Welcome

Athi Nkomo

Practice number 1272624
HPCSA PS 0164674

Athi Nkomo is a Counselling Psychologist with experience working in private practice, NGO’s, clinical and corporate settings. Licensed and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Athi intervenes in a variety of mental health disorders and in the promotion of mental well-being. She runs a private practice in Bryanston, Johannesburg and also offers online consultations and sessions.

“We may not be responsible for the world that created our minds, but we can take responsibility for the mind with which we create our world.” – Gabor Maté.

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About Me

I started my career in the human resources industry, working in recruitment, training and development, and organisational development. I am recognised by the South African Board of People Practices (SABPP) as a Chartered Human Resources Professional (CHRP).  Driven by personal and professional curiosity into the complexities of the human mind and optimal functioning, I made a midlife career change into psychology. 

I completed my professional psychology training at Nelson Mandela University, obtaining a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. I completed my internship at Ububele Educational and Psychotherapy Trust, a non-profit organisation with a psychoanalytic focus on attachment and child development, serving clinics and hospitals in the community of Alexandra township, Johannesburg.

I am deeply passionate about holistic well-being and personal development. I believe all individuals possess great resilience to overcome adversity and the ability to self-actualise. Often, our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour are patterns that have formed largely from our past experiences, and often, experiences from our early environment. It is my privilege to help my clients uncover some of these conscious and unconscious patterns and support them through crises and life stressors to promote healing, growth, and well-being.

I employ a predominantly psychodynamic approach to therapy, but may tailor treatment to include other modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to suit each client’s unique presentation and needs. I have a keen interest in community psychology, particularly in working with families to promote secure attachment and overcoming past and current trauma.

I am passionate about mental health advocacy and contributing to the de-stigmatisation of mental illness. I advocate in various ways to reach the public, including as a podcast co-host with a mental health focus, speaking engagements and workshops, and community development projects in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg. I endeavour to contribute to mental health knowledge and practice that is relevant and sensitive to the South African context. Accordingly, my research interests focus on culture and African Indigenous practices, aiming to bridge the knowledge gap that exists between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western knowledge.

I am fluent in English, isiXhosa, and isiZulu, and can conduct interventions in any of these languages.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” – Carl Jung.

Key Areas of Practice

Mood & Anxiety Disorders

Infant & Perinatal Mental Health

Personality Disorders

Parenting Work

African Psychology

Addictions

Trauma

Relational Difficulties

Employee Wellness

(EAPs)

Community Psychoanalysis

My Services

Adult Psychotherapy

I support individuals 20 years and older in gaining insight into their unconscious processes, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, leading to healthier coping and improved mental well-being.

Parent-Infant Psychotherapy

The first 1000 days, from conception to 2 years old, is a critical period of a child’s development during which early experiences have a significant impact on their physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. I support caregivers and infants during this critical period, which includes post-partum depression and neonatal challenges.

Under 5’s Psychotherapy

I work with children aged five and under, together with their parents or primary caregiver, to address emotional and behavioural issues through guided interactions, support, and psychoeducation to promote healthy development and secure attachment and bonding.

Couples Therapy

I offer couples therapy that emphasises tools and strategies to effectively resolve conflicts, improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, and deepen insight and understanding.

Family Therapy

I facilitate a therapeutic and non-judgmental space for parents & children, siblings, friends, or any group that identifies as family to address relational dynamics, heal intergenerational and transgenerational trauma, resolve conflicts, improve communication, and deepen bonds.

Parenting Work

Parenting can be daunting and overwhelming. I provide guidance, resources and key techniques to help parents navigate challenges in raising children, improve parenting skills, and enhance family dynamics.

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Fees

Services are charged at R1 300 per 50–60 minute session.

Couple sessions are charged at R1 600 per session.

Payments are accepted through medical aid, electronic funds transfer (EFT) or card payment. Please note that all accounts are to be settled directly after sessions.

Should you wish for us to claim directly from your medical aid, it is recommended that you enquire regarding the availability of sufficient funds prior to initiating therapy. Any shortfalls will be charged as co-payments, which will be for the client’s own account. Clients remain responsible for accounts if not covered by medical aid; as such, if medical aid claims are rejected, the account is to be settled within 10 days of notice given.

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