Mrs Lara Rust, BA

Individual (Adult) Counselling At some point in their lives, individuals seek outside support, sensing that something is not right in their lives. Counselling can provide many benefits and just beginning the process of counselling can help ease some of the isolation we can all feel when confronted with difficulties in our lives. In individual sessions, we'll work together to develop positive attitudes towards life's most complex and challenging circumstances. I will work with you as we dive into any current problems you are experiencing in order to improve behavioural patterns, while helping you to "re-frame" your thoughts, feelings and reactions. Working together, you will begin to develop empathy and compassion for what feels stuck or painful in your life. Adolescents For teenagers, it's a tough world, navigating social relationships, digital worlds and pressures, self-esteem and body image, academic pressure and differentiating oneself from the family. During the uncertain and confusing years of adolescence, teenagers have a strong desire to express themselves, sometimes resisting authority and being wary of talking to adults. Emotions get bottled up and expressed in angry outbursts and other unhealthy ways. Teenager stressors can include things like a move, divorce, conflict, abuse or trauma. I work with teenagers that are struggling to understand, fit in and communicate with their family or struggling with daily teenage pressures. I use age appropriate, creative, and expressive methods that allow an outlet for teenagers to process their feelings, emotions, fears, hopes and dreams. This results in teenagers having a greater self-understanding of themselves and their families and they are able to start feeling more well-adjusted at home, school and with their peers. I work with a wide range of issues including but not limited to bullying, anxiety, self-harm, trauma, grief and loss, illness, social skills, and self-esteem. Psychometric Assessments I offer Career Guidance Assessments as well as School Readiness Assessments. A career assessment can be a beneficial tool for individuals who are trying to decide on a study or career path, whether it be a high school student, university student or an adult wanting to embark on a new career field altogether. The Career Guidance incorporates career counselling as well as a battery of various psychometric assessment measures. Feedback is given in a feedback consultation, together with a comprehensive report. Group assessments at different schools can be arranged. School Readiness Assessments for children helps to facilitate decision making regarding school readiness for Grade R students. When a child is ready to learn, schooling is more successful. School readiness is measured by conducting a comprehensive school readiness assessment. This includes an assessment of perceptual, spatial, reasoning, numerical, Gestalt, co-ordination, memory, fine–motor and verbal readiness for school. The aim of the assessment is to assist you and the school to help your child to be optimally ready for Grade 1. Feedback is given in a feedback consultation, together with a comprehensive report. I offer both online and in-person counselling. Much like in-person sessions, online sessions during lockdown offer you an opportunity to have time in the week solely dedicated to you, your emotional growth and healing, from the comfort of your home.