Jessica Harris – Registered Counsellor Ruiterhof

Jessica Leigh Harris – Registered Counsellor

About Me

Understanding and addressing mental health challenges requires compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to supporting individuals on their journey to well-being. I am Jessica Leigh Harris, an HPCSA Registered Counsellor, with a special focus on addiction recovery and mental health enhancement. Over the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to both academic and professional growth, refining my skills to provide evidence-based support.

My counselling philosophy is built on trust, respect, empathy, and professionalism, ensuring that every client feels heard, understood, and empowered. As Steve Maraboli said, “Happiness is not the absence of problems. It’s the ability to deal with them.” This belief has guided my approach to therapy and my dedication to helping individuals develop the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges.

Services

Individual Counselling

I provide personalised counselling to help individuals overcome various mental health concerns, including:

• Addiction recovery – Support for substance abuse, behavioural addictions, and relapse prevention.

• Anxiety and stress management – Strategies to reduce worry and promote emotional balance.

• Depression and mood disorders – Techniques to enhance resilience and emotional well-being.

• Self-esteem and personal growth – Encouraging self-awareness, confidence, and self-acceptance.

Couples and Family Counselling

Relationships play a crucial role in emotional well-being. My counselling services help individuals and families to:

• Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills.

• Navigate challenges related to addiction, mental health, or stress.

• Develop healthy relationship dynamics.

Therapeutic Approaches

I integrate various evidence-based techniques to ensure each client receives tailored support:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Changing unhelpful thought patterns.

• Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) – Managing irrational beliefs and emotional reactions.

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy – Identifying strengths and setting achievable goals.

• Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Promoting present-moment awareness and stress reduction.

• Narrative Therapy – Helping clients reshape personal stories for empowerment.

• Family-Systems Therapy – Addressing interpersonal and relational dynamics.

Additional Training & Special Interests

I have completed multiple specialised courses to enhance my expertise, including:

• Equine Assisted Psychotherapy – Experiential therapy using horses for emotional and behavioural healing.

• Professional Addiction Counselling Diploma – Advanced knowledge of substance abuse and recovery strategies.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety – Specialised techniques for managing anxiety disorders.

• Couples Counselling – Foundational skills for relationship therapy.

• Working with Posttraumatic Stress – Addressing trauma within various contexts.

• First Aid Level 1 (Behavioural Emergencies for Mental Health Professionals) – Ensuring safety in crisis situations.

Credentials & Academic Background

• Bachelor of Social Science Honours (Cum Laude) – The South African College of Applied Psychology.

• Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences (Counselling & Psychology) (Cum Laude) – The South African College of Applied Psychology.

• Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills – The South African College of Applied Psychology.

Get in Touch

If you or a loved one are seeking professional, compassionate, and evidence-based counselling, I am here to help. Whether you need support in addiction recovery, personal growth, or mental well-being, my goal is to provide a safe and empowering space for transformation.