Dr Shahieda Jansen, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

“Personal growth grounded in lived experiences of boys & men sometimes require breaking with traditional therapy to move things forward”

About Me

A sense of belonging is the foundation from which personal growth and unique lived experiences arise. That is where men's groups offer a male world in which boys and men can see themselves mirrored in the eyes of other boys and men. This approach suits those ready to challenge conventional ideas, building resilience on their own terms.

Approach

Individual and team-based sessions shift between practical problem-solving and gentle examination of how past experiences shape current patterns. I offer appointments in Observatory Cape Town and online, in English or Afrikaans. I speak basic isiXhosa, so I am able to hear a bit of nguni (Xhosa and Zulu), although I am more fluent in an African worldview. Therapeutic work often includes short experiments (homework) between sessions, clear skill-building, and straightforward feedback. This way of working tends to suit boys and men ready to test new ways of responding while keeping therapy grounded and usable.

Contact Shahieda

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Cape Town, South Africa

In-person & Online

Services

I am a specialist in translating therapy into local traditions. That includes aligning therapy with an indigenous African perspective. I work practically with a relational understanding of persons – the Umoya self, in short. I also integrate Islamic and Christian principles for clients who prefer that their personal growth be integrated with their religious practices. For boys and men I translate therapy into masculine lived experiences. Lastly, I am a specialist in small group dynamics. I am skilled at facilitating transformation both individually and collectively in small and large groups, therapy groups, and corporate and organisational groups.

Services Offered:

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.
Addiction Counselling
Counselling specifically focused on substance use or behavioural addictions, addressing the psychological drivers and patterns of dependence.
Learn more about Addiction Counselling
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
Community Psychology
A branch of psychology that addresses mental health at the community level, focusing on social factors like poverty, inequality, and access to services.
Conflict Management
Structured approaches to resolving disputes and improving communication between people in conflict, whether in relationships, families, or workplaces.
Corporate Workshops
Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.
Counselling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counselling
Crisis Counselling
Immediate, short-term psychological support during an acute mental health crisis such as a panic episode, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming distress.
Learn more about Crisis Counselling
Crisis Support & Counselling
Emergency emotional support and counselling for people in acute psychological distress, available at the point of need.
Learn more about Crisis Support & Counselling

Works With:

Adults
Families
Groups
Parents
Adolescents
Communities
Couples
Elderly

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

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
Alcohol Use / Addiction
A pattern of alcohol consumption that has become harmful to a person's health, relationships, or ability to function day-to-day.
Learn more about Alcohol Use / Addiction
Career Issues
Work-related difficulties such as chronic dissatisfaction, conflict, burnout, uncertainty about direction, or the stress of career change.
Cross-Cultural
The psychological challenges of living between two or more cultures, including identity conflicts, acculturation stress, and difficulties with belonging.
Family Issues
Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.
Intimacy Issues
Difficulties with emotional or physical closeness in relationships, including fear of vulnerability, avoidance of connection, or sexual concerns.
Learn more about Intimacy Issues
Parenting Support
Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.
Men's Issues
Psychological challenges commonly experienced by men, including difficulty expressing emotions, anger, relationship struggles, fatherhood pressures, and societal expectations of masculinity.

Professional Title:

Clinical Psychologist
An advanced mental health professional trained to assess and treat a wide range of difficulties, from anxiety and depression to trauma and complex conditions.