NICOLA DE KOCK psychotherapy Sea Point

Nicola De Kock | Clinical Psychologist – Sea Point

About Me

My name is Nicola, and I am a clinical psychologist working in private practice in Sea Point. I offer psychotherapy services to adults, adolescents, and couples, providing a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cape Town, which has provided me with the academic foundation for my work.

Earlier in my career, I gained valuable experience working with children who were facing emotional and learning difficulties within mainstream school environments. In more recent years, my focus has shifted to working with adults and older adolescents in public health settings, addressing a broad range of issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, relationship difficulties, and life adjustment challenges.

In addition to my private practice, I work in the Department of Psychiatry at UCT, where I am involved in HIV and Mental Health research. This allows me to stay engaged with current developments in the field of mental health, which I incorporate into my practice.

Services Offered

I offer a variety of psychotherapy services to meet the needs of my diverse clientele. My approach is integrative, combining psychodynamic therapy with elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) where appropriate. The aim is to provide therapy that is flexible, effective, and tailored to each individual’s needs.

Individual Therapy for Adolescents and Adults

Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship difficulties, individual therapy offers a space for you to explore your emotions and challenges in a confidential, non-judgemental setting. I work collaboratively with my clients to increase self-awareness and understanding, helping them better navigate their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. This type of therapy can be particularly helpful for those struggling with emotional regulation, low self-esteem, or a difficult life transition.

Couples Therapy

Relationship difficulties are a common reason for seeking therapy, and couples therapy offers a platform for partners to work through challenges in their relationship. Whether you are dealing with communication problems, unresolved conflicts, or trust issues, couples therapy can help you better understand each other’s perspectives and work towards healthier patterns of interaction. Through a psychodynamic approach, I aim to help couples explore how past experiences may influence their current relationship dynamics and offer tools to strengthen their connection.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is designed to address issues affecting family systems, whether it be through conflict, communication breakdown, or adjustments to life changes. This type of therapy can help family members improve their relationships, resolve long-standing issues, and support one another in a healthier way. As with individual therapy, I draw on an integrative approach to meet the needs of each family.

Additional Information

• Therapeutic Approach: I follow an integrative psychodynamic approach to therapy, which encourages self-awareness and understanding of how past experiences influence current thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. I am also trained in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), including dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), which allows me to offer practical strategies for emotional regulation and coping.

• Location: My practice is located in Sea Point, providing a comfortable and accessible space for therapy.

• Booking an Appointment: If you would like to book an appointment or have further questions about the therapy process, please feel free to contact me. I aim to make the process as straightforward and transparent as possible, and I am here to support you in your journey toward emotional well-being.

• Confidential and Collaborative: I offer a therapeutic space that is confidential, non-judgemental, and collaborative. At times, I may gently challenge clients to explore new perspectives or confront difficult emotions in order to promote healing and growth.

Therapy can help you untangle the complex feelings and issues that you may be dealing with, whether they are related to your personal life, relationships, or mental health. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your path to greater emotional well-being.