Clinical Psychologist, Helping people grow
& blossom in their life.
Ayabonga Timakwe
Clinical Psychologist in JohannesburgI am a clinical psychologist in private practice, consulting in Johannesburg. I offer a safe and empathic space for my clients to come to a better understanding of themselves, their emotions and behaviours.
I completed my Masters degree and training in Clinical Psychology at the Child Guidance Clinic, University of Cape Town. My internship was at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. I gained extensive experience in psychometric and neuropsychological assessments as well as psychotherapy (play therapy for children, individual therapy, parent counselling, family therapy and couples therapy).
A. Timakwe
My Education
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University
Degree
Year
01
University of Cape Town
MA in Clinical Psychology
2020
02
University of Cape Town
B.Soc.Sci Honours in Psychology
2017
03
University of Cape Town
B.Soc.Sci
2016
Services I offer
It's my goal to create a comfortable, safe environment where we'll work together to achieve your goals.Individual Therapy
This is a one-on-one session between the therapist and client. Therapy is not only for times of crisis or emotional despair; it also assists with personal growth.
Psychological Assessments
This includes medico-legal assessments- following the request of a legal representative or third party; and cognitive assessments for school placement.
Family therapy
The aim is to facilitate a space where family members can resolve conflicts by improving communication between family members.
Couples therapy
This involves sessions with the couple and the therapist. The aim is to help improve communication, to address any conflicts that are being experienced by the couple and enhance the overall health of the relationship.
Play Therapy
This is a kind of therapy with children where we use play to explore a child’s emotions and deal with a child’s problems. Children may not always be able to articulate their problems with adults; therefore we use play to gain an insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural symptoms, and to foster growth and development.
Areas of Expertise
I work with most clinical disorders and psychological concerns. My areas of interest include, but are not limited to the following:
Anxiety and Depression
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Childhood behavioural concerns
Family problems
Grief
Parenting difficulties
Relational difficulties
Trauma
How I Work
I offer my clients a safe and comfortable space to explore their challenges. My approach is one of unconditional positive regard, empathy and collaboration. The aim is to help you develop better insight into your challenges and equip you with more appropriate coping strategies.
While my training has been largely from the psychodynamic school of thought and I have a keen interest in attachment theory, I am eclectic in my therapeutic approaches depending on the needs of my clients.
FAQ
I have never consulted with a psychologist, how does it work?
In order for me to render a service to you I need to do a proper evaluation. The first few sessions are used to explore your reasons for consulting. In the course of this evaluation I will ask you a number of questions about your symptoms, your personal history, relationships and so forth. Some of these questions may be very personal but I will not ask you anything that is not pertinent. Thereafter, we will discuss my recommendations and the way forward.
This could be either therapy or an assessment. Therapy usually brings improved personal growth in the long term. In the short term, however, it may be an unsettling experience, as it is usually an emotional experience. The purpose of therapy is to bring about changes in your circumstances. The success of therapy is influenced by a number of factors. One of the most important factors is the degree to which clients take responsibility to bring about change. For further information about the type of assessments I conduct, please contact me.
How long is a consultation?
The duration of a session is usually 60 minutes long. However, this depends on the needs of the clients. For example, for couples therapy and family therapy, 90 minutes is indicated.
What are your fees?
I charge medical aid rates for clients who are able to claim from their schemes. For those not on medical aid, I offer cash rates. Please enquire about this. I believe that mental health services should be accessible to everyone, therefore I reserve a limited number of appointments on a sliding scale basis, based on financial need.
Do you charge for missed/cancelled appointments?
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for all cancellations. Should the notice period be less than 24 hours, or should you not arrive, you will be charged in full for the session. This is because I am unable to use this time to see another client. Unfortunately, medical aids do not cover missed appointments – the fee will be for your personal account.