Kirsten Nefdt , MA (South Africa)

As a dedicated and compassionate mental health professional, I bring a relational approach to therapy grounded in kindness, empathy, and authenticity. I am committed to creating a safe and respectful therapeutic space where individuals feel empowered to be their true selves and engage meaningfully in their journey toward healing and growth.

I truly love working with individuals across the lifespan—from young children and adolescents to adults and families. I find great meaning in supporting children, teenagers, and young adults as they navigate developmental and emotional challenges, and I equally value the depth and richness of working with adults at various life stages. My work with adults has included supporting a wide range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment difficulties, interpersonal struggles, and identity-related issues. I am deeply attuned to the unique transitions and complexities that both young people and adults face, and I approach each client with curiosity, care, and a commitment to tailoring therapy to their individual needs and goals.

I take a client-centered and holistic approach to therapy, often working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure the highest quality of care. I believe that therapy should be a flexible, empowering, and collaborative experience—one that honors each person’s story and strengths. 

My clinical background includes experience in both public and private sectors in Cape Town, South Africa, across psychiatric, forensic, and neurodevelopmental settings. These diverse environments have equipped me with strong assessment and intervention skills, and the adaptability to support a wide range of clients in a variety of contexts.

Works with Clients:
Children (1 yr+), Adolescents, Adults (18 yrs+)

Languages:
English

Services Offered

• Individual Therapy
• Couple Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Sibling Therapy
• Relational Therapy
• Parental Guidance
• Parent Intake
• Psychometric Assessment

Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Systemic Therapy
• Integrative Therapy
• Compassion Focused Therapy
• Internal Family Systems
• Attachment-Based Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Presenting Concerns

General Concerns: 

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Low mood or depression
• Personal growth and self-improvement
• Adjustment to recent life events or circumstances (Not trauma)

Specific Concerns: 

• Obsessive, repetitive and ritualistic thinking and behaviour
• Anger, irritability, emotional outbursts and severe moodswings
• Situation-specific fear and phobias
• Unusual sensations, thoughts or beliefs not shared by others
• Issues with body, weight, food, eating
• Chronic illness, pain, lifethreatening or terminal illnesses, end-of-life

Relationship Concerns: 

• General dissatisfaction or improvement of romantic relationships
• High conflict and aggression concerns in romantic relationships
• Affairs, infidelity and intimacy-related concerns in romantic relationships
• Divorce, separation and break-ups in romantic relationships
• Family and family relationship concerns
• Parenting and parental relationship concerns

Minors:

• Minor-related concerns (all minors)

Women's Wellbeing:

• PMS, hormonal fluctuations and related concerns

Trauma:

• Trauma or traumatic events (past or historic)
• Violence or abuse by another person (current or recent)
• Sexual trauma, incidents or violence (recent)

Qualifications & Memberships

• Master of Arts, Specialising in Clinical Psychology, University of Cape Town (South Africa) - Cum Laude
• Bachelor of Social Science, Honours, Specialising in Psychology, University of Cape Town (South Africa) 
• Bachelor of Social Science, University of Cape Town (South Africa)
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

• Registered with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), UAE