Barbara Kantor – Counselling Psychologist – Cape Town

Barbara Kantor - Counselling Psychologist - Cape Town

Barbara Kantor is a registered Counselling Psychologist who partners with the Babies in Mind initiative in Cape Town. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she brings a deep commitment to early childhood mental health. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Recreational Therapy in the United States and later completed her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Consequently, she blends rigorous academic training with practical skills to support infants and their caregivers.

Within Babies in Mind, Barbara applies an integrative therapeutic approach. First, she emphasizes early attachment relationships, drawing on psychodynamic therapy to explore the emotional bond between parent and child. Then, she incorporates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to help caregivers manage anxiety and stress. Additionally, she uses narrative therapy to guide families in reshaping challenging stories, and she integrates mindfulness exercises to foster calm and emotional regulation. Moreover, Barbara is pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Communication with Children, which further enriches her capacity to translate complex theory into accessible strategies for parents.

Services

• Parent–Infant Psychotherapy
  Barbara delivers short-term, focused sessions (six to twelve weeks) designed to strengthen secure attachment. She observes caregiver–infant interactions, models attuned responses, and coaches parents in reading and responding to their baby’s cues.

• Postnatal Emotional Support
  She offers tailored interventions for caregivers experiencing postnatal depression and parental stress. By including the infant in therapy, Barbara nurtures the parent–child bond and equips parents with practical emotion-regulation strategies.

• Feeding and Sleeping Guidance
  She assists families in establishing feeding routines and sleep hygiene, addressing common challenges such as excessive crying and sleep disruptions. Her evidence-based tips restore confidence and reduce parental overwhelm.

• Fertility and Adoption Counseling
  Barbara supports individuals and couples navigating fertility treatments or adoption processes. Therefore, she helps build emotional readiness and fosters early bonding practices that align with the Babies in Mind philosophy.

• General Parenting Coaching
  She provides psycho-educational guidance on developmental milestones, weaning, potty training, and toddler behaviour management. These sessions blend real-world advice with attachment-based principles, ensuring parents feel empowered and informed.

Additional Information

Barbara’s Babies in Mind practice unfolds in confidential, child-friendly spaces equipped with soft lighting, age-appropriate toys, and interactive observation tools. Parents review short video segments of their interactions, which enhances insight and accelerates therapeutic progress. Moreover, the initiative offers secure teletherapy, allowing families to access support without geographic constraints.

She regularly contributes to the Babies in Mind resource library by authoring brief guides on topics such as soothing techniques, early emotional milestones, and bond-building activities. Furthermore, Barbara co-leads interactive workshops—both online and in-person—that cover stress management, responsive caregiving, and play-based bonding. These group sessions foster peer support and hands-on learning.

To suit diverse schedules, Babies in Mind offers early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments. Consequently, caregivers can integrate expert consultation into their routines without undue disruption. Additionally, Barbara hosts intensive weekend retreats that combine experiential exercises with reflective group discussions, enabling rapid skill acquisition and community building among participants.

If you seek compassionate, evidence-based support in strengthening your parent–infant relationship and promoting your child’s emotional well-being, schedule a consultation today with Barbara Kantor through the Babies in Mind platform. Begin a collaborative journey toward secure attachment, resilient coping skills, and lasting family harmony.