Jacqui

Ms Jacqui Hackett

Professional Counselor

I am a counsellor, life coach, registered nurse and Licensed Sensory Intelligence® Practitioner offering warm, practical and neuroaffirming support to individuals, couples and families. I help clients navigate relationships, anxiety, burnout, neurodivergence and life transitions while developing greater self-understanding, emotional wellbeing and healthier connections.

This therapist profile is temporarily paused

Browse our list of available therapists to find someone who can help you.

Blue mascot character

Find A Therapist Near You

Finding therapists near you...

About Me

I am a counsellor, life coach, registered nurse and Licensed Sensory Intelligence® Practitioner with a genuine passion for helping people understand themselves and one another more deeply. My professional training, combined with my own life experiences have shaped the compassionate, realistic and deeply human way in which I work. I understand that people are complex and that emotional wellbeing is influenced by relationships, family dynamics, physical health, sensory needs, past experiences and the environments in which we live and work. I therefore look beyond symptoms and behaviours to understand the whole person and what may be happening beneath the surface. I bring warmth, compassion, humour and honesty into my sessions, creating a space where clients can feel accepted without judgement. I value the individuality, strengths and personal story of every person who enters my practice. I believe that meaningful change begins when we feel safe enough to understand ourselves with greater curiosity and compassion. It is a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they develop deeper self-awareness, strengthen their relationships and create lives that feel more authentic, balanced and fulfilling.

Approach

My approach is integrative, neuroaffirming and tailored to each person, couple or family. I draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, Attachment Theory, CBT, solution-focused techniques and trauma-informed practice. As a Licensed Sensory Intelligence® Practitioner, I also help clients understand how their unique sensory preferences influence their emotions, relationships, energy, work and everyday wellbeing. I combine thoughtful emotional exploration with practical strategies that can be applied in daily life. Rather than trying to “fix” people, I help clients understand themselves, recognise their strengths and identify what they need to function well. Together, we develop a way forward that feels authentic, manageable and sustainable.
Contact Jacqui

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

I provide counselling and coaching for individuals, couples, parents, families, teenagers and young adults. I support clients experiencing relationship difficulties, anxiety, low mood, burnout, codependency, family challenges, trauma, life transitions and workplace stress. I have a special interest in ADHD, autism, sensory processing and the experiences of neurodivergent individuals and families. Couples counselling focuses on communication, recurring conflict, emotional connection, trust, boundaries and relationship repair. I also offer neuroaffirming parenting support to help families understand behaviour, reduce conflict and strengthen connection. My Sensory Matrix™ service provides an in-depth assessment of your sensory identity, followed by personalised feedback and practical recommendations for improving wellbeing, relationships and functioning at home and work. Sessions are available from my private practice in Kirstenhof, Cape Town, and online.

Services Offered:

  • Coaching

    A goal-oriented practice focused on identifying objectives, overcoming obstacles, and taking action, centred on the present and future rather than past difficulties.

  • 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
  • Crisis Counseling

    Immediate, short-term psychological support during an acute mental health crisis such as a panic episode, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming distress.

  • Divorce Counseling

    Counselling for individuals or couples going through separation or divorce, addressing the emotional, practical, and relational dimensions.

  • Family Therapy

    A form of therapy that works with family members together to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships within the family system.

    Learn more about Family Therapy
  • Relationship Counseling

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

  • 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

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Individuals
  • Groups
  • Organisations
  • Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • ADHD / Attention

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention
  • Autism (ASD)

    A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.

  • 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
  • Divorce Counseling

    Counselling for individuals or couples going through separation or divorce, addressing the emotional, practical, and relational dimensions.

  • Relationship Counseling

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

  • Codependency

    A relational pattern in which a person's sense of identity and self-worth becomes excessively tied to caring for or controlling another person, often at their own expense.

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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:

  • Professional Counselor

    A counselor qualified to provide professional mental health counselling services.

Credentials

Registrations

South African Nursing Council (SANC)

Counsellor, Registered Nurse

Verify License

Qualifications

Bachelor of Nursing

University of Cape Town

Year: 1997

Life Coach

South African College of Applied Psychology

Year: 2013

NQF Level 6 Diploma in Counselling

SACAP (SA College of Applied Psych)

Year: 2013

Service Areas

Jacqui Hackett Counselling and Life Coaching

In-person & Online

Cape Town, Western Cape

South Africa

Facebook iconLinkedIn icon

Cape Town, South Africa