I qualified as a Specialist Wellness Counsellor in June 2021 after completing the Humanitas Counselling Course at Vita Nova Counselling Centre in Pretoria. I’ve always been passionate about helping people heal and grow. Over the past four years, I’ve worked in private practice, providing individual and group counselling, and spent a year as a school counsellor supporting learners through personal and academic challenges. Through Dr Elna Dürr Counselling, I’m able to connect with clients wherever they are and continue guiding them towards growth and wellbeing.

I was born with a genetic eye condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which left me without peripheral vision. Being visually impaired granted me the advantage of not being affected by what the eyes perceive, allowing me to not make assumptions or judge others based on physical appearance. My strength lays in listening, which connects me to the essence of situations.

Over the past ten years, I broadened my psychology knowledge through my research studies when I obtained my Master’s in Psychology in 2015 and Doctoral in Psychology in 2020 ─ both at Stellenbosch University.

For my Master’s thesis, I researched the resilience characteristics of families whose children have severe and profound intellectual disabilities. I co-authored an article based on my Master’s thesis with Prof AP Greeff, and it was published in the journal Social Work Vol 65(2) in 2020 – doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15270/52-2-822. The research for my PhD focused on the physical, social, emotional and psychological well-being and coping skills of Muslim, Jewish and secular slaughterers in South Africa.

I’m a firm believer in positive psychology and that we all have the ability and the power to flourish and be resilient in the face of adversity.

Through my research and practical experience, I developed a passion for trauma counselling. Since no trauma is without a loss, I also help people work through bereavement, grief, and loss. Helping people understand and cope with their anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relationship problems are also near to my heart.

I primarily focus on individual counselling for adults and teenagers, group counselling for families and couples counselling. My fields of expertise include:

• Trauma
• Loss and grief
• Depression and anxiety management
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of purpose and meaning in life
• Relationship problems
• Play-based intervention with children

Allow me to take your hand and support you on this healing journey. Let me help you regain your peace, find your inner strength, and learn the skills to prosper in every aspect of your life.