventure to be lived!

 

Relationship Therapy can be effective in assisting couples experiencing (included but not limited to):

 

  • Communication difficulties
  • Conflict
  • Infidelity
  • Maladaptive behavioural patterns/ ways of relating to each other
  • Dissatisfaction in the relationship
  • Life stage transitions (the birth of a child, retirement etc.)
  • A need to improve the overall quality of the relationship