Dr Gerhard Schwär, DPsych

Counseling Psychologist

“Hi there! You can be a teenager or an adult (single or as a couple) to receive help and guidance from a 35+ years experienced psychologist and psychology lecturer experienced in training psychologists. I do Solution Focussed Therapy as well as CBT. These are two efficient ways of helping you get out of your stuckedness - be it stress, a relationship, anger, frustration, lack of self-esteem, anxiety or depression. Although therapy is a serious business I also love good laughs in between :-)”

About Me

I started off as a life orientation teacher in Namibia - my first job. After three years I taught Psychology at the then University of Port Elizabeth followed by 5 years teaching Psychology to Grade 10 pupils in England. Back in SA I taught Psychology at the erstwhile Vista University in Daveyton. That is when I opened my first practice which I have been running ever since (1990). After Vista I taught at UJ for about 11 years until my obligatory retirement from employment kicked in. However, I am keeping the practice running from my home in Morehill, Benoni and enjoy every moment of it. I just love seeing my clients walk out of my office feeling better after a fruitful conversation which gives them hope for the future with practical ways in which to approach their lives again.

Approach

Efficient, goal-focused sessions keep our work concise and practical, aimed at small changes that compound over time. I meet people in Benoni and online, offering Afrikaans, English or German so we can work in the language that feels right; sessions are steady-paced, time-aware and collaborative. We pick one or two clear goals, try brief experiments between meetings, and track what actually shifts—especially around grief, stress, relationships, conduct or mood concerns. This way of working suits those who want focused, hands-on therapy that produces tangible change.

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Basic Information

Benoni, South Africa

In-person & Online

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Services

I specialize in assisting you to become more of the person you want to be; to be in a place where you want to be instead of where you find yourself at the moment. This happens irrespective of whether you are depressed, anxious, lack self-esteem, have work stress, have relationships that are draining or pulling you down, are grieving, or whether you are simply stuck.

Services Offered:

Counseling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counseling
Psychology
The scientific study and clinical practice of understanding the mind, emotions, and behaviour, applied to promote healthier functioning.
Learn more about Psychology
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
Relationship Counseling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
Supervision
Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.
Learn more about Supervision

Works With:

Adolescents
Adults
Couples
Elderly
Individuals
Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Grief & Loss
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.
Learn more about Grief & Loss
Stress / Burnout
The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).
Learn more about Stress / Burnout
Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder
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
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
Adolescent Therapy
Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.
Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
Anger
An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.
Learn more about Anger
Forgiveness
The psychological process of releasing resentment or anger toward someone who has caused harm, a complex emotional journey rather than a simple decision.
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.

Professional Title:

Counseling Psychologist
A psychologist who helps people with everyday life challenges (relationships, work stress, adjustment) as well as mental health conditions.