Trauma Counselling

After something overwhelming — an accident, an assault, a frightening experience, or a sudden loss — the mind and body can stay stuck on high alert long after the event is over. Stephanie de Raay is a counselling psychologist (HPCSA – PS 0154580) who works with teenagers and adults across South Africa by scheduled video call, from wherever feels safe for you.

Healing from trauma is possible, and it does not mean reliving the worst moment on demand. The pace is always yours.

What trauma can look like

Trauma often shows up as intrusive memories or flashbacks, being easily startled, trouble sleeping, avoiding reminders, feeling numb or detached, irritability, and difficulty trusting. The body remembers even when you would rather not.

Trauma in teenagers

For teens, trauma might follow bullying, an accident, an assault, witnessing violence, or a medical scare. It often looks like anger, withdrawal, risk-taking, or a sudden drop at school rather than obvious distress. There is more on counselling for teenagers in South Africa.

Trauma in adults

In adults, trauma can be recent or something long-ago that has surfaced years later — a hijacking, an accident, abuse, or a loss. You do not need to have “kept it together” until now. There is more on counselling for adults in South Africa.

How Stephanie works with trauma

The work is paced and safety-first. Stephanie draws on BWRT® for easing automatic stress responses, DBT-informed grounding skills, and person-centred therapy — and will never push you to relive events before you are ready. Where the work falls outside her scope, she refers you on. More about Stephanie and her approach.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?
No. You set the pace, and healing does not require reliving the event blow-by-blow. Grounding and safety come first.

Is this the same as PTSD?
Trauma exists on a spectrum. Stephanie uses everyday, non-clinical language and will assess and refer on if a formal diagnosis or higher level of care is needed.

My teen went through something frightening — how do I help?
A calm, private space to talk (or not talk) helps. The intake call is a good place to work out the right next step for them.

Can trauma from long ago still be worked on?
Yes. Old trauma often resurfaces when life changes. It can be worked with whenever you are ready.

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 trauma and anxiety often travel together.

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.