What happened then still lives in you now.
Counselling for adults carrying the effects of a childhood that wasn’t safe — whether or not you have the words for it yet.
Written by Elza Berk, Founder & registered counsellor · ASCHP WCW/271 · 20+ years’ clinical experience · Updated 28 September 2026
Childhood trauma isn’t only about one terrible event. It can be growing up with a parent who drank, a home where you walked on eggshells, emotional neglect, being the child who looked after everyone else, or abuse that no one noticed or believed.
Children adapt to survive. They learn to stay quiet, to please, to keep watch, to not need anything. Those adaptations were intelligent at the time — but in adulthood they can show up as anxiety, people-pleasing, trouble trusting, intense reactions that feel out of proportion, or a sense that something in you is broken.
Nothing in you is broken. What you learned can be understood, and what you missed can still be given. In counselling we go at your pace — you never have to retell every detail to begin healing.
You might recognise
- Feeling responsible for everyone’s feelings
- Difficulty saying no or asking for help
- Strong reactions to criticism or conflict
- Feeling “too much” or “not enough”
- Being drawn to relationships that repeat old patterns
- Numbness, or not remembering large parts of childhood
You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out.
Safety first. Your pace, always.
Inner child work
Reconnecting with the younger part of you that learned to survive — and offering it what it needed then.
Understanding patterns
Seeing how old survival strategies shape your relationships, work and self-talk today.
Safety first
Building grounding and self-soothing skills before going anywhere painful.
Choose who feels right.
Janika Cumpsty
Head of Supervision
“You don’t have to do your inner work alone. I help clients identify their inherent strength and take action toward the change they truly want to see.”
- Childhood trauma
- PTSD / CPTSD
- Sexual trauma
English · Afrikaans · Dutch (reading)
Omashree Balie
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
“Seeking counselling is personal, difficult, and sometimes lonely — but the results are life-changing. I aim to make that journey as comfortable as possible.”
- Couples & marriage
- Divorce
- LGBTQIA+ affirming
English · Afrikaans
Mimi Shirindza
Registered Counsellor
“Every person carries the capacity for growth and renewal. My role is to walk alongside you as you rediscover and strengthen those inherent gifts.”
- Trauma
- Grief & loss
- Couples
English · Xitsonga · isiZulu
Hèlet Boustred
Registered Psychological Counsellor
“I have a strong passion for trauma work using Somatic Experiencing — a gentle, body-oriented approach that helps release stress and restore balance from within.”
- Trauma (Somatic Experiencing)
- Anxiety & depression
- Grief & loss
Afrikaans · English
Megan Andrew
Registered Counsellor
“I offer a safe space where clients feel heard and supported to better understand themselves, navigate life’s challenges, and move towards meaningful change.”
- ADHD & autism
- Perinatal support
- Trauma
English
Chris Theron
Registered Counsellor
“Life teaches us to keep it together even when we’re falling apart. I believe healing starts when someone walks beside you — not ahead of you.”
- Trauma
- Anxiety & stress
- Life transitions
English · Afrikaans
Risimati Chauke
Social Worker
“I create a safe, non-judgemental space where clients can process their experiences and find practical pathways toward healing and resilience.”
- Addiction (harm reduction)
- Trauma
- Crisis intervention
English · Xitsonga · Tshivenda · isiZulu · Sepedi
Talita Kondlo
Registered Wellness Counsellor
“I take a compassionate, client-centred approach — creating a safe space to explore emotions, heal from the past, and build healthier ways of coping going forward.”
- Trauma
- Couples
- Anger management
English · isiXhosa · isiZulu
Jamie-Leigh Brickles
Registered Specialist Wellness Counsellor
“Counselling is collaborative, and at its core it’s about your heart. I believe we all have the answers deeply rooted within us; sometimes we just need the courage to reach for them.”
- Anxiety
- Grief & loss
- Trauma
English
Elza Berk
Founder & CEO · Registered Counsellor
“I built MyTruth because I needed it then and it didn’t exist. Every counsellor here has been chosen for their capacity to sit with what is real.”
- Addiction (harm reduction)
- Trauma
- Eating disorders
English · Afrikaans
Common questions
Do I have to remember everything to get help?
No. Many people have gaps in memory. We work with what you do know and how it affects you now — there is no need to recover or relive every detail.
Is it too late to heal from childhood trauma as an adult?
No. The brain and nervous system keep changing throughout life. Many of our clients begin this work in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.
What is inner child work?
An approach that helps you connect with the feelings and needs you had as a child, understand how they still show up, and respond to them with the care you didn’t receive at the time.
Other types of trauma
Your truth deserves to be heard.
Choose a counsellor who speaks your language and understands your world. Sessions are online, private and booked in minutes.