clinical-psychologist-bellville-karen-kruger

Karen Kruger

Clinical Psychologist / Kliniese Sielkundige

clinical-psychologist-bellville-karen-kruger

Durbanville / Bellville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town

MA. Clin Psych (UWC), BA. Hons Psych (Cum Laude) (Unisa), BCom Hons (Stell)

072 327 4094

therapy@karenkruger.co.za

www.karenkruger.co.za

Tyger Valley Clinic, Pasita Street, Rosenpark, Cape Town, South Africa

I work with adults and older adolescents.  My therapeutic interventions are largely informed by psychodynamic theory, however I also draw on other therapeutic modalities when needed.

According to psychodynamic theory, we often can’t control or understand our actions, thoughts or feelings as these are driven by content in our minds that we are unaware of.  Early experiences, needs, thoughts and feelings were repressed in order to cope with the complexities that life presented at the time.  However, as the unconscious material is still present today (even though we are not aware of it), it still retains energy and has a strong influence on our current actions and state of mind.

Therapy therefore aims to bring conscious awareness to this unconscious material, so that it can be integrated into the conscious mind. With more awareness we can improve our understanding of ourselves and we can manage our lives better as unconscious material no longer has such a stronghold over us. As this type of therapy looks at the source of a client’s difficulties, the focus is on longer term change and not only on short term relief of symptoms.

Areas of interest

Below are my areas of interest, however in light of the above, therapy is not only symptom focussed and the same symptoms can manifest in clients for different reasons and in different ways.  I therefore also provide therapy for difficulties not listed below.

  • Depression (also Post-natal depression)
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Adjustment difficulties to stressful life events
  • Anger
  • Low self esteem
  • Fears or phobias
  • Social awkwardness
  • Panic attacks
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Trauma
  • Loss and bereavement
  • Behavioural problems
  • Chronic Pain
  • Eating Disorders
  • Bipolar Mood Disorder
  • Personality Disorder

HPCSA No: PS 0131091
Practice No: 0687529