CM Pieterse Counselling
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ABOUT ME

CM Pieterse Counselling > About Me

ABOUT ME

Hello, my name is Cornelia, I am a passionate and experienced Registered Counsellor dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and rediscover their inner strength. Since 2015, I have been providing counselling services in a variety of settings, cultivating a deep understanding of human complexities across different cultures and backgrounds. I am bilingual in Afrikaans and English, and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF).

Over the past eight years I have had the privilege of working across a variety of contexts, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, corporate wellness programs, special needs environments, and international online platforms. These experiences have allowed me to support individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting mental well-being, reducing stigma, and encouraging help-seeking behaviours. 

My work spans diverse environments, including:

  • International online platforms (Relate Australia and Fitsy Health Dubai),
  • In Churches (Christian Revival Church, Lewende Woord Midrand and on a referral network at Kerk Sonder Mure),
  • In Hospitals (Steve Biko Academic Hospital),
  • In Rehabilitation Centres (Phyllis Robertson Home for Disabled Adults and Twane Rehabilitation Hospital),
  • In Corporate Wellness Companies (Work Force Health and Trauma Call),
  • In Schools (Pretoria Girls High and a Private University Eduvos private student clinic Khula Clinic),
  • In Special needs schools(Unica School for Autism and New Hope School for learners with Cerebral-palsy Autism and other cognitive challenges)
  • In my own Private Practice in Groen Kloof recently relocated to Medicross Saxby, Eldoraigne, Centurion.

I believe in creating a engaging and non-judgmental space where clients feel deeply heard, supported, and empowered. My counselling approach is person centred, systemic and eclectic in nature, blending evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and more, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of every client.

As a Registered Counsellor with the HPCSA and BHF, my expertise spans Individual Counselling, Couples Counselling, Trauma Interventions, Adolescent Counselling, Parental Guidance, Work Shop Development, Research, Skills Development, Psychoeducation, and more. Whether you’re grappling with personal struggles, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions, I am here to walk with you on your journey to healing and self-discovery. For the past four years, I’ve run a thriving private practice, earning a reputation for my results-driven and compassionate approach to care.

At the heart of my work is a belief in each person’s potential to reclaim their truth and rediscover their inner querencia—the space where they feel most grounded, authentic, and resilient. Life’s challenges can shake that sense of stability, but like the bull in the ring that returns to its querencia with fierce determination, you, too, can rediscover your strength and autonomy.

This process is not linear—it is a journey of coddiwompling, “traveling purposefully toward an undefined destination”. Together, we will navigate life’s twists and turns with courage and clarity, embracing uncertainty as a catalyst for growth. As your counsellor, I will be your steadfast ally, providing insights, strategies, and encouragement as you chart a path toward authenticity and self-agency.

Become mindful of what you say
after all you do converse with
yourself the most

- CM Pieterse

My Scope of Practice

As a Registered psychological professional registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), I am qualified to intervene in order to improve the psychological well-being of individuals, children, adolescents, the elderly, employees, couples, families and the community as a whole. My training is as a front-line mental health professional, like that of a general medical practitioner (GP) in the medical field. Health Professions Council of South-Africa (HPCSA) Registered Counsellors are the general practitioners of psychology, and as a result are able to claim from most medical aids. In cases where the presenting problem falls outside of my scope of practice, or requires more specialised interventions. I am able provide clients with a written letter of referral to other medical practitioners in the field, in order to prioritise the best interest of my client and their progress.

My Qualifications

In the field of Counselling and Psychology, I first acquired training in Christian Counselling from Paster Sharon Palson. After working in the field of Christian counselling for a period I became more and more curious about secular approaches to psychological interventions outside of the parameters of the laws of the bible and religion.

As such I enrolled on a B Psych Honour in Psychology Degree at a private International University Pearson Institute of Higher Education.

After completing a six-year BA and Honours degree, one mandatory practical year, along with two voluntary years to gain some further personal insight as to which field of psychology I would like to focus on. I wrote the board exam and received my registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF).

Following this I have been doing post-graduate continues development intervention courses in order to provide clients with the most relevant evidence-based interventions in private practice.

I do not believe that mall adaptive coping mechanisms are set in stone. Some patterns might be ridged and more resistant to change but this is often a result of the system that reinforces and rewards mall adaptive patterns of behaviour.

Extended Qualifications in Counselling Modalities

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT): A cognitive-behavioural approach that emphasizes emotional regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, primarily used for individuals with borderline personality disorder and emotional dysregulation.

Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR): A method designed to help individuals process and reduce the emotional charge associated with traumatic memories through focused revisiting and desensitization techniques.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A widely used approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours, helping clients develop healthier coping strategies.

Imago Relationship Therapy: A couple’s therapy approach that emphasizes understanding each partner’s childhood experiences and how they shape current relationship dynamics, fostering empathy and communication.

