Sue Drummond

Clinical Psychologist

Psychotherapy with Adults

My therapeutic approach is to work collaboratively with clients in a warm, empathic and attuned therapeutic space. The form that therapy takes is attuned to each client’s unique needs.

Quite often, a client may not know just what it is that is causing their feelings of distress and discomfort. Our therapeutic journey together would begin by unpacking and starting to make sense of the troubles in a safe and confidential environment.

Many clients are seeking to address difficulties which call for ‘depth’ work. This would involve the exploration over time of the client’s unique story, with the therapist and client embarking together on a journey of reflection, understanding and growth. The client may, for example, need to make meaning of their own particular history or to reconnect with their strengths and build upon them. I am likely to use a type of therapy called ‘psychodynamic psychotherapy’ which involves a rich exploration and meaning-making of the client’s emotional world.

In other cases, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which targets specific behaviours and tries to ease them by making sense of their root cause, may be appropriate.

Areas of special interest include, but are not limited to:

• anxiety,  panic attacks, OCD traits
• depression and bipolar
• work-related stresses of many kinds
• support for individuals with chronic fatigue or other chronic conditions
• adjustment issues (including loss of relationships & ‘empty-nest’ difficulties)
• bereavement

Therapy and Assessments for Children, Adolescents and Families

In addition to working with adults, I offer play therapy for children and psychotherapy for adolescents, and I also work with families, offering support and counselling for parents. For this role, I draw on experience gained working in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

Work with children, adolescents and families may include (but is not limited to):

• Clinical assessment and diagnosis of children’s and adolescents’ difficulties including
  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Aspergers
• Play therapy to work with a variety of difficulties including
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Anger outbursts
  • Sibling rivalry
  • Low self-esteem
  • Bullying

• Therapy for adolescents experiencing a variety of difficulties including managing change and difficulties at school
• Support and counselling of parents and caregivers

• Assessments, including:
  • IQ testing
  • ADHD
  • Initial screening for difficulties with reading, spelling and Maths
  • Emotional profile
  • Visual perception and motor coordination

A word on stigma
I believe a psychotherapeutic journey should be free from any stigma and should be celebrated for its life-affirming qualities.

My Background

Before becoming a clinical psychologist I worked for several large corporates, some smaller businesses and a university, and taught high school for a time. I believe this experience has added depth and sensitivity to my role as a psychologist in trying to support and work with individuals wishing to make sense of their own journey and to live their best life.

Professional Affiliations

• Cape Town Psychoanalytic Self Psychology Group
• Cape Town Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Group
• Health Professions Council of South Africa
• South African Council of Educators

 

Practice number: 086 001 0534269
HPCSA registration number: PS0119806