therapy for individuals and Couples

Marriage, relationships, family, trauma and work issues

“One of the most impressive art pieces from Burning Man is a sculpture of two adults after a disagreement. They sit with their backs to each other yet, the inner child in both of them sincerely wants to connect. Age has many beautiful gifts, but one we could live without is the pride and resentment we hold onto when we have conflicts with others. The forgiving, free spirit of children is our true nature. Remember this when you feel [Insert your feeling].

Burning Man Sculpture

Often the decision to start therapy is a difficult one. I provide a safe space for you to explore your experiences and the feelings you have about your marriage or relationship; family matters; a traumatic incident or issues at work.

Please contact me should you need to discuss any of these areas of your life. I am available to accompany and support you.

The quality of your relationship today is as meaningful as the two of you co-create it in the present moment.

1-On-1 or couples therapy

“Vulnerability is not weakness. The uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional. Our only choice is a question of engagement. Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose. The level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.

Brene Brown

A little about me

My interest in marriage and family life spans almost four decades. The first ten years were marked by an intense search for a type of couples’ therapy that gets to the heart of the matter. I found this in Imago Relationship Therapy that works with the deeper emotions that underlie behaviour and experience as well as the histories of each partner that have a profound effect on the dynamic in the relationship. It connects with the heart of your early life experience and resolves the root of your difficulties so that you can move forward in your life with greater compassion and insight. I also work with individuals experiencing life-stresses and relationship difficulties, who are looking for more fulfilling, loving lives and relationships. I care about you and your relationships!

Suzanne Duncan

M. Soc. Sc. Clinical SW (UCT)

What happens in the first session?

In the initial session, we will meet in person for the first time. I will ask you to read and sign a contract that gives, amongst other things, the conditions of the working relationship and the payment of fees. I will ask you to tell me about the difficulties you are going through before we go into your history and explore your life-experiences. I will ask you what you want the outcome of the counselling to be.

Sessions with individuals last for 50 minutes and those with couples 70 minutes and take place in a quiet room. At the end of the first session, I will ask you whether you want to come back. If so, sessions take place weekly and usually on the same day and time.

The more you understand how counselling works, the more comfortable you will be. Ask questions about the counselling process, and ask me to repeat anything I have not been clear about. Be open and honest about your feelings. A lot will be going through your mind and emotions in this first session.

Hear it from others:

“I would not see anyone other than Suzanne Duncan for couples’ counselling. Her wisdom – and her practical advice – is priceless.”

Catherine H

”I have worked with Suzanne for quite some time and have insight into how she runs her practice. She is committed to the people who consult with her and applies the Imago therapy method to great effect.”

Karen M

“I was initially referred to Suzanne Duncan for marriage counselling with the person to whom I was married. I was in an extremely dysfunctional and abusive marriage. Through the expert and care filled experience of marriage counselling with Suzanne, I found the strength to end the marriage. However, the end of the marriage was the start of a long term healing process that encompassed my entire life story.

It was extraordinarily difficult to face the wounds I carried as a result of being given up for adoption, and being adopted by a narcissistic couple, who through physical and emotional cruelty left me psychologically crippled. Suzanne, in individual therapy, held my being and my story with deep compassion and gentle firmness that gave me the strength to engage with who I was, what had happened to me and, most importantly, to begin to dream and plan a new way of being, within myself and in the world.”