Karen Apker – Clinical Psychologist – Sunninghill Gardens

Karen Apker - Clinical Psychologist - Sunninghill Gardens

Karen Apker is a Clinical Psychologist affiliated with the Babies in Mind network, serving families in Sunninghill Gardens, Gauteng. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and maintains registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Consequently, her work combines rigorous academic training with a focus on infant mental health and early parent–infant attachment. Moreover, she brings over a decade of experience in supporting caregivers through the emotional challenges of new parenthood. Therefore, each family benefits from her deep understanding of developmental psychology and trauma-informed care. Ultimately, her goal is to foster secure relationships that underlie children’s long-term well-being.

Within Babies in Mind, Karen delivers evidence-based interventions tailored to both parents and infants. Furthermore, she integrates attachment theory with practical techniques to enhance emotional attunement. In addition, she leads parent–infant psychotherapy sessions that strengthen bonding and improve parental confidence. As a result, families leave each meeting equipped with concrete strategies to support healthy development at home. Thus, Karen’s exclusive focus on the Babies in Mind framework ensures consistent, high-quality care across all services.

Services

• Adult Individual Psychotherapy
  She provides one-on-one sessions for parents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or postnatal mood disturbances. These sessions employ cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based techniques to build resilience.

• Parent–Infant Psychotherapy
  She facilitates dyadic exercises that promote secure attachment. By observing and guiding caregiver–infant interactions, she helps families develop responsive communication patterns.

• Play-Based Attachment Assessment
  She uses developmental play materials to assess infant cues, emotional regulation, and early social engagement. Consequently, she tailors interventions to each child’s unique profile.

• Group Workshops
  She leads interactive seminars on infant behavior, attachment strategies, and postnatal self-care. Moreover, these workshops foster peer support among new parents.

• Telehealth Counselling
  She delivers secure online sessions, ensuring continuity of care when in-person visits prove difficult. Thus, families maintain therapeutic momentum regardless of location.

• Professional Supervision
  She mentors junior practitioners within Babies in Mind, sharing best practices in perinatal mental health and assessment interpretation to uphold service quality.

• Resource Provision
  She curates handouts on infant developmental milestones, emotion-regulation exercises, and local support referrals, so families can reinforce learning at home.

• Attachment-Focused Follow-Up
  She schedules periodic progress evaluations using standardized attachment inventories, adjusting care plans based on measurable outcomes.

Additional Information

The Babies in Mind centre in Sunninghill Gardens offers a purpose-built consultation suite with sound-proof walls, adjustable seating, and soft lighting, creating a calm, confidential setting. Additionally, a dedicated parent–infant observation room features one-way mirrors and video-feedback systems, which enhance real-time coaching and skill development.

Moreover, the facility’s resource library contains developmental charts, attachment diagrams, and self-help guides that families borrow between sessions. Consequently, clients reinforce therapeutic strategies at home. In addition, weekly peer support circles are held in the on-site parents’ lounge, where Karen facilitates shared learning and mutual encouragement.

Karen commits to continuing professional development, attending leading conferences on early intervention, infant neurodevelopment, and trauma-informed care. Therefore, her methods reflect the latest advances in psychology. By focusing exclusively on her work within the Babies in Mind network, she ensures that every service aligns with the initiative’s mission to nurture healthy parent–infant relationships. Schedule a consultation today with Karen Apker at Babies in Mind Sunninghill Gardens to begin your family’s journey toward lasting emotional well-being.