Chronic Illness Therapists in Port Elizabeth

Henning Gericke
Registered Counsellor, HPCSA - Counsellor
Serves Area
My ideal clients are individuals and families navigating chronic illness, serious medical diagnoses, or palliative care journeys.
I provide counselling for individuals and families facing chronic illness, serious diagnoses, and palliative care journeys. My approach helps clients process difficult emotions, cope with uncertainty, and find grounding during medical and life transitions, while strengthening resilience, communication, and meaning in challenging circumstances.
My ideal clients are individuals and families navigating chronic illness, serious medical diagnoses, or palliative care journeys.
I provide counselling for individuals and families facing chronic illness, serious diagnoses, and palliative care journeys. My approach helps clients process difficult emotions, cope with uncertainty, and find grounding during medical and life transitions, while strengthening resilience, communication, and meaning in challenging circumstances.
084 209 5930 View 084 209 5930
Siska Plekker
General Counsellor
Online Only
I work with adults living with the lasting effects of childhood trauma, chronic stress, and emotional overwhelm — including those who feel stuck in survival mode, disconnected from themselves, or repeating patterns in relationships and self-worth. Many feel they have lost their identity or never fully developed a sense of who they are. I also work with women who feel lost — through motherhood, divorce, or simply years of putting everyone else first. My clients want more than insight. They want emotional stability, practical tools, healthier coping, and a grounded sense of direction and purpose — working with both the mind and body.
I work with adults living with the lasting effects of childhood trauma, chronic stress, and emotional overwhelm — including those who feel stuck in survival mode, disconnected from themselves, or repeating patterns in relationships and self-worth. Many feel they have lost their identity or never fully developed a sense of who they are. I also work with women who feel lost — through motherhood, divorce, or simply years of putting everyone else first. My clients want more than insight. They want emotional stability, practical tools, healthier coping, and a grounded sense of direction and purpose — working with both the mind and body.
087 250 2148 x53 View 087 250 2148 x53
Mia Pienaar
Registered Counsellor, MPsych, HPCSA - Counsellor
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
Let's talk about how evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques can help you to manage anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, chronic pain and living with chronic illness.
Through my research, practical experience, and personal experience, I can offer you understanding, a space to be heard, and evidence-based techniques to empower you, boost your insight into yourself, and stimulate your healing.
Let's talk about how evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques can help you to manage anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, chronic pain and living with chronic illness.
Through my research, practical experience, and personal experience, I can offer you understanding, a space to be heard, and evidence-based techniques to empower you, boost your insight into yourself, and stimulate your healing.
087 250 2962 x72 View 087 250 2962 x72
Roxanne Goodchild Specialist Wellness Counsellor
General Counsellor
1 Endorsed
Online Only
You are unique, with your own strengths and weaknesses. With the right perspective and tools, you can overcome great challenges. There is much to be gained by working through our challenges- a fuller, more authentic and abundant life. But admitting that you're facing troubles, that you need assistance or that you do not feel fulfilled is the first step. Reach out if you need a safe space & an empathetic ear to work through difficulties, and to discover the hope that lies beyond what you have experienced. "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in given circumstances"
You are unique, with your own strengths and weaknesses. With the right perspective and tools, you can overcome great challenges. There is much to be gained by working through our challenges- a fuller, more authentic and abundant life. But admitting that you're facing troubles, that you need assistance or that you do not feel fulfilled is the first step. Reach out if you need a safe space & an empathetic ear to work through difficulties, and to discover the hope that lies beyond what you have experienced. "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in given circumstances"
