Abuse Recovery Counselling in Pretoria
You are not the problem. Your story deserves to be heard.
Abuse Recovery Counselling in Pretoria with Vanessa is not about labels or blame, it’s about honouring your experience. Through narrative counselling, we gently unpack the effects of abuse and begin to restore your voice, value, and agency.
Real hurt. Real care. Real recovery.
You’re not broken
We’ll focus on rebuilding self-worth, not rehashing everything that happened.
You’re allowed to speak
You get to say what’s true for you, even if it’s messy, uncertain, or painful.
You’re allowed to heal
Counselling won’t erase the past, but it can help you feel more whole again.
You survived what should never have happened
Maybe you’re still in it. Maybe you left. Maybe it happened years ago, and you’re only now realising it was abuse. Whether it was emotional, physical, sexual, or psychological, it can take time to name what happened, let alone talk about it.
Abuse recovery counselling gives you space to speak freely, to feel whatever you’re feeling, and to begin healing without pressure or shame. You don’t have to carry this alone.
What is abuse recovery counselling?
Abuse affects how you see yourself, others, and the world. You might doubt your instincts. You might still feel stuck in fear, shame, or guilt. You might struggle to trust anyone, including yourself.
In counselling, we don’t rush. We listen to what your body remembers, what your thoughts are still holding onto, and what your emotions are trying to say. We focus on safety, self-trust, and slowly rebuilding your sense of self, without judgement, without pressure.
Abuse Recovery Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Are You Struggling With Any of the Following?
Abuse Recovery Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Blaming yourself for what happened
You find reasons why it was your fault, even though deep down, you know it wasn’t.
Feeling unsafe or on edge
Even when nothing’s wrong, your body stays tense and alert.
Trouble trusting others
You keep your guard up, even with people who haven’t hurt you.
Confusion about your own feelings
You doubt your instincts or minimise what you went through.
Isolation
You avoid people or places because it feels easier than explaining.
Emotional numbness
You feel shut down, distant, or disconnected from yourself.
What happened to you matters, and how you heal matters too. I offer abuse recovery counselling in Pretoria for anyone who needs a safe, steady space to begin again. You’re not broken. You’re not too much. You’re not alone.
Approaches I use in abuse recovery counselling
Abuse Recovery Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
I focus on safety first. Whether it’s helping you ground in your body, name what happened, or just feel less alone, we’ll go at your pace. I don’t push. I don’t probe. I listen, reflect, and support you as you begin to reconnect with your own voice, boundaries, and sense of worth.
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 Abuse Recovery Counselling Works
HOW IT WORKS
You don’t need to tell your full story on day one, or ever, if you don’t want to. We start with where you are now. What you're feeling, what you're needing, and what still hurts. I help you feel safe in your own body again, rebuild trust in yourself, and move forward in a way that feels real, not rushed.
I listen to your story
You name your experiences in your own words, with no pressure to justify or explain.
We name what’s really going on
We explore how the abuse has affected your sense of self, trust, and boundaries.
You find your way forward
You’ll start to feel safer in your body, your voice, and your life, and regain your sense of worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. You’re in control of what you share and when. I’ll never ask you to revisit something you’re not ready for.
Can you help with childhood abuse?
Yes. Many people come to counselling as adults to process things that happened when they were young.
Do you work with emotional or psychological abuse too?
Yes. Abuse doesn’t have to be physical to leave deep wounds. If it hurts, it matters.
What if I feel ashamed?
Shame is common, and it doesn’t belong to you. This is a space where you won’t be blamed, judged, or rushed.
Will you tell anyone what I share?
Everything stays private, unless there’s a serious risk of harm. We’ll talk through what confidentiality means before we begin.
Abuse Recovery Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You Don’t Have To Face This Alone
Step into a space that’s safe, respectful, and built around your story. Reclaim your voice without fear of judgement.
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One-on-one narrative counselling
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In-person or online options
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Trauma-aware and non-clinical approach
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No labels, no pressure, no fixing
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Deep listening, your story is the focus
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Counsellor with lived experience and 20+ years in people-centred work
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Flexible scheduling to meet you where you are
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Gently guided identity work at your pace
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Full confidentiality and emotional safety
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A space that puts your dignity first
Book a first session. Only if and when you’re ready. No pressure, no rush.
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
Abuse Recovery Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
If you're looking for abuse counselling that feels safe and respectful, reach out. You don’t have to explain everything, just take the first small step.
