vA Happy Place Child Teenager and Adult Counselling & Autism Support Pretoria

A Happy Place – Child, Teenager, and Adult Counselling & Autism Support Pretoria

About A Happy Place and Elsie Linström

A Happy Place is a counselling practice that focuses on providing specialised support to children, teenagers, and adults. Founded by Elsie Linström, an autistic counsellor with extensive experience in the field, the centre offers a range of services to support individuals facing various life challenges. Elsie’s approach to therapy is both practical and compassionate, focusing on each client’s strengths and interests to ensure they feel understood and empowered.

Elsie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology. She has completed extensive training in areas such as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), socio-emotional screenings, trauma incident reduction (TIR), and supporting individuals with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. She is also currently developing her skills as a registered social worker.

A Happy Place aims to offer a safe, non-judgmental environment where individuals from all walks of life can explore their feelings, learn practical coping skills, and grow emotionally. Through her work, Elsie helps individuals better understand themselves, find strength in their challenges, and develop the tools needed to overcome obstacles.

Services Offered at A Happy Place

Child Counselling

A Happy Place provides child counselling services for children aged 5 and above. The practice offers a supportive environment for children to express their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. With a focus on creative expression, including play-based counselling, children can safely process their emotions through activities such as toys, games, and art. This approach helps children manage anxiety, stress, and trauma, build self-esteem, and improve social skills.

Services Include:

• Trauma management

• Anxiety and stress management

• Building emotional resilience

• Social skills development

• Neurodiversity support

• Problem-solving

• Anger management

• Self-esteem support

Fee: R550 per 50-minute session.

Teenager Counselling

Teenagers often face unique challenges that can impact their mental and emotional well-being. A Happy Place provides counselling that addresses issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, peer pressure, and academic stress. Teenagers can explore their feelings in a confidential, supportive space and learn strategies to improve their emotional resilience and communication skills.

Services Include:

• Neurodiversity support

• Anxiety and mood management

• Academic stress support

• Peer pressure and bullying

• Self-esteem support

• Gender and sexuality identity support

Fee: R550 per 50-minute session.

Adult Counselling

For adults, A Happy Place offers virtual counselling services to address a variety of life challenges, including anxiety, chronic disease management, relationship issues, career transitions, and more. The aim is to provide adults with the tools to build confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being.

Services Include:

• Neurodiversity support

• Career coaching

• Stress and anxiety management

• Interpersonal relationships

• Trauma support

• LGBTQ+ support

Fee: R550 per 50-minute session.

Support for Non-Speaking and Disabled Children & Teenagers

Elsie, in collaboration with Heleen, provides tailored support for individuals with special needs, including non-speaking or developmentally delayed children. They offer Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support and work to help these individuals express emotions, manage anxiety, and improve their social skills.

Services Include:

• AAC support

• Emotion regulation and expression

• Fine motor skills development

• Sensory needs identification

Fee: R550 per 50-minute session.

Premarital Counselling for Neurodiverse Couples

A Happy Place also offers premarital counselling for neurodiverse and neurodivergent couples. This service helps partners navigate potential challenges in their relationship, such as communication issues, financial stress, and managing expectations around gender roles and intimacy.

Topics Covered Include:

• Communication

• Conflict resolution

• Intimacy and romance

• Financial management

• Family dynamics and roles

Fee: R550 per 50-minute session.

Socio-Emotional Assessments

A socio-emotional screening helps assess a child’s emotional health and their relationships with peers, family, and other significant figures. The assessment can identify potential challenges and provide a roadmap for intervention and support.

Services Include:

• Emotional and relational assessment

• Trauma exposure screening

• Child temperament and behavioural analysis

Fee: R550 per session.

Additional Information

Practice Location and Accessibility

A Happy Place is conveniently located in Pretoria, and offers a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. The centre ensures a welcoming environment for all clients, where they can feel supported throughout their therapeutic journey.

Contact Details:

• Address: Pretoria, South Africa

• Booking: Available through the WhatsApp line or email.

Session Details

• Duration: Each session lasts 50 minutes.

• Fees: R550 per session for all counselling services.

• Online & In-Person Options: Sessions are available either virtually or face-to-face depending on the service and client preference.

Commitment to Inclusivity

A Happy Place is committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming therapy that respects and supports the unique needs of each individual. Whether you are a child, teenager, or adult, you will find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your emotions and challenges. The practice also ensures LGBTQ+ inclusivity and offers support for individuals across the spectrum of neurodiversity.

Conclusion

At A Happy Place, Elsie Linström and her team are dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive environment for individuals and families to thrive. Whether you are seeking help with personal challenges, coping with trauma, or managing the complexities of neurodiversity, A Happy Place offers professional guidance tailored to your unique needs. With a wide range of services, including child, teen, adult, and neurodiversity-affirming counselling, A Happy Place helps clients build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.