About Jenny
I graduated as a clinical psychologist from the University of Cape Town in 1996. I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). I have over 20,000 hours of experience in psychotherapy, and nowadays I work mostly online. My special interest is working with the parents of children, teenagers, babies and toddlers. I also work with adults who are facing anything challenging or difficult in their lives, including mental health problems.
I am the author of the books, Babies in Mind and Children in Mind, and I’m on the editorial board of the academic journal, Psychoanalytic Practice. Over many years, I’ve published widely for mental health professionals and for the general public. Training and supervision of other psychologists and therapists is an important part of what I offer.
My perspective
Knowledge and ideas about mental health have changed over time. Recent evidence based research has revealed interesting and important findings about the human brain, trauma and behaviour. I have become increasingly aware that mental health difficulties can be managed in different ways and certain approaches are better suited to certain people. For these reasons, I try constantly to up-skill myself in new ways of thinking and working. I use my existing knowledge, new information, and my clinical experience to navigate towards what seems to be the best outcome for each individual client that I see. I like to look deeply into the meaning behind symptoms and I try to find the balance between recent evidence-based research, depth psychology, and a holistic, uniquely person-centered focus.
I use an integrative approach to psychotherapy – drawing on a range of different theoretical frameworks depending on what is in the best interests of each client. My work is informed by the NICE guidelines, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and mindfulness training. My first objective is to explore the problems facing the client, and together we decide on the best way forward. My approach is collaborative and very supportive. I aim to empower clients to face their difficulties and find solutions that bring mental stability, joy, tranquility and balance. Relief from the debilitating effects of mental illness is my primary objective. My approach is flexible, and adjusted to each client’s needs.
In addition to online psychotherapy with adults, I offer online parent guidance counselling and parent therapy, when there are problems with babies, children and teenagers. Perinatal counselling, often when there is postnatal depression and anxiety, is one of my main areas of interest. Helping estranged, divorced and separated parents to navigate the process of raising their children is an important part of my work.
I also offer private supervision consultations to psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors and health professionals. For your CPD needs, my online audio-visual presentations include training in the areas of psychotherapy, child psychology, the link between mental health and genetics, child psychiatric diagnosis, and infant mental health (perinatal psychology).
Difficulties I have worked with
I have worked extensively across a wide range of different mental, emotional, behavioural and social problems. These include:
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- anxiety disorders, stress, panic attacks
- mood disorders (depression)
- selective mutism
- eating disorders
- obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- victims and perpetrators of abuse (sexual and other kinds)
- trauma
- medical conditions
- low self-esteem
- sleep disorders
- learning disorders
- disabilities
- disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- oppositional defiance disorder (ODD)
- conduct disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- relationship difficulties
- neurodiversity
- emotional dysregulation / mood swings / erratic moods