Karen

Mrs Karen Thiart

Registered Social Worker

“An experienced registered social worker in private practice providing support and guidance to individuals and families.”

About Me

As an experienced social worker, I offer a warm, confidential space. Individuals and families can find support here during challenging times. We work collaboratively to explore your concerns, strengthening connections and developing practical ways forward. My aim is to help you navigate difficulties with clarity, ensuring you feel truly heard. This approach is ideal for anyone seeking guidance to build resilience and create positive, lasting change.

Approach

My practice focuses on steady, practical collaboration that helps people and families make sense of difficult moments. In Pretoria I see clients in English and Afrikaans in a calm office, with appointment times arranged around school, work or caregiving demands. Sessions move at a measured pace: we name immediate concerns, set small achievable steps, and use brief check-ins to adjust strategies for dementia, stroke recovery, chronic illness or trauma-related needs. Many clients leave with clearer options, practical tools and renewed confidence to manage next steps.
Contact Karen

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person

Services

Services Offered:

  • Disability Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    A formal psychological evaluation to determine the nature and extent of a disability, often used for support planning or service access.

  • 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
  • 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
  • Stroke Support

    The psychological aftermath of a stroke, which can include emotional changes, cognitive difficulties, grief over lost abilities, and family adjustment.

  • 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
  • Group Therapy

    Therapy conducted with a small group of people who share similar concerns, using peer interaction and diverse perspectives as part of the healing process.

    Learn more about Group Therapy
  • Mindfulness

    The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.

    Learn more about Mindfulness
  • Social Work

    A profession that supports individuals and families with mental health, welfare, housing, and access to community resources.

    Learn more about Social Work
  • Geriatric Social Work

    Social work services for older adults, addressing access to care, housing, community resources, and emotional support in later life.

  • Support Groups

    Facilitated groups of people with shared experiences who meet regularly to listen, share, and support one another.

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Elderly
  • Families
  • Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Alzheimer's / Dementia

    A progressive brain disease that causes memory loss, confusion, and decline in thinking skills, eventually affecting the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

    Learn more about Alzheimer's / Dementia
  • Brain Injury

    Damage to the brain caused by external trauma or internal events (e.g., stroke), which can affect cognition, emotions, personality, and physical abilities.

    Learn more about Brain Injury
  • 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
  • Dementia

    A group of brain conditions causing progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning severe enough to interfere with daily life.

  • 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
  • Physical Disability

    A condition that limits physical functioning, mobility, or stamina, which can carry psychological impacts including adjustment, identity, and social challenges.

  • Parkinson's

    A progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes.

  • Stroke Support

    The psychological aftermath of a stroke, which can include emotional changes, cognitive difficulties, grief over lost abilities, and family adjustment.

  • Trauma Therapy

    Therapeutic approaches specifically designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences.

    Learn more about Trauma Therapy

Professional Title:

  • Registered Social Worker

    A social worker registered with a regulatory body to provide social work services including therapy and case management.

Credentials

Registrations

South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP); Saaswipp

Social Worker

Qualifications

University of Pretoria

University of Pretoria

Service Areas

Balance Therapy Centre

In-person

Willows

Pretoria, Gauteng

South Africa