Kirsten

Kirsten Barnardt

Clinical Psychologist

“I provide short- and longer-term individual therapy for adults across South Africa through my online private practice. My aim is to understand the concerns that bring you to therapy within the broader context of your life and strengths, and to work collaboratively with you towards meaningful change. I integrate evidence-based methods - including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and metacognitive approaches - with interventions such as EMDR where clinically appropriate. By combining insight with practical coping strategies, I help clients build resilience, manage distress, and work toward the changes they seek. ”

About Me

I’m Kirsten Barnardt, a registered Clinical Psychologist (HPCSA) providing evidence-based psychological therapy for adults, delivered in a safe, respectful, and confidential online environment. I draw from a range of well-established therapeutic approaches to support clients navigating difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, loss, and challenges in relationships, as well as those seeking personal growth and self-understanding. My work is informed by ongoing clinical practice and current psychological research, and I aim to tailor therapy to each person’s unique context and goals.

Approach

In the early stages of therapy, I focus on helping clients gain insight into the life events and patterns that may be contributing to current challenges. At the same time, I believe it’s equally important to identify personal strengths and explore how these can be used to move toward meaningful change. These elements form the foundation of a therapy plan that is both thoughtful and practical. As therapy progresses, clients often begin to develop new ways of coping, gradually replacing patterns that no longer serve them. I aim to strike a balance between reflection and learning practical tools to manage distress and improve overall wellbeing.
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Basic Information

Online Only

Services

My approach to therapy with adults is grounded in evidence-based practice and personalised to fit each client’s needs. After an initial assessment phase, we co-create a treatment plan that draws on the most effective interventions for your situation. I work with both short-term, focused strategies that help with immediate concerns and longer-term therapy when deeper exploration is beneficial. Commonly used approaches in my work include: • Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) • Psychodynamic Therapy • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Across these methods, my focus is on creating a collaborative, supportive space where you feel heard and understood, and where therapeutic work is tailored to your goals and needs.

Services Offered:

  • Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal psychological testing to identify conditions, understand cognitive and emotional functioning, and guide treatment planning.

  • CBT

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

    Learn more about CBT
  • 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
  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.

    Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Therapy

    Professional treatment for mental health concerns, providing a structured space for insight, emotional processing, and behavioural change.

    Learn more about Therapy
  • 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
  • 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

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Professional Title:

  • Clinical Psychologist

    An advanced mental health professional trained to assess and treat a wide range of difficulties, from anxiety and depression to trauma and complex conditions.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council Of South Africa (HPCSA); Board of Health Funders (BHF)

Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications

University of Stellenbosch

Service Areas

Barnardt and Fleming Private Practice

Online Only

Cape Town

South Africa