Mon 12h00-19h00 | Tues 07h00-18h00 | Wed 09h00-18h00 | Thurs - Closed| Fri 09h00-16h00
Hi there, I'm Perishka. I'm a registered counselling psychologist in Gqeberha (formally Port Elizabeth). I'm glad you're here. I honour the courage it takes to begin this process and I gently rebel against the idea that we have to do it alone. Working with a psychologist isn't about being 'broken' or needing to be 'fixed'. I believe it's about being human- with all the mess, meaning and magic that comes with it. I approach my work with genuine curiosity, connection and respect. I am guided by and grounded in evidence-informed theory and ethics. I support clients through a range of emotional, relational and developmental challenges, always with the understanding that wellbeing is essential but not always accessible. Meaningful care must adapt to the realities of each person's life. I love to work with the whole self: thoughts that race, bodies that hold stories, emotions that speak in whispers or roars. My goal is to create a space for you to come home to yourself. To reconnect. To feel seen. There are many ways people move through the world. Therapy isn't about fitting in, it's about finding what fits you. So, here we don't need to mask, we don't need to explain away our intensity, our sensitivity, our spirals or our stillness.
You are welome to arrive exactly as you are.
As a registered psychologist, I engage in continuous professional development not only as a ethical requirement, but as a vital part of my growth. Ongoing learning allows me to deepen my understanding, refine my skills and remain responsive to the evolving needs of the people I work with. This practice is not static, it grows with each client, conversation and each moment of insight. I remain dedicated to learning that is inclusive, adaptive and grounded in the lived realities of those I work with.
My Qualifications
MA Counselling Psychology (with disctinction) - University of Pretoria
MA Psychology (with distinction) - Rhodes University
BA Honours Psychology - Rhodes University
BA Psychology - Nelson Mandela University
My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I draw from multiple theories and modalities to meet each person where they are. I believe that healing is not one-size-fits-all. Healing is relational, contextual and shaped by unique strengths, needs and lived experiences.
Here are some of the guiding philosophies that inform my practice:
Attachment Theory: Because our earliest relationships shape how we connect and protect ourselves
Systems Theory: Because we are influenced by the families, cultures and communities we are a part of
Narrative Therapy: Because the stories we tell about ourselves can be rewritten with compassion and agency
Polyvagal Theory: Because our nervous system needs safety to heal
Person Centre Values: Grounds my work in empathy, authenticity and unconditional positive regard
Trauma Informed Care: Because every aspect of the therapeutic space should embody emotional safety, choice and empowerment
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice: Because diverse ways of thinking, feeling and being should be recognised and celebrated
In this space, ethics is a living practice. It means showing up with integrity, transparency and care in every interaction. From how your information is protected to how your voice is honoured, ethical practice is relational, responsive and rooted in respect for your best interests. I follow the guidelines of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africe (HPCSA)- Registration number: PS0146056.
I am registered with the Board of Health Funders (BHF)- Practice number: 0907413.
What this means for you:
Informed Consent: You'll receive clear information about the therapeutic process, fees, limits of confidentiality and your rights before we begin
Confidentiality & Privacy: Your personal information is protected through secure systems and practices aligned with POPIA and PAIA
Boundaries & Safety: Sessions are held within clear, respectful boundaries to support emotional safety and trust
Client Autonomy: You are encouraged to ask questions, express preferences and make choices about your care
Transparent Recording Keeping: Notes and assessments are stored securely and used only for therapeutic purposes, with access governed by ethical and legal standards
Right to pause/end therapy: You can pause, end or change your therapeutic journey at anytime, with support in doing so