Daniela

Daniela Sounes, MA

Clinical Psychologist

Verified

“Many of the people I work with feel overwhelmed, stuck, or caught in patterns that no longer serve them. They may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress or burnout, relationship difficulties, grief, or significant life transitions. Others seek therapy because they want to better understand themselves, their relationships, or recurring emotional challenges. Together, we create space to explore these experiences with curiosity and compassion.”

About Me

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I work collaboratively with each person to develop an individualised understanding of their experiences and the path forward that best supports their needs and goals.

Approach

My work is informed by a psychodynamic perspective, which means I'm interested not only in the difficulties someone is experiencing, but also in understanding how those difficulties have developed over time. While symptoms are important, I'm equally interested in the behaviours, relationships, and meanings that exist beneath them. At the same time, no two people are the same, so my approach is always guided by the individual sitting in front of me.
Contact Daniela

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person

Services

I work with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, and more complex presentations, including: - Anxiety, panic, and ongoing worry - Low mood, depression, and feeling emotionally shut down - Trauma and the lingering effects of difficult experiences - Emotional intensity, overwhelm, or feeling "stuck" - Confusion in relationships or repeated relational difficulties - Experiences that feel hard to explain or make sense of - Stress, burnout, and major life transitions - Questions around identity, self-worth, and direction - Psychological support for healthcare workers

Services Offered:

  • Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.

    Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
  • Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy
  • Individual Psychotherapy

    In-depth one-on-one therapy that explores the deeper roots of a person's difficulties, often drawing on psychodynamic or psychoanalytic models.

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.

    Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Psychoeducation

    Structured information provided about a mental health condition (what it is, why it occurs, and what strategies can help) as part of the therapeutic process.

    Learn more about Psychoeducation
  • Relationship Counselling

    Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

  • Trauma Counselling

    Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.

    Learn more about Trauma Counselling
  • DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

    A structured therapy that combines cognitive behavioural techniques with mindfulness, designed to help people regulate intense emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships.

  • Personality Difficulties & Diagnostic Assessment

    Assessment of long-standing patterns in thinking, feeling, and relating that cause persistent distress, used to clarify diagnosis and guide treatment.

  • Psychological & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal psychological testing to identify conditions, map a person's cognitive and emotional profile, and guide treatment planning.

    Learn more about Psychological & Diagnostic Assessment

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Elderly
  • Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Bipolar

    A mood disorder involving episodes of mania (abnormally elevated mood and energy) alternating with episodes of depression, affecting judgement, sleep, and daily functioning.

    Learn more about Bipolar
  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.

    Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement
  • Identity & Self-Image

    A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.

  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Personality Difficulties

    Long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to others that cause persistent distress or problems in relationships and daily life.

  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout

Professional Title:

  • Clinical Psychologist

    An advanced mental health professional trained to assess and treat a wide range of difficulties, from anxiety and depression to trauma and complex conditions.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

Clinical Psychologist (PS)

Registration: PS0162973

Verify License

Qualifications

MA in Clinical Psychology

University of the Witwatersrand

Year: 2023

BA Honours in Psychology

Rhodes University

Year: 2016

BA in Psychology, Philosophy, and Italian

University of the Witwatersrand

Year: 2015

Service Areas

Balance Point Wellness Center

In-person

Parkmore

Sandton, Gauteng 2191

South Africa

Parkmore, Sandton, South Africa