Christian Counselling in Pretoria
Faith doesn’t cancel pain, but it can carry you through
Christian Counselling in Pretoria with Vanessa holds space for both your questions and your convictions. Through narrative counselling, you can explore your story through the lens of faith, without judgement, and at your own pace.
Real faith. Real struggles. Real hope.
Bring your full self
There’s room for questions, emotions, and doubt, not just verses and platitudes.
Let go of shame
You can love God and still need help. There’s nothing wrong with you.
Reconnect with peace
Walk toward healing with grace, truth, and support rooted in faith.
You can love God and still need help
Maybe you’ve been told to just “pray through it” or to “have more faith.” But faith doesn’t erase depression, anxiety, grief, or conflict. It’s okay to love God and still struggle.
Christian counselling offers a place where your faith and your emotions can sit side by side, where you can be honest, ask hard questions, and start healing in a way that honours both your story and your beliefs.
What is Christian counselling?
Christian counselling is built on the truth that healing is not separate from faith — it flows through it. Whether you’re battling mental health struggles, relationship issues, past trauma, or simply feel distant from God, you don’t need to go through it alone.
In our sessions, we explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences while keeping your spiritual foundation in view. I won’t preach or pressure, I’ll meet you where you are, and we’ll walk together toward hope, peace, and clarity.
Christian Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Are You Struggling With Any of the Following?
Christian Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Feeling far from God
You pray, but it feels like nothing changes, and you wonder if He hears you at all.
Guilt or shame about struggling
You love God, but you’re still battling depression, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts, and it makes you feel weak or not “spiritual enough.”
Grief or loss of faith
You’ve lost someone or something important, and your heart feels broken or confused.
Strained relationships
Marriage, family, or church relationships feel tense, hurtful, or stuck in cycles you can’t fix alone.
Struggling with purpose or identity
You don’t know who you are anymore, or what God is asking of you in this season.
Church hurt or spiritual trauma
You’ve been wounded by religion or leadership, and it’s made it hard to trust again.
You’re allowed to bring your whole self into counselling, faith, questions, fears and all. I offer Christian counselling in Pretoria for anyone who wants a space to heal that includes both your emotions and your relationship with God.
Approaches I use in Christian counselling
Christian Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
In Christian counselling, your story matters, not just the parts that are easy to tell, but the ones you’ve wrestled with in silence too. I draw from evidence-based counselling practices while holding space for your relationship with God. If scripture, prayer, or spiritual reflection are part of your story, we can bring them in, but only if it feels right for you. Together, we explore how faith fits into your life now, and how it can gently support your healing going forward.
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 Christian Counselling Works
HOW IT WORKS
You don’t need to have perfect faith or a strong prayer life to start. We begin with honesty, about how you’re doing, what you’re feeling, and where God fits in right now. From there, we explore what’s been weighing on you and how to move forward with truth, grace, and practical steps grounded in both psychology and faith.
I listen to your story
You share what’s been happening, spiritually, emotionally, or relationally, without fear of judgement.
We name what’s really going on
Together, we explore the tension between belief, doubt, and lived experience.
You find your way forward
You’ll begin to move with more grace, truth, and freedom, guided by faith that’s honest and real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
Do I have to be a Christian to come for counselling?
No. I welcome anyone, regardless of where you stand in your faith. If you’re curious, wrestling, or unsure, this space is still for you.
Is this counselling or Bible study?
This is counselling, guided support for your emotional, mental, and relational struggles, anchored in faith but focused on your real-life needs.
Do you offer online Christian counselling?
Yes. If you’re more comfortable at home or unable to travel, I offer secure online sessions that include the same gentle support.
How much does a session cost?
Sessions are R500 for 50–60 minutes. I’ll always be upfront about costs, no surprises or hidden fees.
Can I talk about non-faith topics in sessions?
Yes. We can talk about anything that’s affecting your life, faith doesn’t have to be the focus in every session.
Christian Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You don’t have to hide your pain to keep your faith
Christian counselling in Pretoria that lets you be honest, broken, unsure, and still deeply loved.
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You’ll feel safe sharing what you’ve never said aloud
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You’ll be supported without being judged
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You’ll receive faith-based guidance that’s practical, not preachy
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You’ll get real tools for navigating anxiety, grief, or uncertainty
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You’ll reconnect with God’s hope without feeling rushed or fixed
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You’ll find compassion in moments where shame once ruled
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You’ll learn to face struggles with courage and biblical truth
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You’ll speak with someone who understands both Scripture and suffering
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You’ll be reminded that faith and emotional pain can exist together
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You’ll start to see change that’s rooted in love, not fear
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
Christian Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Faith doesn’t erase pain, but it can guide how we walk through it. If you’re ready to talk, you don’t have to explain everything up front.
