Michelle

Ms Michelle Beneke

Clinical Psychologist

“I am a clinical psychologist who have been working mostly in private practice. My approach is psychodynamic. I work person centered and each person is listened to as an individual with their unique life experiences,struggles and strengths. I embrace the diversity of the human experience and hope to facilitate a process where the quality of my patients’ lives improve with the presence of the therapeutic relationship in their lives, be it for a short while or longer. ”

About Me

I have provided a space for individuals to explore their inner world for over 20 years. My person centered approach facilitate a process of self discovery, healing and growth. I work with each person as a unique whole and though diagnoses can help to inform what is needed, I see each person as an individual with their own needs. The relationship with each patient is an ‘once off event’ and therefore cannot be designed and implemented in a stereotypical way. I am informed by psychodynamic psychology. Both past experiences and the patterns they shape in the present, including the therapeutic relationship, help us to understand why certain feelings, thoughts and behaviours including symptoms are present. So, together we uncover recurring patterns and make sense of their impact on your life. This deep exploration is ideal for those seeking lasting change by understanding the roots of their challenges. However, I also welcome short term intervention when that is indicated.

Approach

That exploration usually unfolds at a steady, patient pace, with attention to what emerges between sessions as much as in them. Sessions—offered in Pretoria or online, in Afrikaans or English—tend to be conversational but focused: I listen for early patterns, attend to dreams and bodily cues, and sometimes introduce brief mindful practices to anchor difficult moments. This way of working suits those ready to trace old patterns and build lasting shifts. However, when a person only has the need or capacity for a short intervention I work with whatever is available and possible.
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Basic Information

In-person & Online

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Services

Infant-patent work, Children and their parents, teenagers, Young adults, adults, couples and the elderly are all welcome. I have extensive experience in working with symptoms such as Depression, Bipolar, Psychosis, loss, loss and bereavement, Childhood trauma, somatic symptoms and Anxiety. Parental guidance Parent child interventions Developmental delay Career exploration

Services Offered:

  • Dream Analysis

    A technique that explores the themes, symbols, and emotions in dreams to uncover unconscious thoughts and unresolved feelings.

    Learn more about Dream Analysis
  • Parenting Support

    Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.

  • Psychotherapy

    In-depth therapeutic work that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting psychological change.

    Learn more about Psychotherapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.

    Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • 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
  • MBT (Mentalisation-Based Therapy)

    A therapy that strengthens the ability to understand one's own mental states and those of others, improving emotional regulation and relationships.

    Learn more about MBT (Mentalisation-Based Therapy)
  • 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
  • Wellness Support

    Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.

Works With:

  • All ages
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Children
  • Couples
  • Elderly
  • Individuals
  • Parents
  • Under Fives

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Autism (ASD)

    A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.

  • Bedwetting

    Involuntary urination during sleep (enuresis), most common in children, that may have physical, developmental, or emotional contributing factors.

  • Burnout

    A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, characterised by detachment, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness.

    Learn more about Burnout

Professional Title:

  • Clinical Psychologist

    An advanced mental health professional trained to assess and treat a wide range of difficulties, from anxiety and depression to trauma and complex conditions.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council Of South Africa (HPCSA); Board of Health Funders (BHF)

Clinical

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Qualifications

Pretoria

Service Areas

University of Pretoria

In-person & Online

Clydesdale

Pretoria, Gauteng

South Africa

Clydesdale, Pretoria, South Africa