087 250 2748 x43 View 087 250 2748 x43
Sakhile Msweli
Psychologist, MA, HPCSA - Clin. Psych.
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
You may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or lost. Perhaps you're navigating life transitions, past trauma, identity questions, or difficult relationships. You want to feel more grounded, connected, and empowered—but the path isn’t always clear. I offer a compassionate space where you can pause, breathe, and begin to make sense of your experiences in ways that honour who you are and who you are becoming.
You may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or lost. Perhaps you're navigating life transitions, past trauma, identity questions, or difficult relationships. You want to feel more grounded, connected, and empowered—but the path isn’t always clear. I offer a compassionate space where you can pause, breathe, and begin to make sense of your experiences in ways that honour who you are and who you are becoming.
087 250 0062 x14 View 087 250 0062 x14
Bongiwe Mpukwana
Social Worker, BSocSci Hons, SACSSP
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
As an experienced social worker, I understand the complexities of life’s challenges and the impact they can have on your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, work-related stress, or difficulties in personal relationships, I’m here to offer guidance and support. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, uncertain about your path forward, or struggling to cope with unresolved trauma. Perhaps you’re seeking a space where you can explore these feelings without judgment, where your voice is heard, and your experiences are valued. You don’t have to go through this journey alone.
As an experienced social worker, I understand the complexities of life’s challenges and the impact they can have on your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, work-related stress, or difficulties in personal relationships, I’m here to offer guidance and support. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, uncertain about your path forward, or struggling to cope with unresolved trauma. Perhaps you’re seeking a space where you can explore these feelings without judgment, where your voice is heard, and your experiences are valued. You don’t have to go through this journey alone.
087 250 2042 x58 View 087 250 2042 x58
Perishka Coopoo
Psychologist, MA, HPCSA - Couns. Psych.
Serves Area
You might be someone who’s held a lot—quietly, competently, often alone. You long for space that’s gentle, honest, and attuned. Maybe you’re navigating trauma, grief, burnout, identity shifts, or relational pain. You want clarity without pressure, care without performance. Therapy is collaborative, paced with consent, and shaped by your voice. You don’t need to be “ready”—just willing to be met.
You might be someone who’s held a lot—quietly, competently, often alone. You long for space that’s gentle, honest, and attuned. Maybe you’re navigating trauma, grief, burnout, identity shifts, or relational pain. You want clarity without pressure, care without performance. Therapy is collaborative, paced with consent, and shaped by your voice. You don’t need to be “ready”—just willing to be met.
082 238 7170 View 082 238 7170
Danieyella Rodin Drama Therapy
Art Therapist, MA
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
I work with couples, adults, and adolescents navigating trauma, relationships, and life transitions such as relocating abroad, becoming a parent, or changing careers. Sessions are held online, or in-person in Emmarentia Johannesburg. Together we uncover the stories shaping your experiences, trace their roots, and gently reshape them — or create new ones — so you can face challenges with greater strength, insight, and flexibility. My clients recognise that lasting change emerges through honest reflection, imagination and embodied integration.
I work with couples, adults, and adolescents navigating trauma, relationships, and life transitions such as relocating abroad, becoming a parent, or changing careers. Sessions are held online, or in-person in Emmarentia Johannesburg. Together we uncover the stories shaping your experiences, trace their roots, and gently reshape them — or create new ones — so you can face challenges with greater strength, insight, and flexibility. My clients recognise that lasting change emerges through honest reflection, imagination and embodied integration.
087 250 2748 x94 View 087 250 2748 x94

