Michelle Bennett

Counselling Psychologist

Registered Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years private practice experience in Durban. I offer both Individual and Couple counselling for adults. I believe that a private practice and consulting rooms need to offer a comfortable, very private, confidential and non-judgemental setting. Both in-person/face-to-face and also Online/Remote therapy are offered.

Special interests

I have experience in working with a wide range of clients, concerns, belief systems, spiritual orientations, lifestyles and different cultural groups. I believe it is important for each individual to be seen and understood holistically and that personal belief systems are respected in the therapeutic space.

My areas of special interest, as a Psychologist, include, but are not limited to:

Individual Therapy:

• Depression
• Bereavement/Grief
• Stress
• Relationship Concerns and Destructive Relationship patterns
• Life patterns/Relationship patterns/Themes
• Interpersonal Difficulties
• Divorce Adjustment
• Step-family issues; Blended families, Step-parenting
• Sexual orientation and identity
• Adults with a History of Sexual Abuse or Rape (not current and no children)
• Infidelity/Trust issues/Rebuilding Trust
• Emotional Abuse
• Self-esteem;
• Visualisation including advanced techniques and practical use thereof
• Affirmations
• General Health and wellness
• Anxiety Disorders , such as Panic Attacks
• Post –Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Trauma (including hi-jacking, burglary etc)
• Social Anxiety
• Improving Relationships in general- family, friends, partnerships, colleagues
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Adult children or partners of those with drug/alcohol addiction
• Assertiveness Training
• Ageing
• Adjustment including to Life Stages, Retrenchment, Retirement, Divorce etc
• Loneliness
• Work Difficulties
• Living with medical conditions / chronic illness eg cancer; immune deficiency
• HIV/AIDS
• Infertility, Miscarriage or pregnancy termination
• Single life
• Incorporating Spirituality/Transpersonal/Metaphysical
• Personal Growth
• and more

Couple Counselling:

Couple counselling encompasses marriage counselling, pre-marital counselling and general relationship counselling and so forth. This also includes: eg infidelity, trust issues, communication difficulties and so on. Both straight and gay couples are seen.

Therapeutic orientation

I am trained and have experience in various therapeutic frameworks and therefore tailor the particular type of therapy to the individual and presenting problem in order to achieve the best results. Every person is respected as unique with a different set of expectations of therapy and presenting concerns.

I am a Psychologist who uses a wide range of therapeutic techniques. These include, but are not limited to: Cognitive Therapy, CBT (Cognitive- Behavioural Therapy), Integrative/ Eclectic Therapy, Transpersonal therapy, Solution focussed therapy, Psychodynamic and Client centred therapy. I do both short and long term therapy, depending on the requirements of the case. I generally, although, not always, use CBT for the treatment of anxiety disorders. These are techniques based on research evidence.

I use a realistic and balanced “bio-psycho-social” understanding of the causes of various so- called “disorders” which is well grounded in general research. Recognising that every human being and their particular concerns is so unique, that there will always be exceptions to the rule. Therefore where appropriate, from a cognitive perspective, it has long been recognised that our thoughts, feelings and subsequent actions are interlinked. The mind body connection has also been widely documented. Scientists are recognising the extremely powerful effects of our minds and imagination in our lives. The influence of our thoughts (in words and images) on our emotions and subsequent effect in our lives can no longer be ignored. Using a cognitive understanding, we cannot continue to plant the same seeds/thoughts and wonder why we get the same flowers/results in our lives.

Each person will have a completely different experience of therapy, depending on their needs, desires and motivations. I offer very flexible therapy and depending on individual beliefs, recognising and tapping into the power of the mind and the human being as mind-body-spirit.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience, as a counselling psychologist, in private practice.

I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate training at the University of Natal, Durban. My internship was at the Clinic/ Centre for Applied Psychology, at the University of Natal, Durban. This was akin to a private practice setting. It was here that I was initially trained and supervised in the assessment, diagnosis (applies to “disorders”) and treatment of my special interests listed above and much more.

I also have experience in IOD (Injured on duty) / Workman’s Compensation cases. This mainly involved trauma work. I have therefore developed a particularly special interest in dealing with trauma cases. I have also done a significant amount of private practice work for various Corporates and also smaller companies over the years. I have also worked as a counselling psychologist for some EAP groups (Employee Assistance Programs), commented for various magazines and supervised internships.

My commitment to you

I regard it of the utmost importance to put the client’s “best interests” first, while practising within the ethical boundaries of my profession. I look forward to the honour of working together with you and sharing my knowledge and experience in order to assist you to become the “best you can be”. You may just be pleasantly surprised of what actually is possible.

Contact the practice/ Enquiries/Make an appointment

The best way to contact the practice is via email: to please email the practice: michellebennettsa@gmail.com

Registration number: (HPCSA): PS 0059137
Practice Number: 8640548