About Me
As a qualified Educational Psychologist, working in school and community settings for over 15 years, entrenched in deep intergenerational and political trauma, I came across the work of Bessel Van Der Kolk in 2016 — pioneer, researcher, and author of the bestselling book “The Body Keeps The Score”.
This was a life-changing and career-changing experience for me. I began to explore and research the neuroscience of trauma, and I implemented this ground-breaking work into my interactions with the severely traumatized and amazingly resilient communities with whom I had the privilege of working.
And the impact was profound.
These past years have amalgamated into my professional development as a psychotherapist: I have since Certified as a Trauma Therapist through the International
Trauma Institute, and I have trained as a Level 1 Internal Family Systems [IFS] Psychotherapist, through the Institute of Internal Family Systems I also have the continued privilege of participating in immersive and intensive training opportunities with many of the pioneers in the global trauma field, and I have opened up a private practice as a Trauma-Informed Psychotherapist, working exclusively with the child/teen/young adult population.
The family system is an integral part of the therapeutic journey, and caregivers are encouraged to be a part of the healing work.
Is your child struggling to identify and integrate the internal systems necessary for leading a self-aware and self-regulated life? Is this impacting on their social, emotional and scholastic development: Are there regular tantrums, ‘meltdowns’, acts of defiance and opposition – both at home and at school?
Has there been increased avoidance of school and schoolwork? Does your child/teen struggle to concentrate, to follow instructions, to control their impulses? Has there been a sudden or gradual change in mood and/or academic performance? Are you a parent or caregiver seeking guidance and support in the management of a dysregulated and wounded child/family system?
In the therapy space, an integrative approach will be used, with a focus on trauma- informed approaches to psychotherapy, and in particular, the Internal Family Systems [IFS] model.
In IFS, presenting symptoms, such as withdrawal, anxiety, self-harm, and substance use) are viewed as system protectors that need attentive healing, rather than pathologies that need repair.
We work with these protectors, and guide the young person in exploring their own internal system – all the parts inside that help them to manage, survive, to cope — without labels, diagnoses, judgment or agenda
Some presenting symptoms/protectors that may come forward are:
Withdrawal, Impulsivity , Disconnection, Disordered Eating, Substance Use, Self-Harm, Suicide Ideation, Depression, Anxiety, Excessive Gaming, Dissociation ‘Zoning out’, Overwhelm, Procrastination, Low Motivation, Aggression, Meltdowns, Emotional Outbursts / ‘Clingy’, Night Terrors, School Avoidance, Learning Difficulties, Changes in Academic Performance / Gaps in Learning.
What to expect?
- An initial 90-minute in-depth parent/caregiver consultation.
- 2 – 3 initial explorative sessions with child/teen client.
- Follow up / touch base caregiver session/s.
- A treatment plan involving a client-centred and family-systems approach.
- Continuation of client sessions in accordance with a treatment plan.
- Termination Session, family consultation, establishing a way forward.
Based on the needs of the individual client
certain interventions will be explored during the therapeutic journey, such as:
- Exploration and Healing of Wounds (IFS)
- Mind-body / self-regulation techniques (TSY)
- Brain-based learning strategies and support
- Educator support and guidance
- Family mediation/support (IFS / FST
Various Therapeutic Modalities
will be integrated in the treatment approach, including:
- IFS (Internal Family Systems)
- TF-CBT (Trauma-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Mind-Body Connection
- Sandtray Therapy
Family guidance and support is provided and encouraged throughout the therapeutic process.
Collaboration and compassion are key components of the healing process.
The child/teen brain is in a fragile developmental stage, and therefore equipping them and ourselves with tools to bring harmony and peace into their inner and outer systems is of great importance
Additional Credentials and Certification
- IFS L1 Trained Psychotherapist (IFS L1) [Institute of Internal Family Systems]
- Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTSI) [Trauma Institute
International] - Trauma Informed Certificate: Course 1 [Community Resilience Initiative]
- Clinical Application of the Internal Family Systems Theory [Certified
Course; PESI] - Sand Tray and Applied Sand Tray Therapy [Red Shoe Play Therapy
Training Centre] - 200 hour Integral Yoga Teacher Training [Chaitanya School of Yoga]
- 20 hour Yoga 4 Kids Teacher Training [Yoga4Kids South Africa]
- Level 1 Brain Working Recursive Therapy – BWRT [Institute of Brain
Working Recursive Therapy] - Advanced Course in Play Therapy – Centre for Play Therapy and Training