Gottman Relationship Therapy: Based on extensive research, this method focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and building emotional intimacy in romantic relationships.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding them, while committing to actions aligned with their values.

The Asset-Based Life Skill Approach: Focuses on identifying and leveraging clients’ strengths and resources to enhance resilience and promote personal development.

Problem Management Approaches: A systematic method for identifying and addressing specific problems in a structured way, often incorporating problem-solving skills and strategies.

Behaviourist Approaches: Involves techniques such as classical and operant conditioning to modify behaviour through reinforcement and punishment strategies.

Strength-Based Approaches: Concentrates on identifying and utilizing clients’ strengths and abilities to foster empowerment and resilience, rather than focusing solely on problems.

Exposure Therapy: A technique used to help individuals confront and reduce their fear or anxiety about specific situations or stimuli by gradually exposing them to what they fear in a controlled manner.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT): Specifically designed for children and adolescents, TF-CBT integrates cognitive-behavioural techniques with trauma-sensitive principles to address the effects of trauma.

Narrative Therapy: A collaborative approach that helps individuals reframe and reshape their personal narratives, empowering them to see themselves as authors of their own stories.

Somatic Experiencing: A body-oriented therapy that focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body, helping clients become more aware of their physical sensations and processes.

Stress Inoculation Training: A cognitive-behavioural technique that helps individuals develop coping skills to manage stress and anxiety by gradually exposing them to stressors in a controlled manner.

Trans Theoretical Models of Change: A framework that outlines the stages of change individuals go through when modifying behaviour, guiding interventions to match clients’ readiness for change.

Positive Psychology Interventions: Techniques aimed at enhancing well-being and happiness by focusing on strengths, positive emotions, and meaningful experiences.

Experiential Focusing: A technique that encourages clients to connect with their inner experiences and bodily sensations, fostering insight and emotional awareness.

Motivational Interviewing: A client-centred approach designed to enhance motivation and commitment to change, often used in addiction treatment and behaviour modification.

Solution-focused therapy: Is a brief, goal-oriented approach that focuses on solutions rather than problems. It emphasizes strengths and future goals. Often used for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma.

"We know what we are, but not what we may be"

- William Shakespeare

My approach

As a Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and BHF-registered Counsellor, I take a person-centred, systemic, and eclectic approach to psychological counselling, integrating a wide range of therapeutic modalities to provide personalized support tailored to each client’s unique needs. My training spans various techniques, including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Imago Relationship Therapy, Gottman Relationship Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among others.
 

A Person-Centred, Systemic, and Eclectic Approach

This approach is designed to address the psychological and emotional challenges of individuals by drawing from multiple therapeutic methods, considering the whole person within their context. Here’s how it works:

Key Components:

  • A Systemic Perspective: This approach takes into account the broader context of an individual’s life, such as their family, relationships, and social environment. It recognizes that a person is deeply influenced by these systems, and positive change often requires addressing and understanding these dynamics.
  • An Eclectic Approach: By integrating a range of therapeutic modalities, I draw on techniques such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and others. I select the most appropriate methods based on the client’s specific challenges, preferences, and goals.
  • A Person-Centred Approach: This method prioritizes the individual’s experience and perspective. It emphasizes empathy, understanding, and unconditional positive regard, creating a safe and non-judgmental space where clients feel valued and supported in their journey toward healing.

How it Works:

  1. Assessment: I start by conducting a thorough assessment to understand the client’s concerns, goals, and strengths. This may involve gathering information about their personal history, relationships, and current challenges.

  2. Understanding the Context: Together, we explore the broader systemic influences in the client’s life, such as their family dynamics, social environment, and interpersonal relationships. By understanding these factors, we can identify how they impact the client’s mental and emotional well-being.

  3. Therapeutic Techniques: Based on the assessment, I tailor the therapeutic approach to meet the client’s unique needs, drawing on a variety of techniques, such as:

    • Cognitive-behavioural techniques to address negative thought patterns and behaviours.
    • Psychodynamic methods to explore unconscious influences and past experiences.
    • Humanistic techniques to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and acceptance.
    • Mindfulness-based strategies to enhance emotional regulation and attention
    • Family therapy techniques to address interpersonal issues and improve communication

  4. Collaboration and Empowerment: Throughout the therapeutic process, I work collaboratively with the client, helping them explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. The goal is to empower clients to gain deeper self-awareness and make meaningful changes in their lives.

  5. Regular Review and Adjustment: I continuously review the progress with the client and adjust the therapeutic approach as needed. This ensures the therapy remains relevant and effective, adapting to the client’s evolving needs.

