Katya Mendelson, MA

Dramatherapist

Verified

“My dramatherapy sessions work to provide clients with a safe, creative, and engaging space to explore internal landscapes, increase self-understanding, and generate growth. One of my main areas of focus is on supporting women and young people in finding equilibrium and self-confidence in a society that can often feel restrictive. ”

About Me

Registered both in the United Kingdom and South Africa, I have worked within a wide range of contexts. These include group and individual sessions with members of Cape Town's refugee and asylum seeker communities, with a focus on women and adolescents, and work with youth with chronic illness attending Groote Schuur Hospital. I also provide workshops for health care practitioners and other professionals who work with diverse client groups to facilitate increased cultural awareness.

Approach

My approach to therapy is asset-based and cognisant of cultural context. I work together with my clients to uncover strengths and skills they already possess yet may not have had the space to access previously. I also support exploration into how cultural context influences self-perception and daily interactions, and how to approach the roles each client embodies with flexibility and awareness.

Contact Katya

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Cape Town, South Africa

In-person & Online

Services

I provide group and individual sessions to clients of all ages, both online and in-person.

Services Offered:

Drama Therapy
A form of therapy that uses role-play, storytelling, and movement as tools for emotional expression and exploration.
Learn more about Drama Therapy
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
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
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
Corporate Workshops
Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.
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

Works With:

Groups
Individuals
Organisations
Adults
Communities
Children
Adolescents

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
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
Cross-Cultural
The psychological challenges of living between two or more cultures, including identity conflicts, acculturation stress, and difficulties with belonging.
Gender Identity & Self-Image
A person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth, and the distress or exploration that can accompany this.
Identity & Self-Image
A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.
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.
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.

Professional Title:

Dramatherapist
A therapist who uses drama, role-play, and storytelling to help clients explore emotions and develop new perspectives. No acting ability needed.