Ingrid

Mrs Ingrid Pollak, BSW

Psychotherapist

“Warm, practical psychotherapist and social worker who helps unravel human challenges from a physical, emotional & spiritual perspective.”

About Me

This warm, practical psychotherapist and social worker helps individuals navigate complex human challenges. They compassionately unravel issues from physical, emotional, and spiritual perspectives. Through somatic therapy, they guide you to understand how experiences manifest in your body. This integrative approach suits those seeking a holistic path to wellbeing. It offers a gentle space to connect mind and body, fostering deep understanding and lasting change.

Approach

You’ll be invited to notice where feelings live in your body, gently translating sensations into clearer meaning and practical steps. In Johannesburg or online, in English, Hebrew or Portuguese, sessions are steady and paced to your tolerance, with room for quiet tracking and small experiments between meetings. I use focused attention, gentle body-based techniques and reflective dialogue to surface patterns from trauma, grief or chronic illness and to shift how you respond day to day. This way of working often helps those seeking grounded, embodied change that honours spiritual values.
Contact Ingrid

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

  • Advocacy

    Services that help individuals navigate healthcare, education, or social systems to ensure their mental health needs are recognised and met.

    Learn more about Advocacy
  • Brainspotting

    A therapy that uses fixed eye positions to access and process unresolved trauma stored in the brain and body.

    Learn more about Brainspotting
  • Trauma Counseling

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

    Learn more about Trauma Counseling
  • Hypnosis

    A therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to access the subconscious mind and facilitate positive change.

    Learn more about Hypnosis
  • Relationship Counseling

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

  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • Psychotherapy

    In-depth therapeutic work that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting psychological change.

    Learn more about Psychotherapy
  • EMDR

    Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, a therapy that uses guided eye movements to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories.

    Learn more about EMDR
  • 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
  • Somatic Psychotherapy

    A form of therapy focused on the connection between mind and body, using body awareness and movement to release held tension, trauma, and emotion.

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Groups
  • Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • Anxiety

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

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • 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
  • Chronic Illness

    A long-term health condition (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disease, chronic pain) that persists over time and affects physical, emotional, and social well-being.

    Learn more about Chronic Illness
  • PTSD

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that develops after a traumatic event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

    Learn more about PTSD
  • 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
  • Spiritual or Faith-Based Counseling

    Counselling that integrates spiritual or religious beliefs into the therapeutic process for people who want faith to be part of their healing.

  • 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

Professional Title:

  • Psychotherapist

    A professional trained to provide in-depth therapy that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting change.

Credentials

Registrations

South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)

Psychotherapist; Social Worker

Registration: 10-40324

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Reiki Association of South Africa

Reiki Master practioner

SAHI

Hypnotherapist

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Year: 2015

Reiki Master

Soul Healing Academy

Year: 2007

Hypnotherapy

South African Institute of Hypnosis

Year: 2021

Trauma Incident Reduction

TIR Institute

Year: 2021

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Level II

EMDR South Africa

Year: 2019

Service Areas

Inner Essence Holistic Therapies

In-person & Online

Orange Grove

Johannesburg, Gauteng

South Africa

Orange Grove, Johannesburg, South Africa