Ms Desiree Gaskin

Educational Psychologist

“An experienced, competent and compassionate child psychotherapist working with children, parents and individuals, as well as in group and organizational settings.”

About Me

Families often seek support when children struggle with big feelings or difficult behaviours. This compassionate child psychotherapist offers a guiding hand. They work directly with children, helping them to express themselves, and also support parents and individuals connected to the child. The therapist creates a safe space for exploration, with the added benefit of group settings for shared experiences, helping everyone find clearer paths forward.

Approach

My work settles into a steady, predictable rhythm where art and play, brief tasks and conversational check-ins help children, adolescents and caregivers try out small changes and understand patterns. I meet with families in Johannesburg and via secure online sessions in English, pacing work to each child’s energy and the parent’s practical needs. I often share simple observations or home activities between appointments. Sessions are collaborative and pragmatic, blending emotional exploration with skill-building. This approach tends to suit parents and young people seeking clear, compassionate support during transitions. As humanity is facing difficult and transitioning times, my focus is also helping people to be grounded and connected with self and others.

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Basic Information

Johannesburg, South Africa

In-person & Online

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Services

I offer both insight-based psychodynamic psychotherapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in person and online. I am also aware of the importance of a somatic and embodied (mind-body) lens in the work. I offer support during life transitions and personal, family and organizational growth. Therapy and groupwork can assist in building self-awareness, emotional regulation, development of coping skills, improvement in interpersonal communication, problem -solving as well as overall well-being. Whether you are a student, parent, leader or employee: therapy and groupwork can help finding self, building confidence and resilience, improving or repairing attachment bonds, needing assistance with separation, trauma, grief, anxiety, low self-esteem, gender issues or gender- based violence.

Services Offered:

Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.
Play Therapy
A therapy for children that uses play as a natural form of communication, allowing them to express feelings and process difficult experiences.
Learn more about Play Therapy
Child / Adolescent Therapy
Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.
Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy
Personal Development
The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.
Group Therapy
Therapy conducted with a small group of people who share similar concerns, using peer interaction and diverse perspectives as part of the healing process.
Learn more about Group Therapy
Supervision & Training
Combined clinical supervision and professional development for mental health practitioners building their skills and expertise.
Learn more about Supervision & Training
Trauma Counselling
Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.
Learn more about Trauma Counselling

Works With:

Adolescents
Children
Families
Groups
Individuals
Organisations
Parents
Under Fives
All ages
Communities

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Life Transitions
Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.
Learn more about Life Transitions
Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues
Grief & Loss
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.
Learn more about Grief & Loss
Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.
Personal Development
The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.
Parenting Support
Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.
Self-Esteem
A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.
Learn more about Self-Esteem
Trauma Therapy
Therapeutic approaches specifically designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences.
Learn more about Trauma Therapy
Young Adult Issues
The unique psychological challenges of emerging adulthood (18–25), including identity formation, independence, relationship navigation, and finding direction.
Learn more about Young Adult Issues