Karla

Karla Cloete

Registered Counselor

You're ready to feel understood, and learn tools that actually help. I aim to create a space where you don’t have to perform or "have it to together" I believe change happens when we feel seen and safe. In our sessions, I combine techniques, psycho-education, and strengths-based strategies to build emotional skills, increase insight, and support growth. Choosing a counsellor is a big step- and it matters that you feel a connection. If anything here resonated with you, please feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to answer any questions or set up a free brief phone consultation to see if we're a good fit. You don't have to do this alone!

About Me

I’m an HPCSA Registered Counsellor in the heart of Pretoria and the founder of Counselling with KC. I am an English and Afrikaans-speaker. Firstly, my counselling style is person-centered, neuro-affirmative, and collaborative. In my work, I support individuals of all ages, especially children, students, families, and creatives. I additionally work with those navigating life transitions, worry and trauma. I have always believed in making mental health support accessible, evidence-based, and grounded in compassion. Besides this, I’m the co-founder and director of the Together Project, a community-based NPO offering art-based psychosocial support in vulnerable communities in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Through this work, I’ve consequently trained and supervised over 40 volunteers, facilitated GBV prevention programs, and run group workshops across diverse settings. I’ve worked in schools, universities and NGOs. I’m trained in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care, and I use techniques from CBT, and play-based modalities. Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child, a student feeling overwhelmed, or an individual seeking a space to process and grow – you’re welcome here!

Approach

You’ll notice early that I move at a practical, steady pace, naming what feels most immediate and useful and keeping our focus clear. Sessions blend focused conversation with brief, reflective exercises and checkpoint summaries, paced to the rhythm you bring and adjusted as we learn what helps. Between meetings I suggest small, collaborative tasks to test shifts in real life, then we review what changed and what felt doable. This approach fits people seeking clear steps, honest feedback, and gradual, sustainable change.
Contact Karla

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person

Services

Services Offered:

  • BWRT (Brain Working Recursive Therapy)

    A therapy that works with the brain's natural response patterns to change unwanted reactions before they reach conscious awareness.

  • CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT
  • Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • Crisis Support & Counselling

    Emergency emotional support and counselling for people in acute psychological distress, available at the point of need.

    Learn more about Crisis Support & Counselling
  • Counselling

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

    Learn more about Counselling
  • Online Counselling

    Counselling conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging, providing professional support remotely.

    Learn more about Online Counselling
  • 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
  • Play Therapy

    A therapy for children that uses play as a natural form of communication, allowing them to express feelings and process difficult experiences.

    Learn more about Play Therapy
  • 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
  • Skills Training

    Structured programmes that teach practical coping and life skills, such as emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

    Learn more about Skills Training

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Children
  • 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
  • Cancer Support

    The psychological and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis on the individual and their loved ones, including fear, grief, and adjustment to treatment.

  • Child Behaviour

    Behavioural difficulties in children, such as tantrums, aggression, withdrawal, or defiance, that signal emotional distress or developmental needs.

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Women's Issues

    Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.

  • 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
  • Shame

    A deep, painful emotion involving the belief that one is fundamentally flawed or unworthy, which can affect self-perception and relationships.

    Learn more about Shame
  • 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

Professional Title:

  • Registered Counselor

    A counselor who is formally registered with a professional or regulatory body.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

Registered Counsellor

Verify License

Qualifications

Bspych equivalent honours

SACAP

Year: 2023

Service Areas

In-person

Waterkloof

Pretoria, Gauteng 0145

South Africa

Waterkloof, Pretoria, South Africa