Dr Mariska Pienaar
Counseling Psychologist
“My primary aim is to provide that one, unique space where you are able to fully be yourself, be seen for who you are, and have your true self understood, affirmed, and valued. I aim to provide an open, non-judgmental, warm, and empathic environment within which clients can feel safe while journeying unknown waters.”
About Me
Approach
Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.
Services
Services Offered:
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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.
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Psychology
The scientific study and clinical practice of understanding the mind, emotions, and behaviour, applied to promote healthier functioning.
Learn more about Psychology - •
Psychodynamic Therapy
A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.
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CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
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Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
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Stress Management
Techniques and strategies for managing the body and mind's response to excessive demands, including relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and lifestyle changes.
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Supervision
Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.
Learn more about Supervision
Works With:
- •Adolescents
- •Adults
- •Elderly
- •Families
Area of Expertise
Scope of Practice:
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Life Transitions
Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.
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Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
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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 - •
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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 - •
Young Adult Issues
The unique psychological challenges of emerging adulthood (18–25), including identity formation, independence, relationship navigation, and finding direction.
Learn more about Young Adult Issues
Professional Title:
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Counseling Psychologist
A psychologist who helps people with everyday life challenges (relationships, work stress, adjustment) as well as mental health conditions.
Qualifications
University of Kwazulu-Natal; University of the Western Cape
Registrations
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
Counseling Psychologist
Service Area
