Lize Ligthelm

Welcome to my therapy practice. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions about therapy or my approach. Making the decision to enter therapy is a brave step which has the potential to help you thrive.

My specific areas of interest and focus are:

• anxiety
• depression
• self-esteem difficulties
• disordered eating
• addiction
• relationship difficulties
• adjustment after a life challenge
• feelings of isolation and difficulties with connection with others
• feelings of unsafety in the world and with others
• personality disorders
• trauma
• dissociation

Counselling/Therapy Services

Our backgrounds – this may be anything from trauma, emotional deprivation, absence of positive attachment figures – and life experiences such as disappointments, loss, illness, situational stress – affect the way we perceive ourselves, our relationships and cope with our day to day lives. Through these experiences, we may become disconnected with our true sense of self or have difficulties trusting or connecting with others as well as develop symptoms including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction and relationship problems. At times, these symptoms may become stuck or become life patterns.

In my work with clients, I offer a compassionate and non-judgemental space to come to an enhanced understanding of these experiences, symptoms, relationship with the self and others as well as the barriers that might be standing in the way of making changes. My therapeutic style is to work gently, but efficaciously, towards facilitating a process that cultivates improved connections with the self and others, that helps you to strengthen your inner security and to find healthier ways of coping when life throws its challenges. Ultimately I hope to help you connect with your real self and to reach a place of freedom in yourself and in your life.

Counselling/Therapy Approach

My overall therapy approach is psychodynamic/psychoanalytic in nature, with specific reference to attachment theory, self psychology and object relations (the internalised models or beliefs from our attachment figures). I feel passionate about the Masterson Approach which focused on helping clients connect to their real selves. It is when we are connected to our real selves that creativity gets unlocked, intimacy and connection are possible and we ultimately start to thrive.

Please refer to my website for more information on my specific approach or feel free to get in touch to have a conversation about it.

Background and Experience

I obtained my masters degree in Clinical Psychology in South Africa where I worked as psychologist both in public and private settings. In the public setting I have experience of working with a variety of populations which included adults, adolescents and forensic populations and a variety of mental health difficulties. In private, I worked in the field of addiction, disordered eating and dual diagnoses at an inpatient holistic recovery centre. Since moving to New Zealand, I have continued my work with the forensic population in my work for the Department of Corrections.

Supervision Services

As a supervisor, I offer a safe, reflective space where clinicians can observe and curiously explore their practice and professional process as well as how that interfaces with their own real self. My specific areas of interest are transference and counter-transference and the therapeutic relationship. I also offer consultation on complex cases or those hoping to engage in a group supervision process.