Gerhard

Dr Gerhard Schwär, PhD

Counseling Psychologist

Verified

“Hi there! Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, either individually or as a couple, you can receive support and guidance from a psychologist and psychology lecturer with over 35 years of experience, including training psychologists. While therapy is meaningful and serious work, I also believe there is room for warmth and laughter along the way. ”

About Me

My journey began as a Life Orientation teacher in Namibia, which was my first professional role. After three years, I went on to teach psychology at the former University of Port Elizabeth, followed by five years teaching psychology to Grade 10 students in England. Back in South Africa, I taught psychology at the former Vista University in Daveyton, where I also opened my first private practice in 1990. After my time at Vista, I taught at University of Johannesburg for around 11 years until my formal retirement from academic employment. Since then, I have continued running my private practice from my home in Benoni, and I still find deep fulfilment in this work. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing clients leave a session feeling lighter, more hopeful, and equipped with practical ways to approach life differently.

Approach

I work using Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), two effective approaches for helping you move through feelings of being stuck, whether that’s stress, relationship difficulties, anger, frustration, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression.
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Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

I specialise in helping you become more of the person you want to be and move toward the life you want to live, rather than feeling stuck in where you are right now. This process can support you whether you are facing depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, work-related stress, draining relationships, grief, or simply a sense of being stuck and unsure of the way forward.

Services Offered:

  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Psychology

    The scientific study and clinical practice of understanding the mind, emotions, and behaviour, applied to promote healthier functioning.

    Learn more about Psychology
  • 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
  • Relationship Counseling

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

  • Supervision

    Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.

    Learn more about Supervision

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Elderly
  • Individuals
  • Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Grief & Loss

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.

    Learn more about Grief & Loss
  • 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
  • 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
  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Self-Esteem

    A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.

    Learn more about Self-Esteem
  • 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
  • Anger

    An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.

    Learn more about Anger
  • Forgiveness

    The psychological process of releasing resentment or anger toward someone who has caused harm, a complex emotional journey rather than a simple decision.

  • Personal Development

    The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.

Professional Title:

  • Counseling Psychologist

    A psychologist who helps people with everyday life challenges (relationships, work stress, adjustment) as well as mental health conditions.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council Of South Africa (HPCSA); Board of Health Funders (BHF)

Counseling (independent Practice

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Psychological Society of South Africa

Psychologist

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Vista University

Year: 2003

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MA (Couns Psych))

University of Stellenbosch

Year: 1985

Service Areas

Gerhard Schwär

In-person & Online

Morehill

Benoni, Gauteng

South Africa

Morehill, Benoni, South Africa