Liizl Miller

Liizl Miller

Clinical and Educational Psychologist

image

Processing...

Liizl is a Psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to practice in the fields of both Clinical and Educational Psychology. Additionally, Liizl is registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom.

She runs a private practice in Pretoria, Gauteng, where she has been working with individuals of all ages since 1999. Online services are available for international clients and those in the rest of South Africa.

Liizl has appeared on several television and radio shows to talk about various topics related to the field of psychology.

Liizl's approach is integrative, namely working on an interpersonal level, focussing on what is happening with the client's relationships and interactions, as well as on an intrapersonal level, focussing on childhood developmental trauma and acute trauma, by using the SHIP® model. Please see link to SHIP®. Liizl aims to facilitate a process that assists her clients to:

Stacks Image 3333
adjust to and deal more effectively with life challenges, as well as
grow towards greater psychological well-being.

Her professional services, available in English and Afrikaans, include psychological assessments and psychotherapy with adolescents, adults, couples and families, as well as trauma groups. Liizl works with a variety of psychological and health-related concerns in her practice. See the Services section for details on services offered.

Liizl holds Masters degrees in both Clinical and Educational Psychology, from Medunsa and University of Pretoria respectively. Liizl holds two Honours degrees: one in Educational Psychology and the other in Social Sciences, as well as a Bachelors degree in Education, all of which were obtained from the University of Pretoria.

In 2007 Liizl obtained an Honours degree in Psychology at the University of Pretoria, which was followed by a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Limpopo (Medunsa campus) in 2010. She completed her two internships at the School for Cerebral Palsy, University of Pretoria – Child Guidance Clinic, Weskoppies Hospital (Child and Adolescent unit), Jacaranda Orphanage, Dr. George Mukhari hospital and Weskoppies Hospital (Adult unit). Liizl completed her Community service at Eersterust Clinic. She registered as an Educational Psychologist in January 1999 and as a Clinical Psychologist in Independent Practice in May 2011.

Liizl began her training in SHIP® in 1998 and is registered as a SHIP® for Adults facilitator and a SHIP® for Adolescents facilitator. She is a founding member of the SHIP® FOUNDATION and served on the SHIP® board from 2006 – 2007. Find out more about the SHIP® FOUNDATION by clicking on the SHIP® link in the Services section below, or by visiting the SHIP® FOUNDATION website at www.ship.org.za

Services

image

Adolescents

image

Adolescents from 15 years old and above

Psychotherapy

The transition from childhood to adulthood often presents significant challenges. This period can be particularly demanding not only for teenagers but also for their parents and siblings. Adolescent therapy provides valuable support during these formative years.Therapy offers a secure and understanding environment where teens can openly discuss the changes and difficulties they face, fostering personal growth and resilience.

Adolescent and Teen psychology can assist with:

Stacks Image 3443
Interactional challenges (social skills)
Bullying (bullying peers and and being bullied)
Relationships
Assisting families during or after a divorce
Friendships
Adapting to physical and emotional changes
Anxiety
Self-esteem
Depression
Anger or aggression
Assertiveness
Coping skills
Making difficult life decisions
image

Adults

image

Adults

Individual Psychotherapy

Adults can present with a variety of concerns when they consult the practice. Presenting problems are in many cases not the real problem, but the manifestation and symptomatic behaviour of what lies unresolved in the psyche of the client. Psychotherapy is a process where clients work through their concerns or “blockages" towards psychological growth and healing. Liizl collaborates with the client, working toward an integrated healing process, thus not dispensing advice on healing problems, but rather facilitating the healing process for the client.My therapeutic approach is integrative, namely working on an interpersonal level, focussing on what is happening with the client's relationships and interactions, as well as on an intrapersonal level, focussing on childhood developmental trauma and acute trauma, by using the SHIP® model. Please see link to SHIP®.

Problems Addressed in Therapy include:

Stacks Image 3507
Managing personal and work stress, including burnout and finding work/life balance
Trauma, including acute and PTSD
Complex PTSD
Assertiveness
Self-esteem, self-image and confidence, including struggles around weight, body image and eating
Difficulties in relationships or in interpersonal struggles (conflicts)
Abuse, including emotional, physical and sexual (childhood or adult)
Grief, loss and bereavement
Self-destructive behaviour
Divorce and separation
Pain management / Living with a chronic disease
Personality Disorders
Depression and Bipolar I / II
Anxiety (generalised anxiety, performance anxiety), OCD, Phobias, Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
Acute psychosis, Reactive Psychosis, Psychotic Disorders
Dissociative Identity Disorders (DID)
image

Couples

image

Couples Therapy

Pre-Marital Counselling

Liizl's focus of pre-marital counselling sessions is mostly pro-active, with consideration of different issues which might cause disillusion after the honeymoon phase such as:

Stacks Image 4134
Decision making
Role allocation
Managing the different relationships with each other's family
Maintaining a balance between your identity as an individual and as a couple
Financial orientation
Working through unresolved emotional business
Effective communication
Conflict resolution
Creating psychological healthy habits as a couple

Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is for individuals in partner relationships, whether dating, committed or married. It focuses on enhancing the quality of the relationship between two people in an established relationship. The goal is often to identify and address ineffective patterns of behaviour in the relationship to ensure optimal functioning of both individuals and overall satisfaction.The following may be addressed here:

