Meet the Happy team

 Elsie is the owner, founder, and creative force behind A Happy Place Counselling Services.

Elsie is an autistic counsellor who focuses on assisting young adults, teenagers, and kids in overcoming obstacles in life. Her sessions are practical and tailored to your interests and strengths, ensuring that you feel supported, learn practical and useful skills, and learn more to understand yourself better in a judgment-free setting.

Elsie has completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Social Science Honours Degree in Psychology. She has also received extensive training to support individuals with a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA) profile, facilitate socio-emotional screenings, DASEL screenings, support authentic AAC, understand Gestalt Language and Cognitive Processing, and facilitate trauma incident reduction (TIR) sessions. She is currently developing her skills as a registered social worker student.

Her special interests in counselling include:

• Working with tweens and teenagers from the age of 11
• Supporting high-masking and late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults
• Facilitating workshops on topics such as understanding autism from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective, managing negative thoughts, anxiety support for neurodivergent individuals, accommodating yourself as an autistic or ADHD individual, creative counselling interventions, and more!

Specialist Wellness Counsellor, ASCHP: SWC21/878

Student Social Worker (Practicum), SACSSP: 4062975

Georgina holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and an Honours degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand. With experience in neurodivergent and remedial educational settings, she brings a nuanced understanding of the challenges children and parents may face. Georgina strives to create a warm, understanding environment where both children and their families feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to grow.

Her special interests in counselling include:

- Supporting autistic and ADHD children and teenagers

- Parent guidance on raising neurodivergent children

- Creating caring, growth-focused spaces for children and families

- Fostering resilience and emotional well-being in educational contexts

Her dedication ensures that every child and their family receive the individualised care they need to overcome obstacles, embrace their strengths, and move forward with confidence.

☺ You can claim back session fees provided by Georgina from your medical aid if your option covers Educational Psychology services. Please confirm this with your medical aid directly.

Suzaan is a Registered Counsellor who supports children, teenagers and adults with a gentle, practical approach. She’s known for working collaboratively and pacing sessions to each person’s goals and needs, blending evidence-informed tools with genuine compassion.

Suzaan completed a BA (Psychology & Education) at the University of Pretoria (2011), followed by a PGCE (Foundation Phase) at UNISA (2012) and SACE registration. She went on to earn two BEd Honours degrees at the University of the Free State—Psychology of Education and Special Needs Education—and later completed the BSocSci (Hons) BPsych Equivalent at SACAP (2019). She registered with the HPCSA in 2020.

Her special interests include:

• Children & teens: emotional regulation and understanding practical skills, school stress and difficulties, peer dynamics and special educational needs
• Parents & families: practical guidance, consistent support and clear goal setting

Professional registrations & memberships:

• Registered Counsellor (HPCSA): PRC 0037729
• Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA)
• SACE-registered educator (Foundation Phase & Special Needs)

☺ You can claim back session fees provided by Suzaan from your medical aid if your option covers Registered Counsellor services. Please confirm this with your medical aid directly.

 Our office manager has over 30 years of experience as an educator, with a deep commitment to remedial education.  Aletta ensures that you receive compassionate care throughout your experience with us. 

Aletta is available virtually on our WhatsApp line to ask questions, communicate feedback from the counsellors, and manage your payments, booking of sessions, and contracting. She takes pride in ensuring the practice is orderly and that you feel comfortable.

Her expertise in managing both people and our processes is vital to the supportive atmosphere of our practice.

"Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have. Kindness is a silent smile, a friendly word, a nod of encouragement. Kindness is the most powerful thing we can teach children." - Raktivist

Nadia is a highly experienced mental health counsellor with over 20 years of expertise spanning the corporate, NGO, and community sectors across Africa. Her extensive background includes couples counselling, change management implementation, and training programme facilitation. Nadia offers a personalised and solution-focused approach tailored to each individual's unique preferences and needs.

Nadia’s trauma-informed expertise encompasses:

- Navigating change

- Trauma debriefing

- Abuse recovery

- Infidelity and betrayal trauma

- Couples counselling

- Narcissistic abuse recovery

Nadia is based in Rosebank, Johannesburg. You can learn more about her services at https://themindspace.co.za/home and book a session with her via WhatsApp on +27 69 889 9518