More Therapists Nearby

Sisanda Mapekula
Social Worker, SACSSP
My ideal clients are adults navigating grief, trauma, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or emotional challenges that have become difficult to manage alone. They may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves and others. Through compassionate, collaborative therapy, we help clients understand their experiences, build on their strengths, develop practical coping strategies, and move toward greater emotional wellbeing and a more fulfilling life.
My ideal clients are adults navigating grief, trauma, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or emotional challenges that have become difficult to manage alone. They may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves and others. Through compassionate, collaborative therapy, we help clients understand their experiences, build on their strengths, develop practical coping strategies, and move toward greater emotional wellbeing and a more fulfilling life.
087 250 0409 x25 View 087 250 0409 x25
Karen Maree
Social Worker, SACSSP
Westering 6025
Life can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, seeking support is a courageous first step toward healing. I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences, gain insight, and develop practical tools for lasting change. I believe that every person has inherent worth and resilience, and my role is to walk alongside you as you navigate life's challenges and move toward greater wellbeing.
Life can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, seeking support is a courageous first step toward healing. I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences, gain insight, and develop practical tools for lasting change. I believe that every person has inherent worth and resilience, and my role is to walk alongside you as you navigate life's challenges and move toward greater wellbeing.
087 250 0609 x80 View 087 250 0609 x80
Nolwazi Somtsewu
Psychologist, MA, HPCSA - Couns. Psych.
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
I am a registered Counselling psychologist, with 16 years' experience in supporting clients with career planning and management, study, personal challenges affecting their wellbeing, performance and life satisfaction. I also help with employment preparation, adjustment to preparation for retirement. I am compassionate, and love to help clients to empower themselves to lead meaningful and fulfilling life. I am a firm believer in human potential and working collaboratively with my clients for their personal growth. My services are online and face to face, to individuals, groups, and organizations.
I am a registered Counselling psychologist, with 16 years' experience in supporting clients with career planning and management, study, personal challenges affecting their wellbeing, performance and life satisfaction. I also help with employment preparation, adjustment to preparation for retirement. I am compassionate, and love to help clients to empower themselves to lead meaningful and fulfilling life. I am a firm believer in human potential and working collaboratively with my clients for their personal growth. My services are online and face to face, to individuals, groups, and organizations.
087 250 2477 x38 View 087 250 2477 x38
Carla McIntosh
Registered Counsellor, HPCSA - Counsellor
My compassionate yet candid approach shifts clients from points of overcoming traumatic experiences through to living effectively with life or mental health or interpersonal challenges, chronic illness & loss.
With the ever-changing, fast paced and demanding world we live in, living in “harmony” is becoming more challenging. All we may need is to make sense of, refine or redefine how we live, work, socialise and express our core purpose. My life and work experiences create the space for conversations of “discovery and expression” – no matter who you are or what you are going through.
My compassionate yet candid approach shifts clients from points of overcoming traumatic experiences through to living effectively with life or mental health or interpersonal challenges, chronic illness & loss.
With the ever-changing, fast paced and demanding world we live in, living in “harmony” is becoming more challenging. All we may need is to make sense of, refine or redefine how we live, work, socialise and express our core purpose. My life and work experiences create the space for conversations of “discovery and expression” – no matter who you are or what you are going through.
087 250 0782 x70 View 087 250 0782 x70

Online Therapists

Susan Louise McGarvie
General Counsellor, PhD
Whether you're struggling to navigate difficult life circumstances, or feeling like you're ready to take action and make positive life changes, finding someone to support and guide you is a healthy and courageous step.
Whether you're struggling to navigate difficult life circumstances, or feeling like you're ready to take action and make positive life changes, finding someone to support and guide you is a healthy and courageous step.
087 250 2148 x38 View 087 250 2148 x38
Chronic Illness Counsellors
How does therapy for chronic illness work?
Many people living with a chronic illness may feel they cannot speak honestly about their experience out of embarrassment or fear of being a burden, or because those close to them do not understand, for example, that they may “look good” even if they do not feel good. Therapy sessions are an opportunity to speak openly with someone who knows their symptoms are not in their head and who can offer practical, proven suggestions for managing feelings of grief, shame, or fatigue, such as techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts about symptoms and develop new ways to respond to them, such as distraction or calming breathing practices.

Can therapy help with physical symptoms of chronic illness?
Yes, especially if an individual with chronic illness has developed depression. People with depression are less likely to maintain their health treatment regimens or to take positive steps to manage physical symptoms when they arise, thereby potentially complicating their medical prognosis. Treatment of depression, through talk therapy, medication, or both, will often improve one’s physical state as it eases the emotional burden of illness.

What are the most effective treatment options for chronic illness?
No one living with a chronic illness, or their loved ones, should see depression as an unavoidable result of their condition. Instead, they should actively seek treatment. Research shows that people with depression are less likely to devote the required time and effort to maintaining or monitoring their health, and so therapy to limit the risk of depression can be vital for physical health as well. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been found to help individuals reduce stress and anxiety.

How long does therapy for chronic illness take?
There is no set timeline for therapy for people living with chronic illnesses, but many will see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 weekly sessions. Some people feel that they experience progress faster than others but even some who quickly feel improvement may continue with sessions for months or years. Some people may benefit from maintenance therapy if their symptoms change or they experience a decline in physical health. Others find that the skills learned in short-term therapy can be used on an ongoing basis, even after therapy has concluded.