Brenda Leemans

Brenda Leemans has been counselling families in her private practice since 2010. She has a passion for working with children and helping them develop the emotional skills they need to navigate their lives. She holds an Honours degree in Psychology from UNISA and is registered with the HPCSA.

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Brenda's private practice is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (PRC0011932) and the Board of Health Care Funders (0410632). This practice is contracted to most medical aids. 

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Brenda has had a diverse range of experience in the field of counselling, having worked in various capacities over the past decade. As a registered counsellor, she has been helping clients with a variety of issues related to mental health, including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and relationship difficulties.

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In 2012, Brenda founded the Chameleon Child Therapy Centre - a practice dedicated to providing high-quality therapy services to children and families. With a team of experienced and compassionate therapists, Chameleon Child Therapy Centre has helped countless children overcome emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges through the power of play. Brenda's vision for the centre was to create a warm, welcoming environment where children could feel safe and supported as they worked through their struggles. Today, Chameleon Child Therapy Centre is widely recognised as a leader in the field of therapy for children, with a reputation for excellence and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the families they serve.

In addition to her private practice work, Brenda also been working as a school counsellor at Knights Preparatory School since 2019. In this role, she works closely with learners, educators, parents, and therapists to help resolve a range of issues that do not necessarily require elevated intervention. Her work in this area involves providing support and guidance to students who are experiencing academic or personal challenges, as well as working with parents and teachers to develop strategies to help students succeed.

Brenda also has experience working as a trauma counsellor at Arwyp Medical Centre between 2013 and 2016. In this role, she worked with patients and family members who were dealing with trauma, particularly in the ICU and ER departments. Her work involved providing emotional support, helping patients and family members to cope with the impact of traumatic events, and facilitating access to additional resources where needed.

Brenda began her career as an intern counsellor under Samantha Holle, Counselling Psychologist between 2008 and 2010. During this time, she received training as a counsellor under the supervision of the Head of Psychology at Life Glynnview Psychiatric Hospital in Benoni. This experience provided her with a solid foundation in counselling techniques and principles, which she has since built upon throughout her career.

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In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Brenda found a unique way to use her creativity and passion for helping children by writing her first therapeutic children's book, titled The Chameleon Who Couldn't Change His Colours. This book is the first in a series that uses imaginative storytelling to teach children valuable life skills and coping strategies. With her expertise in play therapy and child psychology, Brenda crafted a story that is both engaging and therapeutic, helping children navigate difficult emotions and challenges in a safe and supportive way. The Chameleon Who Couldn't Change His Colours has received glowing reviews from parents and mental health professionals alike, and has become a valuable resource in helping children build resilience and emotional intelligence.

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Brenda is also a certified NBI practitioner, having completed her training with the Kobus Neethling Institute in 2023. NBI, or the Neethling Brain Instrument, is a tool used to measure an individual's thinking preferences and cognitive strengths. As a certified practitioner, Brenda is able to use NBI to help her clients better understand their own cognitive patterns and develop strategies for improving their performance in various areas of their lives. This tool is particularly useful for children, helping them to identify their cognitive strengths and learning preferences. By understanding their own thinking patterns, children can become more self-aware and better equipped to succeed in school and other areas of their lives.  Brenda's certification as an NBI practitioner is a testament to her commitment to staying at the forefront of her field and providing her clients with the most effective and up-to-date resources available.

Brenda has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting clients and patients in a range of settings, with a particular focus on mental health and emotional well-being in children. Her diverse experience, combined with her professional registration, makes Brenda a valuable asset to any organisation, parent, or family seeking counselling support.