Jenny Perkel – Clinical Psychologist

Jenny Perkel - Clinical Psychologist

Jenny Perkel is a seasoned Clinical Psychologist based in Cape Town, South Africa, with over 25 years of experience in psychotherapy. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cape Town and holds registration with both the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom. Early in her career, she completed extensive training in infant, child, and adolescent mental health, which now forms the core of her specialized practice.

Throughout her career, Jenny has worked across private practice, hospitals, and community settings, gaining deep insight into diverse clinical presentations. Consequently, she developed an integrative approach that blends psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Moreover, she authored Babies in Mind and Children in Mind, drawing on evidence-based research in psychology, neurobiology, and genetics. Her professional contributions include serving on the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Practice and chairing the Cape Town Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Group.

By combining rigorous research with compassionate care, Jenny empowers clients to navigate challenges at every life stage. Furthermore, she provides both online and in-person consultations, ensuring accessible support for families throughout the Helderberg region. Her therapeutic philosophy emphasizes that every individual—regardless of age or background—possesses innate resilience and the capacity for meaningful change. Therefore, she creates a safe, collaborative environment that fosters growth, healing, and lasting well-being.

Services

• Parent Guidance and Therapy
  She supports caregivers facing developmental concerns, behavioral issues, and attachment difficulties, offering practical strategies to nurture healthy parent–child relationships.

• Perinatal Counseling
  She assists new and expectant parents with pregnancy-related anxiety, postnatal adjustment, and maternal mental health, promoting balanced coping during major life transitions.

• Psychotherapy for Adolescents and Adults (15+)
  She treats anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and emotional dysregulation with tailored interventions that build insight and resilience.

• Play Therapy
  She utilizes play as an expressive medium to help young children process emotions, develop social skills, and resolve behavioral challenges within a structured framework.

• Developmental and Neuropsychological Assessments
  She conducts standardized cognitive, learning, and behavioral evaluations to inform personalized treatment plans and track progress over time.

• Workshops and Group Programs
  She leads interactive workshops on mindfulness, stress management, and emotional intelligence for families, schools, and corporate groups seeking practical mental health tools.

Additional Information

Jenny’s practice features modern therapeutic tools and technologies, including secure teletherapy platforms, digital assessment software, and biofeedback devices that help clients gain real-time insight into stress responses. The clinic offers welcoming consultation rooms with soundproofing, soft natural light, and ergonomic seating to ensure comfort and confidentiality.

Her approach remains highly personalized. First, she collaborates with each client or family to set clear, achievable goals. Then, she monitors progress through regular review sessions and adjusts techniques as needed. Meanwhile, she integrates guided imagery, mindfulness exercises, and narrative reframing between appointments to reinforce insights.

To accommodate busy lifestyles, Jenny offers flexible scheduling, including early-morning, evening, and weekend slots. Moreover, she hosts intensive weekend retreats for accelerated group learning and peer support. These retreats combine experiential exercises with reflective discussions, enabling rapid skill acquisition in a supportive community environment.

Finally, Jenny remains committed to her own professional growth by attending annual conferences on child and adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, and multicultural practice. As a result, her clients benefit from the latest research and best practices delivered with warmth and expertise. Schedule a consultation today to explore your inner strengths, strengthen your relationships, and embark on a journey toward lasting well-being.