Mrs Rene Pfaff

Registered Psychologist

“René Pfaff completed a BA (cum laude), BA Hons (cum laude) and MA Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She has been a registered Counselling Psychologist for the past 30 years. After completing her Masters Degree in Psychology she spent time at a School for Learning Disabled learners, various colleges, universities and organisations after which she started her private practice. ”

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About Me

René Pfaff completed a BA (cum laude), BA Hons (cum laude) and MA Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She has been a registered Counselling Psychologist for the past 230years. After completing her Masters Degree in Psychology she spent time at a School for Learning Disabled learners, various colleges, universities and organisations after which she started her private practice. She assists clients to gain insight into themselves and others. She works together with her clients to work through and eliminate barriers and self-limiting beliefs in order for each individual and family to become the successful and happy people that they were all meant to be. Her aim in therapy is to assist to others to change self-destructive behaviours and habits, build skills, work through painful emotions and improve overall quality of life and relationships. She aims to offers a confidential, safe and supportive environment where each person can talk openly and freely while receiving individualised guidance towards recovery and change. She has a special interest in relationship counselling and work regularly to assist couples, families and teams to improve communication, resolve conflicts and address trust issues to thereby creative more positive and meaningful future interaction between all parties involved. “I have a passion for unleashing each unique individual’s full potential whilst allowing them to fully enjoy and cherish all aspects of the gift called “life”. She is married and mother to 3 children, Danée, Darius and Ruben. René lives and practices in Somerset West. She works in Afrikaans and English. Rene is contracted to all medical aids but also offers discounted cash rates for those who need to pay privately. Rene is an Advanced BWRT® Level 2 practitioner and an Ericksonian Hypnotherapist. She works from a Psychodynamic approach but also uses CBT , Narrative Therapy , TAT and Systems Therapy as needed.

Approach

Her aim in therapy is to assist to others to change self-destructive behaviours and habits, build skills, work through painful emotions and improve overall quality of life and relationships. She aims to offers a confidential, safe and supportive environment where each person can talk openly and freely while receiving individualised guidance towards recovery and change. She has a special interest in relationship counselling and work regularly to assist couples, families and teams to improve communication, resolve conflicts and address trust issues to thereby creative more positive and meaningful future interaction between all parties involved. “I have a passion for unleashing each unique individual’s full potential whilst allowing them to fully enjoy and cherish all aspects of the gift called “life”.

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Basic Information

Somerset West, South Africa

In-person & Online

Services

Psychometric Assessments Assessments done for school readiness, scholastic difficulties, ADHD, career guidance, personality insight or emotional difficulties as well as for recruitment and appointment purposes. Career Counselling The Career Counselling Process assists the individual to identify all their unique and specific interests, personal qualities, aptitudes, values, preferences and talents. Only when you make career decisions that are in line with this, will it ensure sustainable job satisfaction. Career Counselling is given to high school students and adults. Hypnotherapy Hypnosis is used as one of my therapy tools if and when I agree with the client that it may support the therapy process. It is fully explained and the process is always managed by the client. Hypnosis is best described as an altered state of consciousness, a changed state of awareness, concentration and perception. During the experience of hypnosis, the person remains in complete control and should they ever feel uncomfortable because of the experience, they can always reopen their eyes and terminate the intervention. Everyone at some point or another has experienced hypnosis. One experiences hypnosis when one misses an exit while driving or when one is so engrossed watching TV or reading a book that even a person talking will nor distract one from one’s activities. Hypnosis is a very powerful tool to facilitate healing, to break negative habits or thinking and to bring about positive change. BWRT® – BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® An immensely effective technique that can often dissolve mind-related problems far more quickly than traditional methods. It is a new model of psychology and psychopathology that fits with current thinking on neuroscience. It help effect permanent change in a very short period of time. It differs from many other types of therapy, because it can be undertaken content free. What this means to you is that if you have a problem that you would feel uncomfortable or unable to talk about all the details then you do not need to. BWRT tends to move away from the traditional pathology model of psychology where there is focussed on what is wrong with a person. It rather focuses on where you want to be but just haven’t been able to. Rene Pfaff is an accredited Level 2 BWRT® Practitioner. For more on this therapy click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=tzob8RGB4DY&feature=emb_logo Relationship Counselling We offer Relationship Counselling, Marriage preparation & Family Therapy with a very practical, tool-based underpinning to ensure that all changes and new ways of communication, conflict management, trust and interaction can be transferred to daily life. Pre-marital counselling Couples/ Marriage counselling Pre or post divorce interventions Family therapy Children When working with children I foster a bond with both the child and parent. Depending on the age of the child I will utilise different techniques and will involve the parents, family members and school if and when appropriate. I work in the areas of: Learning Difficulties ADHD/ADD Autism Behavioural Problems Emotional Difficulties Play Therapy Study Methods Divorce Support Social Skills & Friendships Adolescents / Teenagers When working with adolescents, the young person is my main client as confidentiality and trust remains vital to our relationship. We go on a journey together to enable the young person to face the difficult challenges that teenagers face over these years. Parents, family members or the school may be involved depending on the age and issue we work with. The adolescent steers this process and ultimately walks away with a new perspective and life skills. I often work with Self Esteem Peer Pressure & friendship DepressionEating Disorders Self Mutilation (cutting) Relationship problems Academic & school problems Adults When working with adults I draw from a variety of therapeutic models and tools to best assist the individual in their specific circumstances. The aim is to build a trusting and comfortable relationship from where we can explore, gain insight and build. Each individual should ultimately feel that they receive the required support to face current challenges and that they leave with the required tools and capabilities to manage their situation independently into the future Parental Guidance Emotional Difficulties including Depression Grief Anxiety, Stress, Burnout and panic attacks Anger issues Fobias/ fears Weight loss & lifestyle changes Divorce or relationship Support Career or work-life issues

Services Offered:

Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.
Brain Working Recursive Therapy
A therapy that works with the brain's natural response patterns to change unwanted reactions before they reach conscious awareness.
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
Relationship Counseling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
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
Hypnosis
A therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to access the subconscious mind and facilitate positive change.
Learn more about Hypnosis
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
Family Therapy
A form of therapy that works with family members together to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships within the family system.
Learn more about Family Therapy
Relationship Counselling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Learn more about CBT

Works With:

Adolescents
Adults
Children
Couples
Families

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
ADHD / Attention
A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about ADHD / Attention
Autism (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.
Behaviour or Conduct Issues
Persistent patterns of defiant, aggressive, or rule-breaking behaviour in children or adolescents that significantly disrupt home, school, or social life.
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
Family Issues
Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.
Learning or Development Difficulties
Conditions that affect a person's ability to acquire, process, or apply information, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or intellectual disability, impacting education and daily life.
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
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