Psychologist 

Lara is a registered Psychologist from South Africa (S.A.), with over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families.

Lara’s academic journey began with earning a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from the University of Cape Town, S.A. in 1993 and an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Stellenbosch, S.A., where she graduated Cum Laude in 1995. Lara completed her Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch in 1998.

As an intern psychologist at the Unit for Counselling Psychology, S.A., Lara gained practical experience in adult and child assessment and therapy, parent guidance, as well as liaising with other healthcare professionals. Lara, furthermore, gained valuable experience in community work which included the development and implementation of community intervention programs, mostly based on the youth (for example, school readiness programs and self-esteem development) as well as providing psychotherapy to inmates at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.

After gaining valuable international experience while living and working in the United Kingdom, Lara returned to South Africa in 1999, where she joined the Blaauwberg Therapy Centre initially as an Associate Psychologist and then went on to open her own private practice in 2003. Since then, Lara has had a special interest in providing psychotherapeutic support to children (from 3 years old) and adolescents experiencing any emotional, behavioural, or scholastic difficulties. Parent guidance and family support are also keen areas of focus. Some areas of experience include working with children experiencing Depression, Anxiety, any trauma, divorce or separation of parents, social difficulties, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as any behavioural difficulties experienced at home or school.

Adult psychotherapy related to mood disorders, anxiety, trauma as well as self-growth and development, are further areas of interest.

In 2013, Lara was approached by Crescent Clinic (a private psychiatric clinic in Cape Town, S.A.) to head and develop a child and adolescent focused centre. This included providing psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and families, as well as for inpatients in the clinic and liaising as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Trained primarily as a Rogerian and Cognitive Behavioural therapist, Lara has expanded her practice to include a variety of different therapeutic modalities including solution-focused therapy, non-directive play therapy, art therapy, sand tray therapy and narrative therapy. Lara has also attended training on numerous other therapeutic techniques, for example, using psychotherapeutic board games or puppet play therapy.

Lara feels strongly that a detailed and thorough assessment and the development of an authentic and safe therapeutic relationship is the foundation for the success of any psychological intervention. Furthermore, she focuses on choosing the correct therapeutic modality based on the unique individual needs and personality of the client. As children and adolescents, specifically, are part of many systems (at home and school), Lara is also passionate about working as part of a team and liaising with parents, teachers (if required) and other healthcare professionals for the benefit of providing the client with the most productive and successful psychological treatment possible.

Finally, apart from being dedicated to her work with children and families,

Lara is married and has a son and a daughter.