Shiralee

Mrs Shiralee McDonald

Registered Counselor

“Experienced and compassionate counsellor with a special interest in trauma, anxiety, grief and groupwork”

About Me

I support people who are feeling overwhelmed by trauma, anxiety, or loss, offering a steady and compassionate space to make sense of what they are carrying. As an experienced Registered Counsellor, I work gently and collaboratively, allowing difficult emotions to be approached in a way that feels manageable and safe. Alongside individual counselling, I also facilitate groups, where shared experiences can reduce isolation and foster understanding. My focus is on helping you move towards greater calm, connection, and resilience.

Approach

Guided by compassion and experience, I shape sessions to balance steady listening with gentle, targeted work that helps you process difficult emotions. Whether we meet in Cape Town or online, sessions are conducted in English and paced to fit your rhythm and responsibilities. I weave somatic noticing, reflective dialogue and carefully timed interventions so insights register in both body and mind, and I offer small, practical exercises between sessions when helpful. Those navigating loss, change or overwhelm often find this grounded, collaborative approach useful.
Contact Shiralee

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

  • Brainspotting

    A therapy that uses fixed eye positions to access and process unresolved trauma stored in the brain and body.

    Learn more about Brainspotting
  • 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
  • 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
  • Ukraine Aid

    Mental health support specifically for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, including refugees, displaced families, and those experiencing war trauma.

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Elderly
  • Groups
  • Individuals
  • Organisations

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • 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
  • 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
  • Divorce Counseling

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

  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • PTSD

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that develops after a traumatic event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

    Learn more about PTSD
  • 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
  • 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.

Credentials

Registrations

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

Registered Counsellor

Registration: PRC0005126

Verify License

Qualifications

BAHons

University of the Western Cape

Service Areas

Chalice - near St James Coffee Shop

In-person & Online

Observatory

Cape Town, Western Cape

South Africa

Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa