Exploring the Effectiveness of Online Therapy: When it May Be Superior to In-Person Sessions Introduction: The Growing Effectiveness of Online Therapy Online therapy, also known as online counselling, has long been established as just as effective as in-person therapy for many mental health conditions. Studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic provided substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of online therapy, … Read More
Thriving with Chronic Illness
Thriving with Chronic Illness: Strategies for Adaptation and Growth Living with a chronic illness presents numerous challenges, but understanding how individuals adapt and manage these challenges can offer valuable insights into fostering resilience and well-being and ensure thriving within the limitations of the chronic illness. This exploration delves into key factors influencing one’s quality of life with a chronic illness, … Read More
Solution-Focused Therapy: Trauma-Informed Care
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Trauma Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is an ideal approach for addressing trauma, adversity, and crises. It provides support to individuals in the aftermath of a crisis by fostering a safe and reassuring therapeutic relationship. This respectful approach helps manage intense emotions and collaboratively supports clients in developing meaningful coping strategies. It enhances competencies and guides … Read More
Addressing Nurse Burnout: A Critical Priority
Addressing Nurse Burnout: A Critical Priority Why Nurse Burnout Must Be a Priority in Healthcare Facilities Addressing nurse burnout is a critical priority, not only from a moral and ethical standpoint, but also due to its significant clinical and operational consequences for both patients and healthcare organizations. Clinical Impact: Increased nurse burnout is directly linked to higher patient mortality rates … Read More
Honouring Nurses on International Nurses Day
Bridging the Gap: Honouring Nurses on International Nurses Day 2024 “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.” As we celebrate International Nurses Day this year, the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.” resonates deeply, urging us to reflect on the invaluable contribution of nurses and the critical role they play in shaping our collective … Read More
Improving the mental health of unemployed healthcare workers
🌟 Attention to Unemployed Healthcare Professionals in South Africa: Elevate Your Emotional Resilience, One Cup of Coffee at a Time 🌟 🩺 Are You Prepared to Cultivate Your Emotional Wellness? This invaluable opportunity beckons to recently qualified South African healthcare practitioners who find themselves amid a period of unemployment, inviting them to invest in and fortify their mental fortitude. … Read More
Recognizing Your Courage: Steps to Therapy Success
Navigating the Therapy Journey: 7 Steps to Courage and Success Embarking on the therapy journey can feel like stepping into the unknown, but each stride forward is an act of courage and self-awareness. It’s not just about reaching the therapist’s office; it’s about recognizing your strength in taking those initial steps towards healing. Let’s delve into the seven crucial stages … Read More
The Power of Words in Trauma Recovery
Introduction: The Impact of Words on Trauma Recovery When it comes to healing from trauma, the journey can be significantly influenced by the words and comments of those around us, often in ways we might not anticipate. In my experience, remarks from family, friends, or colleagues—though well-intentioned—can sometimes create barriers rather than bridges to recovery. This was notably evident in … Read More
Best Hopes Intervention: A Beacon of Hope for Senior Medical Students at Stellenbosch University
Introduction: Unveiling the Best Hopes Intervention In July and August 2023, I launched trial interventions targeting burnout and amplifying emotional well-being among senior medical students at Stellenbosch University. Each session, tailored for 3-5 MBChB IV-VI students, featured three hour-long discussions rooted in Solution Focused Brief Therapy principles. Positive Shifts in Emotional Well-being My primary objective was to fortify emotional … Read More
Healing from Religious Trauma and Abuse: Rebuilding Faith and Spirituality
Introduction Religion has been a cornerstone of human civilization for millennia, providing solace, guidance, and a sense of purpose to countless individuals. However, as with any powerful force, religion can be used to harm rather than heal. In recent years, the discussion around religious trauma and abuse has gained prominence, shedding light on the psychological consequences it can have on … Read More
Hookah pipe use among adolescents
This is a summary of the health concerns and contributory factors cited in the article, Zainab Kader, Rik Crutzen & Nicolette Roman | (2020) Intervention to reduce adolescent hookah pipe use and satisfy basic psychological needs, Cogent Psychology, 7:1, 1782099, DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2020.1782099 Hookah Pipe Use: A Major Public Health Concern for Adolescents Hookah pipe use poses a significant threat to … Read More
Challenges and help during adolescence
Time of rapid change Adolescence is a challenging time for both teenagers and their families. It is a time when young people are developing rapidly, both physically and emotionally, and facing a range of new experiences and pressures. While many teenagers navigate this time successfully, others may struggle with the challenges of adolescence and may benefit from therapy or counselling. … Read More
Strong evidence that shift work can cause cancer
The Health Risks of Shift Work Shift work has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, poor mental health and generally a higher chance of death. This is particularly alarming for medical professionals, who work long hours and may have to work late nights and early mornings. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 20% … Read More
Choosing a therapist and type of therapy
Some guiding questions on choosing a therapist and type of therapy. What does the therapist’s approach or philosophy say/ imply about you as client? What does the type of therapy / therapeutic approach imply about you as client? Are you seen as someone who is capable of change? Do you feel empowered by the therapist’s approach, philosophy and … Read More
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
What is Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)? The Solution Focused Universe (SFU) Training Organisation, the world’s biggest training institution, that I have been part of since its inception, made the following statement: Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapeutic approach that was developed by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues in the 1980’s. SFBT is … Read More
Psychological counselling / therapy
Psychological counselling / therapy Part I What is psychological counselling or therapy? In essence it is a conversation between two or more people. Sometimes psychological counselling is also referred to as talk-therapy. The reason for the existence of this term is that there are also other therapies alleviating mental health problems or improving general mental health. As an example of … Read More
What Is Trauma?
I am overjoyed that you have discovered this post, and I have high hopes that it will prove useful to you in the course of your investigation. In the next paragraphs, we are going to discuss traumatic experiences. What exactly is trauma? Therefore, a traumatic event is nothing more than an emotional reaction to something upsetting, distressing, and overpowering. It’s … Read More
Depression Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Depression is a serious mental illness that can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. According to the World Health Organization, depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. While it is important to seek professional help if you think you may be depressed, there are also some symptoms that you can look out for. … Read More
Change without understanding?
Popular wisdom posits that in order for change to occur in problematic behaviour, emotions or thoughts, we first need to understand or find the reason behind the problem. One of the masters in the therapeutic approach I use (Solution Focused Brief Therapy), Chris Iveson, explains best why this is not the case and why the “how” question if often way … Read More
Debriefing and rebriefing
Third wave? Many healthcare workers are heaving a sigh of relief after the first 2 waves of Covid-19. At the same time many are struggling due to moral injury, burn-out, depression, anxiety or PTSD. In what ways can debriefing and “rebriefing” help? You can familiarise yourself with the concept of burn-out, by reading this previous blog post: https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/counselling-approach/counselling-for-burnout/ Although anyone … Read More
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