Counselling for Divorce & Family Separation

Divorce and separation reshape a whole family, not just a couple. The legal process has its own experts — but the emotional side often goes unsupported, for the adults going through it and for the teens caught in the middle. Stephanie de Raay is a counselling psychologist (HPCSA – PS 0154580) who works with teenagers and adults across South Africa by scheduled video call.

This is individual support — a space to steady yourself, or to help your teenager through it — not couples therapy or mediation.

What separation can bring up

For adults it can mean grief, anger, guilt, anxiety about the future, and the strain of co-parenting. For teens it often looks like divided loyalty, self-blame, acting out, or withdrawing. Both are normal, and both respond to support.

Teens and divorce

Teens caught between separating parents — changing homes every other weekend, adjusting to blended families, or quietly feeling responsible — carry a lot. Therapy gives them a neutral third space that belongs to no one else in the family. There is more on counselling for teenagers in South Africa.

Adults going through divorce

For adults, this is the part the lawyers do not cover: the loss of identity, the co-parenting stress, the fear of starting over, and finding your feet again. Support here is for you as an individual. There is more on counselling for adults in South Africa.

How Stephanie works with divorce & separation

The work is supportive and non-judgemental — no “sides”, and no telling you what to decide. It blends practical coping with space to process the emotional side, for you or your teen. More about Stephanie and her approach.

Frequently asked questions

Can you help my child cope with our divorce?
Yes — supporting teenagers through separation is one of the most common reasons families reach out. A private space helps them process what they cannot say at home.

Is this couples therapy or mediation?
No. This is individual counselling — for you, or for your teenager. Stephanie can refer you on if couples therapy or mediation is what you need.

When should a teen see someone during a divorce?
If they are withdrawing, angry, struggling at school, or caught in the middle, earlier is better than waiting for it to “settle”.

We are not divorced yet — is it too early?
No. Support during the uncertainty, or while deciding, is often when it helps most.

How sessions and fees work

Sessions are 55-minute secure video calls, and everything starts with a free 15-minute intake call. Full detail on how sessions run, fees and medical-aid reimbursement lives on the therapy FAQs page.

Support wherever you are

Because everything is by scheduled video call, you can work with Stephanie from anywhere in South Africa — see the areas we serve. Many people also find counselling for anxiety helpful, as the strain of separation often brings anxiety and low mood.

A note on safety

If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, talking about suicide, self-harm, or in crisis, please seek urgent in-person emergency help immediately (local emergency services or your nearest hospital). Therapy is not a replacement for emergency care.

Book a free intake call

The easiest place to start is a free 15-minute intake call to see whether this is the right fit. You can reach Stephanie directly:

📞 079 565 1779
📧 info@stephaniepsych.com
Book a session

You can also explore counselling for teenagers and counselling for adults in South Africa.