Renier

Mr Renier Swart

Registered Counselor

A compassionate registered counsellor with a passion for anxiety, substance dependence and trauma.

About Me

On the surface, it seems like things are okay. Objectively you have the things that society says is suppose to make you happy - yet you are not happy. You are overwhelmed with anxiety and dissatisfaction. No matter what you do, or force yourself to do, you just don't find it in anything. The last time you felt true joy was as a child on the playground. It seems as if though everyone around you is doing extremely well, so what is wrong with you for not feeling the same. This feeling is more common than you think. You are not as alone as you might think. Just like you, I'm human. Having spent 6 years interacting with thousands of healthcare users, have I learnt the importance of genuine connection in the service I offer. Once the connection is established, it becomes easier to break through defenses that is holding you back. I work with an eclectic approach to ensure that my approach suites your needs. Tired of feeling like you aren't being listened to? You are saying one thing but people are hearing another? Tired of hearing "take deep breaths" when emotional? As someone who has lived experience with anxieties, I understand that most tools are short lived solutions. It does not feel like they work? Let me help you in a sustainable, long lasting, way.

Approach

Compassion shapes each session, where we gently uncover how anxiety, substance use and past harms influence daily choices and responses. I offer in-person work in Cape Town and sessions in Afrikaans or English online, keeping pace flexible to suit your life. Sessions blend focused conversation, practical coping skills and structured assessments when needed, with clear steps between meetings so you can practice and reflect. This way of working tends to help people seeking steady, collaborative support through change.
Contact Renier

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Services Offered:

  • Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

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

  • Advocacy

    Services that help individuals navigate healthcare, education, or social systems to ensure their mental health needs are recognised and met.

    Learn more about Advocacy
  • 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
  • Stress Management

    Techniques and strategies for managing the body and mind's response to excessive demands, including relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and lifestyle changes.

    Learn more about Stress Management

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Organisations

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • 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
  • 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
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • 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
  • Trauma Therapy

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

    Learn more about Trauma Therapy

Professional Title:

  • Registered Counselor

    A counselor who is formally registered with a professional or regulatory body.

Qualifications


Midrand Graduate Institute

Registrations


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

Registered Counsellor

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

Registered Counsellor

Service Area


Renier Swart Registered Counsellor

In-person & Online

Ridgeworth

Cape Town, Western Cape 7530

South Africa