Mariska Pienaar Counselling Psychologist Bellville

Mariska Pienaar Counselling Psychologist in Bellville, Cape Town

About

Mariska Pienaar is a highly qualified and experienced Counselling Psychologist based in Bellville, within the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. Her practice is conveniently situated in a well-established medical hub, adjacent to Louis Leipoldt Mediclinic, surrounded by various allied health professionals.

Mariska’s academic journey includes a BA in Psychology & Philosophy and an Honour’s degree in Psychology from the University of Stellenbosch. She went on to complete her master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and later earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of the Western Cape in 2022. With 19 years of experience, she has been registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Counselling Psychologist.

In addition to her clinical work, Mariska has contributed to mainstream media through op-eds, expert opinions, and radio interviews. Her academic contributions include peer-reviewed journal articles, international conference presentations, and a book chapter in a widely used undergraduate psychology textbook.

Services

Mariska’s practice focuses on providing individual psychotherapy to clients aged 13 and above. She offers both in-person and online sessions, creating a flexible and accessible environment for her clients. Her approach is centred on creating a warm, non-judgmental, and empathic space where clients can feel safe to explore their inner worlds.

The practice addresses a wide range of mental health challenges and personal growth goals, including:

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Social anxiety and loneliness
• Stress management
• Emotion regulation and distress tolerance
• Tertiary student support
• Confidence and self-esteem
• Goal achievement
• Personal growth & self-awareness
• Career guidance
• Finding and creating meaning

Mariska utilises evidence-based therapeutic modalities tailored to the unique needs of each client. These include:

• Brief Dynamic Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Humanistic Psychotherapy (Person-Centred Therapy)
• Existential Psychotherapy (Logotherapy)

Additional Information

Mariska finds deep motivation in forming meaningful connections through therapy. She values the power of authentic encounters between individuals and commits to providing a space where clients can fully express themselves and feel understood.