Trauma Counselling in Pretoria
When the past won’t stay in the past, Counselling can help
Trauma Counselling in Pretoria with Vanessa is not just about retelling memories. Using narrative counselling, we gently reconnect the parts of your story that went into survival mode, helping your nervous system feel safe again.
Real people. Real support. Real healing.
Make sense of your story
Understand how trauma has shaped your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, and begin to gently untangle it.
Feel safe again
Learn grounding tools and coping strategies to calm your nervous system and stay present, even when triggered.
Reclaim your life
Let go of survival mode. Reconnect with yourself, your emotions, and the parts of life that felt out of reach.
When the past still feels present
Some moments don’t just pass, they stay in your body, your sleep, your reactions. Even when life looks fine on the outside, your system stays on high alert. You might feel numb, on edge, easily triggered, or disconnected from yourself and others.
Trauma counselling gives you space to slow down, feel safe again, and begin to make sense of what happened, without rushing or reliving it.
What is Trauma Counselling?
Trauma isn’t always about one event; it’s about how your body and mind were affected by what happened. Whether it was abuse, an accident, emotional neglect, or years of holding things in, trauma changes how you relate to yourself and the world.
In trauma counselling, we go gently.
You don’t have to tell your story all at once. Together, we’ll build safety, work through stuck patterns, and help your nervous system settle. You’ll learn ways to stay grounded, reconnect with yourself, and feel more like you again. You don’t have to carry it alone anymore.
Trauma Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Are you experiencing any of the following?
Trauma Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Flashbacks or intrusive memories
Images, sounds, or feelings that take you right back — even when you don’t want them to.
Feeling constantly on edge
Struggling to relax because your body feels like it’s still in danger?
Emotional numbness
Feeling disconnected from your emotions, like you’re just getting through the day?
Trouble trusting people
Finding it hard to open up or let people close, even when you want to?
Difficulty sleeping
Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or waking from nightmares?
Overreacting or shutting down
Responding strongly to small things, or going numb when it’s too much?
If any of this sounds familiar, trauma counselling can help. I offer a calm, private space in Pretoria where we go at your pace, no pressure, no judgement, just steady support to help you heal.
Approaches I Use in Trauma Counselling
Trauma Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Trauma affects your body, thoughts, and emotions, not just one part of you. That’s why I use a gentle, flexible approach based on where you are and what feels safe. We’ll work on grounding, self-awareness, and slowly building trust with yourself and others.
Externalising the problem
“We firstly externalise the problem. Like I said, the problem is the problem. The person is not the problem.”
“We name the problem as something that is outside the person… it means that I also will remove people from my club of life who do not belong there anymore.”Deconstructing the problem
“We will deconstruct the problem so that we can see what is actually going on. What’s the tip of the iceberg that this person is talking about — but what is really underneath the water level of this iceberg?”
Identifying hidden values and skills
“We will identify hidden values, hidden skills that this person has used before. But those skills just need a little bit of dusting off.”
“Sometimes they feel that they can’t handle it, but they’ve shown the resilience previous times.”Co-creating the alternative story
“We then go and create the new narrative. We also say it’s the alternative story. We thicken the alternative story. And the dominant problem story is not the main thing anymore, it’s all about the new stories that we focus on.”
I don’t give advice. I ask better questions.
I’m Vanessa, a narrative counsellor based in Pretoria. I serve individuals, teens, couples, and families who are ready to feel safe in their own story again. Back when I was a teacher, I loved seeing people grow, but I also saw how many of them needed something beyond skills. They needed to be heard. Not fixed. That stayed with me.
I still get chills when a client says, “I feel lighter.” Narrative counselling isn’t magic, but it can feel that way when you finally feel seen without being judged. Some say I’m the calmest person they’ve met. Others say I ask the one question they didn’t know they needed. Either way, I’m all in. I listen until the pieces make sense.
You show up. You speak. I listen. We follow your story, not a script. Slowly, you find that your past doesn’t have to define you, and your future doesn’t have to scare you.
ABOUT ME
How Trauma Counselling Works
HOW IT WORKS
We begin by creating a sense of safety in the room, in your body, and in the process. You won’t be pushed to talk about things before you’re ready. Over time, we’ll explore what’s been hard, build tools to manage the triggers, and help you reconnect with who you were before the trauma, or maybe discover that version of yourself for the first time.
I create safety first
We go slowly. You decide what to share and when. I never push, and I honour what your body and story are ready for.
We name the impact
We explore how trauma has shaped your beliefs, relationships, and reactions, not to relive it, but to understand it.
You reclaim your story
You begin to see yourself not just as someone who was hurt, but as someone who is healing, with the strength you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
How long does trauma counselling take?
It depends. Trauma work takes time, and we move at your pace. Some clients come for short-term support, while others stay longer for deeper healing.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. You’re in control of what you share and when. There’s no pressure to tell your full story before you feel ready.
How can counselling help with trauma?
Counselling helps you feel safe, understand what’s happening in your body and mind, and build tools to manage triggers and overwhelming emotions.
Can I do trauma counselling online?
Yes. If in-person isn’t possible, I offer secure online sessions that still allow for safety, connection, and progress.
Is trauma counselling only for big, life-threatening events?
No. Trauma is anything that overwhelms your ability to cope; it doesn’t have to be a dramatic or violent event.
Trauma Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You don’t need to be ready to talk about everything. You just need to feel safe here.
Trauma counselling in Pretoria that honours your pace, supports your body, and helps you feel more like yourself again.
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You’ll feel safe without having to share everything right away
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You’ll speak to someone who doesn’t ask you to re-live your pain
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You’ll feel supported, not analysed
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You’ll explore what happened only when it feels safe to do so
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You’ll feel more present and less scattered during your day
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You’ll be given space to feel, without needing to explain everything
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You’ll be reminded that healing is possible, even when it’s slow
Get in touch when you're ready
Counselling in Pretoria & Online Across South Africa
Whether you’re considering narrative counselling for the first time, booking a session for your teen, or looking for help with a family or couple dynamic, I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re not sure what you need yet, that’s okay too. Just send a message. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
- Call: 082 324 9735
- 414 Cliff Avenue, Waterkloof Ridge Ext 2, Pretoria, 0181
- Online counselling across South Africa
Last step: Press SEND. (psstttt… we just became best friends.)
This Work Is Gentle, But It Changes Lives
testimonials
Vanessa het my 18-jarige dogter met spesiale behoeftes met soveel geduld en liefde hanteer. Deur die manier wat sy werk, het sy haar vertroue ten volle gewen. Sy het absoluut ‘n passie vir wat sy doen. Baie dankie Vanessa!
Vanessa’s caring approach brought real breakthroughs. She listens with empathy, offers clear insights, and helps you make sense of difficult thoughts and emotions. Her support has not only helped me grow personally but also improved how I show up in my work and business.
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
Trauma Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
If your body still remembers what your mind tries to forget, you're not alone. There’s space here for both your story and your silence.
