Introduction: Unveiling the Best Hopes Intervention In July and August 2023, I launched trial interventions targeting burnout and...

<p>Introduction Religion has been a cornerstone of human civilization for millennia, providing solace, guidance, and a sense of purpose to countless individuals. However, as with any powerful force, religion can be used to harm rather than heal. In recent years, the discussion around religious trauma and abuse has gained prominence, shedding light on the psychological consequences it can have on &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/healing-from-religious-t

<p>This is a summary of the health concerns and contributory factors cited in the article, Zainab Kader, Rik Crutzen &amp; Nicolette Roman | (2020) Intervention to reduce adolescent hookah pipe use and satisfy basic psychological needs, Cogent Psychology, 7:1, 1782099, DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2020.1782099 Hookah Pipe Use: A Major Public Health Concern for Adolescents Hookah pipe use poses a significant threat to &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/hookah-pi

<p>Time of rapid change Adolescence is a challenging time for both teenagers and their families. It is a time when young people are developing rapidly, both physically and emotionally, and facing a range of new experiences and pressures. While many teenagers navigate this time successfully, others may struggle with the challenges of adolescence and may benefit from therapy or counselling. &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/challenges-and-help-during-adol

<p>The Health Risks of Shift Work Shift work has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, poor mental health and generally a higher chance of death. This is particularly alarming for medical professionals, who work long hours and may have to work late nights and early mornings. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 20% &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/strong-evidence-that-shift-work-can-cause-cancer/" class="more-

<p>Some guiding questions on choosing a therapist and type of therapy. &nbsp; What does the therapist’s approach or philosophy say/ imply about you as client? What does the type of therapy / therapeutic approach imply about you as client? &nbsp; Are you seen as someone who is capable of change? Do you feel empowered by the therapist’s approach, philosophy and &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/choosing-a-therapist-and-type-of-therapy/" class="more-link">

<p>What is Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)? &nbsp; The Solution Focused Universe (SFU) Training Organisation, the world&#8217;s biggest training institution, that I have been part of since its inception, made the following statement: Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapeutic approach that was developed by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues in the 1980’s. SFBT is &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/solution-focused-bri

<p>Psychological counselling / therapy Part I What is psychological counselling or therapy? In essence it is a conversation between two or more people. Sometimes psychological counselling is also referred to as talk-therapy. The reason for the existence of this term is that there are also other therapies alleviating mental health problems or improving general mental health. As an example of &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/psychological-counselling-the

<p>Depression is a serious mental illness that can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. According to the World Health Organization, depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. While it is important to seek professional help if you think you may be depressed, there are also some symptoms that you can look out for. &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/depression-symptoms-you-shouldnt-ignore/" class="more-link">Read Mo

<p>Popular wisdom posits that in order for change to occur in problematic behaviour, emotions or thoughts, we first need to understand or find the reason behind the problem. One of the masters in the therapeutic approach I use (Solution Focused Brief Therapy), Chris Iveson, explains best why this is not the case and why the &#8220;how&#8221; question if often way &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/change-without-understanding/" class="more-link">Read Mor

<p>Third wave? Many healthcare workers are heaving a sigh of relief after the first 2 waves of Covid-19. At the same time many are struggling due to moral injury, burn-out, depression, anxiety or PTSD. In what ways can debriefing and &#8220;rebriefing&#8221; help? You can familiarise yourself with the concept of burn-out, by reading this previous blog post: https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/counselling-approach/counselling-for-burnout/ Although anyone &#8230; <a href="h

<p>Helpful questions for healthcare workers during the second wave of Covid-19 in SA can guide them in creating individualized meaning and coping. Now, during this second wave of Covid-19 in South Africa, healthcare workers are really struggling. The death toll, lack of resources, workload, staff shortages because of Covid-19 positive colleagues, personal risk, risk to the family, denial of (the &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/helpful-questions-for-he

<p>This is my take on the toolbox approach to therapy/counselling. Master of all trades? Recently I added my practice details to two psychology service directories. Before I decided on these specific two, I looked at the profiles of currently subscribed members. In order to get an idea of what these directories offer. I was astounded by the number of therapies &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/toolbox-approach/" class="more-link">Read More</a></p>

<p>This piece is not based on research unless specifically mentioned. Rather, this is a reflection based on my personal counselling sessions and informal discussions with front-line medical workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Appreciation for service I am sure that front-line medical professionals are thankful for the public’s appreciation for their service. However, this labeling of front-line medical workers as “heroes”, has &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounsell

<p>Does &#8220;No pain no gain&#8221; also apply to therapy/ counselling? Does it need to become worse before it can become better? During the Covid-19 pandemic many therapists needed to move their practices online. Consequently, new procedures and protocol needed to be put in place. Most importantly, to regulate this type of therapy. To communicate these procedures and protocol to clients, &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/no-pain-no-gain/" class="more

<p>I am very proud to be part of this national initiative. It provides Covid-19 frontline doctors and nurses with counselling. Background Doctors and nurses are at the forefront in the fight against the Corona virus. Therefore it is crucial to ensure their physical safety, but also their mental well-being. The Corona virus has not hit South Africa yet with full &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/caring-for-our-frontline-covid-19-fighters/" class="more-li

<p>As many other people, I&#8217;m often asked what I do for a living. When  they hear that I&#8217;m a psychological counsellor, a common response is, &#8220;I will never be able to do that&#8221;. This is usually followed by an explanation that they don&#8217;t know how they will be able to cope with it. Referring to all the &#8220;negativity&#8221;, trauma and &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/unrecognised-accomplishments/" class="more-link">Read Mor

<p>Often clients who come for counselling don&#8217;t realise that they are already doing things to cope with their problems / to make things better, or at least preventing it from getting worse! To make them aware of this I would ask them: What are you doing to cope with your problem / to make things better, or at least preventing &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/you-have-already-created-change/" class="more-link">Read More</a></p>

<p>Just another World Mental Health Day? Awareness days usually come and go without any real change for individuals and/or companies. If you or your company become aware of a certain issue regarding mental health you want to address or prioritise, and you want this year to be different, answer the following questions: 1. what is your best hopes for yourself &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/world-mental-health-day/" class="more-link">Read More</a></p>

<p>Suicide prevention Today, 10 September, is International Suicide Prevention Day. This is usually a day on which the public is educated on the signs of someone who is suicidal. Also, people are encouraged to act immediately if they observe such signs. Furthermore, the public in informed of professionals and organisations that can assist in such cases. This is crucial, because with &#8230; <a href="https://www.helderbergcounselling.co.za/international-suicide-prevention-day/