Benefits of this Approach:

  • Flexibility: The ability to tailor interventions based on the individual’s needs and preferences.
  • Holistic: Considers the client’s broader life context, including family dynamics, relationships, and social influences.
  • Empathy and Support: Emphasizes creating a safe, compassionate environment where the client feels heard and understood.
  • Personalized Healing: Integrates a variety of techniques to address the complex nature of the client’s mental and emotional challenges.

By combining person-centred, systemic, and eclectic approaches, I offer a comprehensive and individualized path toward healing and growth, helping clients achieve greater mental well-being in the context of their lives.

An Example of a Person Centred Systemic Eclectic Approach

Example of a Person-Centred, Systemic, Eclectic Approach in counselling:

Let’s consider a hypothetical client, “Sarah,” who seeks psychological counselling to address feelings of stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction in her personal and professional life.

1.Assessment & Understanding the Context:

When Sarah first comes to counselling, I begin with a thorough assessment to understand her presenting issues. Through a series of open-ended, person-centred questions, I create a safe space where Sarah feels comfortable sharing her thoughts, feelings, and life experiences. Sarah explains that she feels overwhelmed at work, struggles with her relationship with her partner, and is often anxious about her future.

In the systemic part of the assessment, I explore Sarah’s family background, work dynamics, and social environment. She reveals that she grew up in a family where there was little emotional expression and that her partner often exhibits similar communication patterns. Her work environment is demanding, and she feels unsupported by colleagues and her manager. These factors give us insight into the broader systems affecting Sarah’s mental health and emotional well-being.

2.Goal Setting & Exploring Strengths:

Next, we collaboratively set clear and achievable goals. Sarah expresses a desire to reduce her anxiety and improve her relationship with her partner. Instead of focusing solely on past problems, we look forward to what she hopes to accomplish. For instance, she wants to learn how to manage stress effectively and communicate better with her partner.

As part of the eclectic approach, I also work with Sarah to identify her existing strengths. Sarah realizes that despite her stress, she has always been resilient and has coped well in difficult situations in the past. She also values her creativity and ability to problem-solve, which she can use to navigate challenges in both her personal and professional life.

3.Tailored Therapeutic Interventions:

Based on the goals and the systemic understanding of Sarah’s life, I integrate various therapeutic techniques that would suit her needs.

  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): We work together to identify negative thought patterns that are fuelling Sarah’s anxiety, such as “I’ll never be good enough” or “I’m a failure if I can’t balance everything perfectly.” Through CBT, we explore healthier, more realistic ways of thinking that reduce her anxiety and stress. We practice re-framing thoughts to foster self-compassion and realistic expectations.

  • Mindfulness-Based Strategies: Sarah often experiences anxiety because she gets caught in cycles of rumination. We introduce mindfulness exercises to help Sarah become more aware of her thoughts and emotions without judgment. Techniques such as breathing exercises and body scans help Sarah stay present, reducing her overall anxiety.

  • Imago Relationship Therapy & Communication Skills: Since Sarah has tension in her relationship, we use Imago Relationship Therapy to help her understand how early family dynamics impact her current communication patterns. I guide her through exercises with her partner that encourage empathetic listening and non-judgmental dialogue, helping Sarah communicate more openly and calmly with her partner.

  • Family Systems Therapy: We explore how Sarah’s family upbringing influences her current stress levels and emotional reactions. Through family systems techniques, we identify unhealthy family patterns, like emotional withdrawal, that are still affecting her today. We discuss how Sarah can create healthier boundaries and establish more supportive ways to engage with her family.

4.Collaboration & Empowerment:

Throughout the therapeutic process, I ensure that Sarah remains an active participant in her journey. She is encouraged to reflect on her progress, reassess her goals as needed, and share feedback on which techniques are working best for her. Sarah also takes responsibility for implementing the strategies we discuss in her day-to-day life, ensuring that she feels empowered in her own healing process.

5.Regular Review & Adjustment:

At the end of each session, we review Sarah’s progress towards her goals. She shares that she has started using mindfulness exercises to manage her stress and has noticed improvements in her emotional regulation. However, she still feels challenged when it comes to managing her anxiety at work. Together, we tweak our approach, incorporating more stress-management techniques and considering new ways to communicate assertively with her colleagues.

Over time, Sarah begins to feel more in control of her anxiety and more connected with her partner. She starts to feel empowered in her work environment as well, taking small, manageable steps toward creating a better work-life balance. The therapeutic approach remains flexible and responsive to Sarah’s evolving needs.

Conclusion: This example illustrates how a person-centred, systemic, eclectic approach can be applied in a real-world counselling context. By integrating various therapeutic techniques and focusing on Sarah’s strengths, relationships, and life systems, we work collaboratively toward her well-being. This holistic and tailored approach empowers Sarah to take active steps toward her goals while navigating her challenges with increased self-awareness and support.

