Michaela Moonsamy
Counselling Psychologist
My areas of special interest include, but are not limited to:
- Adolescent and Youth Development
- Anxiety and Depression
- Trauma and Abuse
- Identity and Self-Esteem
- Family and Relationship Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Community-Based Interventions
- Personal Development
About Me
Why I became a psychologist?
My interest in psychology began early during high school. The complexities of the mind, the workings of the brain, and the intricacies of human behaviour intrigued me. Witnessing close family and friends grapple with mental health challenges, compounded by the lack of accessibility to adequate care, fuelled my determination to pursue a career in psychology. I am passionate about making mental health care accessible and relevant to the community.
My Academic Journey
I completed my masters in community-based counselling at the university of Witwatersrand. Where my training put great emphasis on diversity, being contextually aware and culturally sensitive. Therefore, my research, informed by these values focused on masculinities and disability in South Africa. I have trained in a number of psychotherapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Trauma-focused Cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), Psychodynamic therapy and Solution-focused therapy (SFT). My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from a range of tools and modalities tailored to suit the unique circumstances of each client. Additionally, I have considerable experience in conducting career assessments and other psychological assessments.
What Makes Me Different
My professional journey has seen me working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and spanning various age groups, with a particular focus on adolescents and adults. I believe that holistic health includes mental health. I strive to provide a warm environment where clients can feel heard and are able to work through difficulties and improve their overall wellbeing through psychotherapy.