Melissa

Mrs Melissa Cawood

Counselor

“I am a registered counsellor with experience in working with children who have special educational needs.”

About Me

I support children with special educational needs, helping them navigate their unique world. Our sessions offer a safe space for young minds to explore feelings. We use creative ways, like drawing or play, to help them express difficult feelings. This approach builds confidence and gives children practical tools for everyday life. I aim to help your child thrive, offering support for them and your family.

Approach

Often work begins with play or a drawing and then gently moves toward naming feelings so children feel understood rather than overwhelmed. In Johannesburg I offer sessions in English and Afrikaans, paced to suit each child and involving parents when helpful to keep progress steady between meetings. I use creative, hands-on activities alongside brief assessments and trauma-sensitive conversations to help build coping skills and clearer communication. Families seeking practical, supportive ways to help a child feel more confident usually find this approach helpful.
Contact Melissa

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person

Services

Services Offered:

  • Art Therapy

    A form of therapy that uses visual art-making (drawing, painting, sculpture) as a means of expression and emotional processing.

    Learn more about Art Therapy
  • Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

  • Counseling

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

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Crisis Counseling

    Immediate, short-term psychological support during an acute mental health crisis such as a panic episode, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming distress.

  • Trauma Counseling

    Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.

    Learn more about Trauma Counseling
  • 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
  • Supervision

    Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.

    Learn more about Supervision
  • Support Groups

    Facilitated groups of people with shared experiences who meet regularly to listen, share, and support one another.

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Children
  • Communities
  • Groups
  • Individuals
  • Organisations
  • Parents
  • Under Fives

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.

  • Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • 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
  • Anger

    An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.

    Learn more about Anger
  • ADHD / Attention

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention
  • Grief & Loss

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.

    Learn more about Grief & Loss
  • Child Behaviour

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

  • Divorce Counseling

    Counselling for individuals or couples going through separation or divorce, addressing the emotional, practical, and relational dimensions.

  • Trauma Therapy

    Therapeutic approaches specifically designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences.

    Learn more about Trauma Therapy
  • 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:

  • Counselor

    A trained professional who provides talk therapy to help clients work through emotional, relational, and psychological difficulties.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

Registered Counsellor

Qualifications

University of Johannesburg

Service Areas

Private Practice

In-person

Benoni

Johannesburg, Gauteng

South Africa