Example of a Person centred, Systemic Eclectic Approach in couples counselling

Example of a Person-Centred, Systemic, Eclectic Approach in Couples Counselling

Let’s imagine a couple, Emma and James, seeking couples counselling to address communication issues and growing emotional distance in their relationship.

1.Assessment & Understanding the Context:

In the initial session, I take a person-centred approach, creating a safe, empathetic space where both Emma and James feel heard and understood. I encourage them to openly express their feelings, perspectives, and concerns without judgment. Emma shares that she feels neglected and disconnected from James, while James expresses frustration about not being able to meet Emma’s emotional needs, despite his efforts. He feels like his attempts to communicate are often met with criticism.

From a systemic perspective, I explore their relational dynamics, family histories, and external factors that might be influencing their relationship. Emma grew up in a household where emotional expression was limited, and she often felt ignored. James, on the other hand, came from a family that valued open communication, but one where conflicts were often resolved by “sweeping things under the rug.” These family dynamics can help explain why Emma tends to withdraw emotionally, while James pushes for more open dialogue, sometimes in ways that feel confrontational to Emma.

2.Goal Setting & Exploring Strengths:

Together, we establish clear, mutual goals for the counselling process. Emma expresses a desire for greater emotional connection, while James wants more effective communication. The goal is not to blame or rehash past issues but to focus on creating a healthier dynamic moving forward.

We also explore the strengths each partner brings to the relationship. For example, James has a strong desire to make things work and is committed to improving his communication. Emma values stability and loyalty and recognizes that she has the ability to express her feelings but struggles to do so without feeling overwhelmed.

3.Tailored Therapeutic Interventions:

Based on their goals and the systemic context of their relationship, I integrate various therapeutic techniques to address their unique needs.

  • Imago Relationship Therapy: Using Imago Therapy, we work on enhancing communication by practicing the Imago Dialogue technique. I guide Emma and James through structured exercises where they mirror each other’s words, validate each other’s feelings, and empathize with each other’s experiences. This helps them feel heard and understood without the need for immediate solutions or defensiveness, fostering a deeper emotional connection.

  • Gottman Relationship Therapy: From Gottman’s approach, we focus on building a “Sound Relationship House.” I guide Emma and James in creating shared meaning and understanding in their relationship, by identifying their individual needs and values, and learning to support each other in ways that promote emotional intimacy. We also work on managing conflict effectively, using specific techniques to reduce negative interactions like criticism or defensiveness.

  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Drawing from CBT, we address the unhelpful thoughts and patterns that both Emma and James may have when dealing with conflict. Emma may often interpret James’s attempts to communicate as criticism, while James may believe that Emma’s emotional withdrawal means she doesn’t care. By exploring these cognitive distortions, we work to replace them with healthier, more constructive ways of thinking and responding.

4. Mindfulness Techniques:

Mindfulness-based techniques are incorporated to help both partners stay present during discussions and reduce emotional reactivity. I guide Emma and James through breathing exercises or grounding techniques to help them regulate their emotions during tense moments. This enables them to respond with greater calm and clarity, rather than reacting impulsively.

5. Collaboration & Empowerment:

Throughout the process, I maintain a person-centered and collaborative approach, ensuring that Emma and James are active participants in the therapeutic journey. I encourage both partners to reflect on their own behaviours, communication styles, and emotional responses, helping them recognize their roles in the relationship dynamic. We work together to empower them to take ownership of their actions and create change within their relationship.

For example, Emma practices speaking up about her feelings in a way that’s non-confrontational, and James learns to listen more attentively, without rushing to “fix” things. They both commit to regularly checking in with each other emotionally and applying the skills they’ve learned in sessions.

4.Regular Review & Adjustment:

We regularly review the progress of therapy. In our follow-up sessions, Emma and James report that they are communicating more openly and have had fewer arguments, but still struggle with emotional intimacy at times. I adjust our approach, incorporating additional family systems therapy techniques to explore deeper, unresolved issues from their childhoods that might be contributing to their emotional distance. We also revisit Gottman’s concepts, focusing on building positive rituals of connection, like spending quality time together, to strengthen their emotional bond.

Conclusion:

In this example, the person-cantered, systemic, eclectic approach is applied to couples therapy by considering the unique emotional needs and life contexts of both partners while integrating various therapeutic techniques. The focus is not just on solving immediate problems, but on understanding the deeper relational dynamics at play, creating open communication, and fostering emotional intimacy.

By integrating methods such as Imago Relationship Therapy, Gottman’s strategies, CBT, and mindfulness, Emma and James are empowered to improve both their communication and emotional connection. The systemic perspective ensures that they address broader issues, like family influences and personal histories, while the person-cantered approach provides empathy and validation, ensuring that both partners feel understood and valued throughout the therapeutic process.

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012 660 2356
064 525 1978
Medicross Saxby,
1053 Frederik Ave, Eldoraigne,
Centurion, Pretoria, 0157

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