Grief Counselling in Pretoria
You don’t have to rush your grief, or do it alone
Grief Counselling in Pretoria with Vanessa holds space for the story of your loss, without pressure, without rushing. Grief is not a problem to solve, it’s something we honour and work through together, one step at a time.
Real loss. Real support. Real healing.
Naming the pain
Grief is personal. I help you name what’s hard without rushing the process.
Holding space
A place where you can fall apart or stay quiet, without being judged or “fixed.”
Finding footing again
Grief changes you. Counselling helps you carry it with less weight and more kindness toward yourself.
There’s no right way to grieve, but it helps to not do it alone
Grief can be raw, quiet, confusing, or overwhelming. One moment, you’re numb; the next, you’re angry or aching. Whether you’ve lost a loved one, a relationship, a pregnancy, or something else that mattered deeply, the world feels different now, and so do you.
Grief counselling gives you space to sit with the pain, make sense of what you’re feeling, and slowly find your way forward, at your pace, in your own words.
What is grief counselling?
Grief counselling helps you process loss without rushing or pretending to “move on.” It’s not about fixing anything. It’s about making space for your emotions, your questions, and your story.
Whether the loss was recent or years ago, whether it was expected or sudden, you’re allowed to feel what you feel. In our sessions, we’ll gently explore your grief, notice what’s stuck or heavy, and support your emotional, mental, and physical healing as you begin to adjust.
There’s no timeline. No judgment. Just steady support, when you’re ready.
Grief Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Are you struggling with any of these?
Grief Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Crying unexpectedly
Waves of sadness hit without warning and feel hard to control.
Stuck in bed or oversleeping
Grief drains your energy, making even small tasks feel too much.
Feeling numb or disconnected
You’re going through the motions, but nothing feels real.
Heavy sadness or no hope
It’s hard to imagine feeling okay again.
Shame or guilt
You blame yourself or feel like you should be “doing better.”
Mental fog
You can’t concentrate or keep your mind from drifting back to the loss.
Grief looks different for everyone. You don’t need to have the words or a plan. Just a willingness to begin. I offer grief counselling in Pretoria — a quiet, supportive space to work through the loss and reconnect with yourself.
Approaches I Use in Grief Counselling
Grief Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Grief can’t be rushed or solved, and I won’t try to do either. Instead, I offer gentle, steady support. We’ll use a mix of conversation, reflection, and creative tools that help you express what’s hard to say. I meet you where you are, whether you want to talk, sit in silence, or just feel less alone.
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 Grief Counselling Works
HOW IT WORKS
We begin with what’s present, not what’s “supposed” to be. Some days, you’ll want to talk. Some days, you might just sit with the weight of it all. I’ll walk with you through the mess of grief, without trying to fix it or cheer it up, just offering presence, understanding, and support as you process the loss in your own time.
I listen to your story
You share who and what you’ve lost, and how it’s changed your world.
We name what’s really going on
Together, we make space for sorrow, anger, guilt, or relief, without judgement.
You find your way forward
At your pace, you’ll begin to carry the loss with more lightness, more meaning, and less silence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
How long does grief counselling take?
There’s no timeline. Some clients come for short-term support. Others stay longer. We go at your pace, not the world’s.
Do I need to have lost a person to come for grief counselling?
No. Grief includes many kinds of loss: a relationship, a job, a miscarriage, a dream. If it hurts, it counts.
What if I’m still grieving someone who died a long time ago?
That’s okay. Grief doesn’t expire. You’re welcome here, no matter how long it’s been.
What if I cry the whole session?
That’s perfectly okay. This is a space where you don’t have to hold it in.
Is it too soon to come for grief counselling?
No. You don’t have to wait. You’re welcome to start whenever you feel ready.
Grief Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You don’t have to be strong right now
Grief counselling in Pretoria that gives you a calm space to speak, remember, and breathe again.
-
You’ll talk freely without feeling like a burden
-
You’ll cry without having to apologise
-
You’ll be met with warmth, not pressure to “move on”
-
You’ll stop feeling like your grief is wrong or too big
-
You’ll be reminded that deep pain comes from deep love
-
You’ll find quiet tools to help carry the weight
-
You’ll feel seen, whether your loss was recent or long ago
-
You’ll begin to make room for both love and sadness
-
You’ll be supported in your own time and way
-
You’ll learn to live with your grief without it swallowing you
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
Grief Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
If your heart is heavy, you don’t need the perfect words. Just reach out. This isn’t about fixing. It’s about holding space for your grief, at your pace.
