“Can I see a South African therapist online while I live abroad?”
Yes.
I am Renée Shearing, an HPCSA-registered occupational therapist in Cape Town, and I work online with South Africans living abroad.
Trauma therapy is the centre of my work: the lasting effects of difficult experiences, anxiety and panic, burnout, hypervigilance, a nervous system that struggles to settle, and patterns that keep repeating in relationships.
Wherever you have settled, in the US, the UK, Europe, the UAE, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, we can meet by video.
Whether you think of yourself as an expat, an emigrant or simply a South African abroad, you are welcome to get in touch.
I have nearly three decades of clinical experience, and online sessions are an established part of my practice.
Why some South Africans abroad look for a South African therapist
Some people who have emigrated find it easier to talk to someone who already knows where they come from.
You may not need to explain the places, the history or the family life you grew up with.
Your accent, your expressions and your sense of humour will not need translating.
Family back home is often part of what people bring: parents growing older, brothers and sisters who stayed, and the guilt or relief of being far away.
Emigrating can bring a grief of its own, even when leaving was the right decision.
You may be the strong one who left and still holds the family together from far away.
Not everyone wants this, and a therapist where you live may suit you better; it depends on what you are looking for.
How online sessions work
Sessions are 50 minutes, by Zoom or another platform you prefer, from home, from work or wherever you can be private.
Appointment times are set in South African time (SAST, UTC+2), and South Africa does not change its clocks, so the difference from where you live may change with the seasons.
I am available for sessions Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 18:00, South African time.
The first session is about what has brought you, what you would like to change, and whether we are a good fit.
Which of my approaches work online
I work with my different approaches both in-person and online, including EMDR, TRE® and other somatic work, with adjustments to how we work together.
Not every method suits every person or every circumstance, and some work may need more preparation online.
Fees
Fees depend on where you live, and the Rates page shows the fee that applies to you.
I confirm your fee when you book.
Questions South Africans abroad ask
Can I work with you online if I have emigrated from South Africa?
Yes, I work online with South Africans living in the US, the UK, Europe, the UAE, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
We would talk first about time zones, what you are looking for, and whether online work suits it.
Do I pay the South African fee if I am South African but live abroad?
The fee follows where you live, not your nationality, so the Rates page shows the fee for the country you live in.
What time are sessions if I live in the UK or Australia?
In London they run from 05:00 to 16:00, or 06:00 to 17:00 in British Summer Time.
In Sydney they run from 15:00 to 02:00 (next day), or 16:00 to 03:00 (next day) in daylight saving time.
Have you worked outside South Africa yourself?
Yes, my professional background includes work in psychiatric hospitals and rehabilitation settings in the UK and Australia, as well as in South Africa.
Can we meet in-person when I am back in Cape Town?
Yes, when you are in Cape Town we can also meet at my rooms in Wynberg.