Dan is a counselling psychologist
who enjoys working with
adolescents, adults and couples
Sundowner, Johannesburg
Meet Dan
Counselling Psychologist working with the unique challenges of adults, couples & adolescents/teenagers
About Dan
Dan is a counselling psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as well as the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF). Prior to completing his Master’s degree at Wits, Dan volunteered as a telephonic counsellor at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). He also volunteered at Headway, at the Alexandra branch, where he assisted people who had traumatic brain injuries.
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BSc (Wits), BA (Hons) Psychology (Wits), MA Couns. Psyc. (Wits)
HPCSA: PS 0143421 Prac No. 0815756
Dan received his training at the University of the Witwatersrand, completing a BSc, BA (Hons) and MA (Community-Based Counselling Psychology). He completed his internship at Ububele Education and Psychotherapy Trust where his interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy and community interventions continued to grow. Dan's Master’s and internship years provided him with the skills and interest in both psychotherapy and community work as he dealt with a broad range of challenges and difficulties. Dan has also completed the two year ‘Working with Groups’ course at Ububele. This course is internationally accredited by the Institute of Group Analysis, London, giving him further knowledge and training in running and working with groups. Dan opened his private practice in 2019 and enjoys working with adults, adolescents and couples in his practice. Since 2019, Dan's focus has moved to growing his practice and creating a space of exploration and growth for his clients.
Dan continues to grow his skills and expertise. He is part of a theoretical reading group and he also attends monthly online courses. These allow for continued professional development and give Dan up-to-date knowledge on best practices in order for him to best serve his clients. Dan enjoys uncovering and challenging certain, expected ways of being and thinking. In so doing, he hopes to add to the development of a more equal society as well as allowing the opportunity for individual exploration of the self. Dan aims to assist people in gaining insight and awareness which in turn may help clients in gaining self-acceptance and improving one’s own quality of life.
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Dan's Approach
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
The decision to enter therapy is courageous yet sometimes difficult, and Dan aims to offer his clients a safe and supportive space so that they can allow themselves the time and patience needed to better understand themselves and their presenting concerns. During the initial stages of therapy, and throughout the process, the goals of therapy are discussed and agreed upon. Dan is trained to primarily work from a psychodynamic approach. However, the techniques he uses will differ dependent on each client's individual needs and the goals of therapy. The psychodynamic perspective suggests that each person has unconscious processes and drives which are not accessible to our conscious minds.
One’s unconscious develops from early experiences and drives. It continues to develop and interact with the external world, shaping our relationships and the way that we view ourselves. Within this modality, it is believed that childhood experiences are crucial in the development of one’s personality. Our behaviour and feelings are powerfully affected by unconscious processes. People and their personalities are affected by and affect the people around them. Psychotherapy provides a safe space for people to explore themselves without the need for the constraints that society often places on us. Dan views therapy as a process in which we can express our thoughts, experiences and feelings, slowly allowing for the exploration of the unconscious. The therapy that Dan offers aims at developing an understanding of one’s self so as to create deep and enduring changes in one’s life. Therapy is driven at times by the client and at others by the therapist in an attempt to gain insight and awareness. However, we are complex beings and therapy differs, based on the needs of each person. Dan believes that the primary road to healing and growth occurs through the relationship that develops between a person and a therapist. Dan hopes to assist his clients and he values all that he has learned and continues to learn from his clients.
For bookings and more information please send your inquiry to danrsly@gmail.com
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