Louise Malan

Clinical Psychologist

I am a Clinical Psychologist with 24 years experience. My theoretical orientation is psychoanalytical.  This approach is aimed at an in-depth understanding of the conscious and unconscious aspects of functioning. I am passionate about helping patients in a way that will help them for many years after terminating the therapy. Insight gained, losses mourned and changes made have a major impact on a person’s functioning for the rest of his/her life. I explore with clients how problems first made their way into their lives and what the ways are to overcome these problematic influences.

I believe that internal views of the self, others and the world are formed during an individual’s childhood. Our relationships and the ways that emotional needs and instincts are dealt with during childhood continues to influence us. I will help you understand why you think, feel and do as you do. I have a thorough knowledge of human psychological development, the meaning of symptoms and the consequences of specific traumas and experiences.

The aim of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is deep-seated change in personality and emotional development. I work from home and provide a confidential and non-judgemental service.

The type of problems that I work with include:

• Problematic relationships with eating (eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, obesity)
• Dealing with significant events and changes (adjustment disorders)
• Feelings of extreme loss and sadness (dealing with loss and bereavement)
• Depression (including feelings of not being good enough) and bipolar disorders
• Anxiety, separation anxiety, panic attacks (overwhelming fear and panic) and stress
• Personality disorders (including borderline, dependent and narcissistic personalities)
• Sexual concerns, gender identity and sexual perversions
• Somatic disorders (physical problems with a strong emotional component)
• Obsessive compulsive disorders
• Intense anger, fear of own destructiveness and self-harm
• Difficulty in family and relationships
• Marital therapy
• Sexual abuse and childhood trauma
• Dissociation and dissociative identity disorder
• Attachment patterns and problems

Practice number: 8628378
HPCSA Number: PS0040711