Individual Counselling in Pretoria
You don’t have to hold it all together on your own
When life feels heavy, unclear, or too much, individual counselling in Pretoria gives you space to breathe, reflect, and gently find your way forward, without pressure or judgement. Serving Waterkloof Ridge, Waterkloof, and Menlo Park.
Real Stories. Real Healing. Real Growth.
Rediscover Your Identity
Move beyond the labels others have placed on you and reconnect with who you truly are beneath the noise.
Rewrite Your Narrative
Learn to externalise problems and shift harmful thought patterns into healthier, more authentic ways of being.
Restore Your Voice
Break free from self-doubt and people-pleasing to find the confidence to speak your truth without fear.
“I don’t feel like myself anymore. What’s wrong with me?”
Sometimes it’s not the one big thing. It’s the slow accumulation of too much, too many expectations, too many roles, too many thoughts at once. On the outside you’re holding it all together, but on the inside you’re tired. Foggy. Far removed from what you once were. You’re trying to bite through it, but it keeps seeping through, in the form of irritability, lack of energy, overthinking or just a heavy depression that you can’t shake.
Individual counselling gives you the space to stop performing and start processing. We gently explore what happened, how it has shaped you and what your story requires of you now.
Are You Feeling Any of This Lately?
Individual Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You’re overwhelmed more often than not
It feels like you’re juggling too much, and there’s no space to breathe. The smallest thing can set you off, or shut you down.
You don’t recognise yourself anymore
You used to feel more grounded, more clear. Now, it’s like you’re on autopilot or running on fumes.
You’re stuck in your thoughts
No matter how much you try to distract yourself, the worry, overthinking, or self-doubt always comes back.
You’re tired of pretending you’re okay
You hold it together for others, at work, at home, with friends. But inside, you feel distant, drained, or flat.
You carry shame or regret from the past
Old stories still echo. Sometimes you don’t know how to let them go, or where to even start.
You’ve tried coping, but it’s not working anymore
Whether it’s numbing, avoiding, or pushing through, what helped before isn’t helping now.
If any of this sounds familiar, individual counselling can help. You don’t have to have it all figured out before reaching out. We’ll begin wherever you are, and gently work through the story behind the struggle. If you’re still exploring or not sure where to start, you can go back to the homepage and take your time.
What is Individual Counselling?
Life doesn’t come with a guidebook. At some point, many people find themselves feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward. Individual counselling offers a safe, reflective space to pause and make sense of what you’re going through, without judgement or pressure.
An individual counsellor helps you explore the deeper stories, beliefs, and experiences that are shaping your current challenges. Whether you’re facing anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, or emotional exhaustion, counselling supports you in understanding yourself more clearly and responding with care. It’s a space to reconnect with your values, build healthier ways of coping, and start showing up for your life in a way that feels more honest and grounded.
Individual Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
My individual counselling services
Individual Counselling In Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Trauma Counselling
Carrying what feels too heavy?
I help you name the impact and rebuild your sense of safety.
Self-Harm Support Counselling
Struggling in silence or hiding pain?
I help you find safer ways to cope and speak what’s hard to say.
Grief Counselling
Loss left you feeling numb or overwhelmed?
I help you hold the sadness, honour the bond, and begin to heal.
Depression Counselling
Lost energy, joy, or hope?
I help you understand the weight and find small steps forward.
Anxiety Counselling
Mind racing or always on edge?
I help you slow things down and feel more in control again.
Abuse Recovery Counselling
Still living with the effects of past harm?
I help you reclaim your story and feel safe in your own life.
The Approach I Use in Individual Counselling
Individual Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You are not a diagnosis. You are not a label. You are a person with a story that deserves to be heard and held with care. My approach helps you step out of the problem and into a version of yourself that feels more grounded and free.
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.”
Here, Your Story Matters
I’m Vanessa. I offer narrative counselling to people who feel unseen, stuck, or emotionally exhausted, and are finally ready for something different. I’m just someone who’s lived through my own messy seasons. I know what it’s like to be dismissed, oversimplified, or told to “just move on.” That’s why I chose this work.
I’m still amazed that I get to do something that makes a real difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just about listening, it’s about helping you hear yourself clearly for the first time in years. Take it from my clients: “You ask things in a way that makes sense.” “I felt seen for the first time.” I’m gentle, honest, and not afraid to name the real things with care.
Working with me means no assumptions, no clipboard advice. Just real conversations, grounded in narrative work, that help you get clear on who you are and how to live that truth with more confidence.
ABOUT ME
How Individual Counselling Works
HOW IT WORKS
When closeness starts fading and you feel more like strangers than partners, I help you make sense of what changed, and how to reconnect with care.
I listen to your story
We start by exploring what’s felt heavy, confusing, or stuck. You don’t need a diagnosis — just a place to speak honestly and feel heard.
We name what’s really going on
We gently unpack the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that are shaping how you see yourself and your life right now.
You find your way forward
As clarity grows, you’ll begin to respond differently, not just cope. You’ll leave with insight, relief, and a growing sense of who you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
What kinds of issues do people bring to individual counselling?
Anything from burnout, anxiety, grief, and trauma to feeling stuck, lost, or disconnected.
Do I need to have a diagnosis to come?
Not at all. You just need to feel ready to talk about what’s been hard.
Will I need to talk about my childhood?
Only if it feels relevant and safe. We follow your pace and focus on what matters most to you now.
How do I know if it’s working?
You’ll likely start to feel a little clearer, a little lighter, and more like yourself again.
How often do sessions happen?
Weekly or fortnightly is a good start. We’ll adjust as needed.
Individual Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Find Relief That Lasts
Individual counselling in Pretoria that helps you feel steady, safe, and seen. If your thoughts are heavy, your emotions feel unpredictable, or life feels stuck, this is a space where you can breathe, feel heard, and begin again at your own pace.
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One-on-one counselling (in-person or online)
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Calm, non-clinical space where you’re never rushed
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Supportive pace that respects your story and boundaries
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Clear guidance without judgment or pressure
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Tools for everyday stress, emotional overwhelm, or big life changes
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Counselling that centres your values, not just your symptoms
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Safe space to speak honestly, even about things you’ve never voiced
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Steady, grounded support through any season of life
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Flexible sessions that fit your rhythm
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Support grounded in care, clarity, and lived insight
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 brings warmth, insight, and thoughtful guidance. She asks the right questions without pressure and always comes prepared. Her mix of knowledge and discernment helps you shift unhelpful beliefs. Her values add a layer of trust that feels grounding and safe.
Dankie tannie Vanessa dat ek altyd met tannie kon gesels en dat tannie my gehelp het. Ek het altyd uitgesien daarna om soontoe te kom.
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
Individual Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You don’t have to make sense of it all on your own. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just unsure where to begin, this is a calm place to start.
