Self-Harm Support in Pretoria
There’s a reason you’re hurting, and you don’t have to face it alone
Self-Harm Support in Pretoria with Vanessa uses narrative counselling to help you make sense of what you’re feeling. This isn’t about judgement, it’s about giving your story space, so healing becomes possible.
Real pain. Real care. Real change.
Understand the urges
Explore why the self-harm is happening, without shame or pressure.
Learn safer ways to cope
Build tools to manage big emotions, step by step.
Reconnect with yourself
Start healing not just the behaviour, but the parts of you that feel unseen or overwhelmed.
It’s about the pain underneath
Self-harm often shows up when words aren’t enough. It’s a way to release, to feel something, or to manage what feels too big to carry. You might not even fully understand why you’re doing it. You just know it brings a moment of relief, and then, maybe, a wave of guilt or shame.
Counselling gives you space to unpack the pain behind the patterns. No judgement. No labels. Just support that helps you make sense of what’s going on, and what to do next.
What is Self-Harm Support Counselling?
Self-harm is often misunderstood. But behind the behaviour is a very real emotional struggle. In counselling, we don’t just focus on stopping the self-harm; we focus on why it’s there in the first place.
I help you explore what’s triggering the urge, what feelings feel too hard to face, and what might help you cope in ways that don’t leave you feeling worse. Whether this is something you’ve done once, often, or for years, you’re not too far gone. There’s help, and there’s hope.
Self-Harm Support Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Are You Experiencing Any of the Following?
Self-Harm Support Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Hurting yourself to feel relief
Whether it’s cutting, scratching, or another for, the pain feels easier to manage than what’s underneath.
Feeling numb or empty
You don’t feel anything unless it’s physical, and even then, only for a moment.
Overwhelmed by emotions
Anger, sadness, shame, anxiety, it all builds up until you need a way out.
Hiding injuries or making excuses
You find ways to cover up the marks, avoid questions, or keep people at a distance.
Guilt or shame afterwards
You wish you could stop, but it’s become a way of coping, and now you feel stuck.
Using self-harm as control
When everything else feels out of your hands, this is the one thing you can control.
You’re not attention-seeking. You’re hurting. I offer self-harm support in Pretoria, a safe, steady space where you can explore what’s going on, learn new ways to cope, and start healing with no shame.
Approaches I use in self-harm support
Self-Harm Support Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
We take it step by step. I won’t pressure you to talk about anything before you’re ready. I focus on creating a calm space where you feel safe to explore what’s really going on. Together, we’ll make sense of your emotions, understand the urges, and find ways to cope that don’t leave you feeling worse afterward.
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 Self-Harm Counselling Works
HOW IT WORKS
We begin by understanding what self-harm means for you. There’s no pressure to talk about anything before you’re ready. I’ll help you build trust with yourself, learn to manage big emotions, and slowly find other ways to cope, ones that feel more caring and less harmful.
I listen to your story
We explore what’s underneath the urge to harm, the pressure, numbness, or emotional overload.
We name what’s really going on
We gently unpack the shame, stress, or hidden pain that’s built up over time.
You find your way forward
You’ll begin to find new ways to respond to pain, feel more in control, and treat yourself with more care and compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanessa Crous Narrative Counselling
Will you tell my parents or someone else?
If you’re under 18, I may need to involve a guardian if your safety is at serious risk. But we’ll talk through that together. Nothing is done behind your back.
Is this just for teens?
No. Self-harm affects people of all ages. I work with both teens and adults.
What if I don’t know how to talk about it?
That’s okay. You don’t need the perfect words. I’ll help you find your own pace and voice.
What if I’m scared you’ll judge me?
You won’t be judged here. I care more about your story than your symptoms.
How long does self-harm counselling take?
There’s no fixed timeline. We go at your speed, depending on what feels safe and helpful.
Self-Harm Support Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
You don’t need perfect words. You just need a space where you’re not judged.
Self-harm counselling in Pretoria that helps you feel supported, calm, and seen, without pressure to be “fine.”
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You’ll speak to someone who doesn’t panic or preach
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You’ll be able to say the hard stuff without being shut down
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You’ll get tools that actually work when the urge hits
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You’ll slowly understand your pain instead of fighting it alone
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You’ll stop hiding or pretending just to protect others
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You’ll feel less ashamed, even when you’re struggling
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You’ll learn ways to cope without hurting your body
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You’ll be guided with patience, not pressure
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You’ll have a safe, private space to unpack things at your pace
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You’ll begin to feel more in control, even when it’s messy
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
Self-Harm Support Counselling in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