Stacks Image 4058
Discussing needs
Negotiating power / control
Assertiveness
Communication training and conflict resolution
Working through infidelity or any unfinished emotional business
Adjusting to a new phase of life
Role allocation
Resolving trauma / bereavement
image

Families

image

Family Therapy

Background

Family therapy aims to support families in rebuilding and strengthening relationships among members. It helps restore care, foster understanding of each other's needs, and promotes collaboration in addressing issues, thereby enhancing psychological health and overall well-being.The process typically begins with individual sessions for each family member. This approach allows every person to openly express their unique perspectives concerning the family difficulties. Providing this space ensures that each member’s voice is heard, and personal concerns are acknowledged before transitioning to joint family sessions.It is natural for some family members to feel hesitant about attending these joint sessions. Such reluctance is acknowledged and can be explored within therapy to gradually ease the process. Once the family feels prepared, joint sessions commence, facilitating a collective therapeutic journey where the family works together towards healing and improved relationships.

Areas where Family Therapy may assist

Stacks Image 4236
Enhancing communication within the family
Recovering from a trauma
Assisting with grief
Assisting the family with changes, like changes in the family structure, e.g., births and blended families
Sibling rivalry or conflict as well a s conflict between parents and their children
Developing healthy boundaries for each family member's personal needs to be met
Adjusting or guidance for the family when a member of the family is diagnosed with a medical, psychiatric or psychological condition
image

Trauma Groups

image

Trauma Work Weekends

Traumatic experiences are addressed within a group setting. These groups, which consist of 4 to 6 members, start on a Thursday and run through to Sunday. They are held in a nature setting approximately 2 hours from Johannesburg.Please contact Liizl to enquire about costs and dates.

image

Presentations and Workshops

image

Presentations and Workshops

Liizl is a skilled presenter and group discussion facilitator. She has covered a wide variety of topics within the fields of mental health, in general, and psychology.Feel free to enquire regarding the possibility of presentations and discussions in the following settings:

Stacks Image 3236
Corporate institutions
Continued Professional Development activities, including Workshops, Seminars, Forums and Discussion Groups
Health institutions
image

Supervision for fellow Clinical Psychologists

image

Peer / Colleague Supervision

Liizl is available for peer / colleague supervision for fellow clinical psychologists.

image

SHIP®

image

SHIP®

The acronym SHIP® stands for Spontaneous Healing Intrasystemic Process. As a registered SHIP® facilitator Liizl uses her skills and training to assist clients to make use of their own natural restorative abilities.The SHIP® FOUNDATION was established in September 2001 as a training school for Clinical, Counseling and Educational Pscyhologists registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The HPCSA accredited THE SHIP® FOUNDATION with CPD status in 2002.Liizl was a founding member of the SHIP® FOUNDATION in 2001 and served on the Board of Management of the SHIP® FOUNDATION from 2006 - 2007. Liizl is a registered SHIP® for Adults facilitator and a registered SHIP® for Adolescents facilitator.You can read more about the SHIP® FOUNDATION by visiting their website at www.ship.org.za

Frequently Asked Questions

Psychotherapy offers various benefits, including support, problem-solving skills, and coping strategies for issues like depression, anxiety, relationship problems, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks.

Many people also find that therapy can be invaluable for personal growth, improving relationships, addressing family concerns, managing marriage issues, and dealing with daily life challenges.

Psychotherapists provide a fresh perspective on difficult problems or help clients uncover solutions. The client's active participation is essential for therapy to be effective; the benefits you gain depend on how well you use the process and apply what you learn. Some benefits include:

Stacks Image 4597
Resolution to issues that motivated seeking therapy
Better self-understanding, goals, and values
Changing old behaviour patterns and developing new ones
Improved relationship skills, including enhanced communication and listening, and addressing problems in relationships
Coping strategies for stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improved self-esteem and self-confidence
Navigating changes and challenges

The phrase "informed by a systems approach to psychotherapy" means that Liizl considers her clients within the context of the larger systems they are part of, such as families, communities, and social networks.

This approach recognises that people's behaviours, emotions, and mental health are influenced by their interactions and relationships within these systems. Beyond the individual, the focus expands to consider how patterns, dynamics, and structures within their environment contribute to their psychological well-being.

This approach serves as a framework for conceptualising and guiding therapy by utilising a range of techniques tailored to the specific needs of each client, ensuring that the most effective methods are applied to help resolve their difficulties.

As social beings, we exist in relationship and are interdependent. Our relationships significantly influence our emotions, behaviours, and identities. The patterns that emerge from our interactions and relationships play a crucial role in shaping our behaviour and our identities.

The consultation fees match medical aid rates.

Individual therapy sessions are generally 51-60 minutes long; they vary based on the client’s needs.

Medical aid patients are charged according to their individual medical aid rate. It is advisable to contact your medical aid in advance to ensure you have funds available, as not all medical aids cover psychological treatment.

Private patients, including foreign patients or those without medical aid pay cash.

Please notify Liizl 24 hours prior to a scheduled session if you are unable to attend. Clients who fail to do so and then fail to attend these scheduled appointments will be required to pay the full cost of the session, in accordance with HPCSA guidelines.

Map

Parking is available.
Please park at the SMALL GATE, which is also the entrance to the practice.

GPS Coordinates:
-25.7941913604736, 28.2320518493652

Processing...