Is this right for me?
I’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. How is this different?
I understand that scepticism, and I’d be worried if you didn’t have it. This isn’t another quick
fix or a positive thinking exercise. It’s grounded in pain neuroscience, the same research
showing that in many cases of ongoing pain, the body has healed but the nervous system is
still sounding an alarm. We work directly with that alarm system, using approaches like Pain
Reprocessing Therapy, so the change is physiological, not just mindset.
Will you tell me my pain is “all in my head”?
No. Your pain is completely real. What the research shows is that real pain can be generated
by a nervous system stuck in high alert, even once the body has healed. Naming that isn’t the
same as saying it’s imagined. It’s actually the first step toward calming the alarm and finding
relief.
Do you have the right training to help me?
Yes. I have specialised training in mind-body approaches to chronic pain and am trained as a chronic pain coach and counsellor. I also bring personal experience of living with chronic pain, which gives me a deep understanding of the physical, emotional and practical challenges that chronic pain can bring. My qualifications and professional training include:
Certificates in: Addiction Coaching, Intrinsic Health & Wellbeing Coaching, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Practitioner, Emotion Awareness Expression Therapy (EAET)
Diplomas in Counselling and Communication; Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management (Univ. Cape Town);
Degrees: Bachelor in Applied Social Sciences; Honours in Counselling Psychology; Masters in Public Health, Research in Chronic Pain (Univ. Cape Town)
Is this instead of seeing my doctor?
No. We work alongside your medical care. Before we focus on the mind body side of things, I want
you to have a clear diagnosis and, where there’s a structural issue, ongoing support from your
doctor or a pain specialist. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them.
Is this coaching or therapy, and does it matter?
I work as a certified mind body coach and a registered counsellor (ASCHP), so I sit across both
coaching and counselling. In practice that means our sessions can hold both the practical,
forward facing coaching work and the deeper emotional processing, whichever you need in
the moment. If at any point I think you’d be better served by a psychologist or psychiatrist, I’ll
tell you directly and help you find the right person.
Cost and Affordability
How much does a session cost?
A single 60 minute session is $87 USD (international) or R817 (South Africa). There’s no
separate “consultation fee” or hidden cost. What you see is what you pay.
What if I can’t afford the full fee?
Please don’t let cost stop you from reaching out. I hold a limited number of sliding scale
spots for people who can’t manage the standard fee. Mention it when we speak and we’ll work
out something fair together.
Is this covered by medical aid or insurance?
Coaching isn’t something most medical aids or insurers
reimburse directly. I’m happy to provide an invoice with my registration details so you can
check with your own provider, in case your plan covers wellness or complementary care.
How do I pay, and is it safe? Payment is completed through
PayFast or through Wise if that feels more comfortable, and you’ll only ever be asked to pay after each session.
Do I have to commit to a set number of sessions?
No. There’s no minimum contract. (Suggested framing, since there’s currently no fixed
package: ) Every healing journey is different, so we don’t lock you into a number upfront.
Many clients start to feel a shift in how they relate to their pain within the first few sessions,
and lasting change usually builds over several months of consistent work. We’ll check in
regularly on how it’s going and you’re always free to pause or stop.
Getting Started
What happens after I book the free 30 minute call?
The free discovery call itself is just a
conversation, no pressure, no obligation. If it feels like a good fit for both of us, I’ll follow up
by email with everything you need to book your first paid session, including cost and how to
pay. There’s no expectation that you decide on the spot.
What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours’
notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may still be billed at the full rate.
Do I need any special equipment or experience?
No. Just a quiet, private space and an internet connection. Sessions are held online, so you
can join from home, and no prior experience with coaching or therapy is needed. It is important, however, that you have had appropriate medical assessment for your pain, including any examinations, blood tests or imaging that your healthcare provider considers necessary, so that underlying medical conditions or structural problems can be identified and appropriately managed. If you are unsure whether you have had the right investigations, we can talk this through together.
Is everything I share confidential?
Yes. As a registered counsellor with ASCHP, I’m bound by a professional code of ethics around
confidentiality. This is a space to be fully honest without worrying about who else will know.
Is this suitable for anyone, at any age?
Sessions are for adults and older teens, 16 and up. If you’re not sure whether this is the right
fit for your situation, bring that question to the free call rather than guessing. It’s exactly what
that call is for.
