Calm, Clear & Helpful

Ep. 30: Mind Dynamix: explore your brain in 3D

No-one enters the world with an operating manual for their brain - but developmental specialist Dr. Melodie de Jager’s neuroscience-based programme, Mind Dynamix, comes close. Understanding your integrated profile, your strengths, and how your brain functions under stress sheds light on the extent to which you fit into your work…

17 Aug 2021 1 hr 16 min

Ep. 29 How BWRT can help manage bipolar disorder

Clinical psychologist Dr. Elisa Mecco explains to podcast host Mariette Snyman the definition of bipolar disorder, its subtypes, possible causes, symptoms and treatment. She describes the success she sees in her practice applying BrainWorking Recursive Therapy and offers advice to the loved ones of individuals with bipolar disorder. Elisa considers…

10 Aug 2021 45 min

Ep. 28 This is how specialised physiotherapy can ease painful sex

Are you familiar with pelvic floor physiotherapy? Hester van Aswegen introduces us to her work with male and female patients who experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Regarding women who find sexual intercourse painful she talks about the causes, symptoms, and treatment – including breathing and manual release techniques, and the use…

3 Aug 2021 48 min

Ep. 27 Covid-19: are you experiencing survivor’s guilt?

When you survive a life-threatening situation, pandemic or other trauma during which someone else suffered or died, you may be overcome by guilt. This is commonly known as “survivor’s guilt”. Specialist psychiatrist Dr Kerryn Armstrong talks about “Covid-19 survivor’s guilt”, possible causes, signs, treatment, and its relationship to post-traumatic stress…

27 Jul 2021 36 min

Ep. 26 Resilience: learning how to stand strong

Resilience helps us cope with change, adversity and setbacks. Learning and development specialist Dr Rina de Klerk-Weyer tells podcast host Mariette Snyman how to use your inner strength to become the best you, despite your circumstances. This doesn’t involve being strong all the time; it’s more about changing your perspective,…

20 Jul 2021 26 min

Ep. 25 How to reconnect your mind and your body

In these times, as we are looking for more ways to stay healthy or to recuperate, strengthening our connection with our bodies is crucial. Educational psychologist Dr. Elsi Meyer tells podcast host Mariette Snyman how the various layers of the mind can be used to awaken the “felt sense” of…

13 Jul 2021 43 min

Ep. 24 How to recognise and cope with OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a stressful condition that can become chronic if left untreated. Prof. Christine Lochner talks about the symptoms and causes of OCD, and how it is diagnosed and treated. She invites South Africans to participate in a voluntary, cost-free international study conducted in Cape Town and explains who…

6 Jul 2021 47 min

Ep. 23 Emotional challenges accompanying ADHD: how BWRT can help

Educational psychologist Hannelie Spies explains how she supports teenagers and university students with ADHD by helping them improve their Executive Functioning, and by using BWRT® to address the emotional challenges caused by living with ADHD. These traumas include being misunderstood, bullying, low self-worth, depression, and general, social or exam anxiety…

29 Jun 2021 38 min

Ep. 22 Psigiese siektes: so help jy jou geliefde en jouself

Het jy of iemand ná aan jou ‘n psigiese siekte? Joernalis Pieter van Zyl praat oor sy boek, “Verhale van hoop: só help jy jou geliefde en jouself”, geskryf vir mense wat met ‘n uitdaging soos depressie, angsversteuring, opgaarsindroom of obsessief-kompulsiewe versteuring saamleef. Hy vertel waar die aangrypende verhale in…

22 Jun 2021 47 min

Ep. 21 Once you learn to read, you’ll be forever free

Reading with comprehension is the foundation of academic achievement, yet many children have reading difficulties. For South Africans, the PIRLS study was an unsettling wake-up call. Developmental specialist Dr. Melodie de Jager explains why the brain and the body must be ready to learn to read, and how the force…

15 Jun 2021 45 min

Ep. 20 Three myths about ageing that you can kiss goodbye

Does ageing inevitably lead to physical and mental decline, loneliness, and becoming “useless”? It needn’t. Dr. Hannetjie van Zyl-Edeling discusses scientific studies proving that we have control over several ageing processes – provided we know what to do and make the effort. Learn how to examine and edit your beliefs,…

8 Jun 2021 49 min

Ep. 19 How I have coped with my husband’s self-death

Social worker Annette de la Porte shares the heart-rending story of her husband’s chronic depression, lasting for 35 years and ending in self-death. She freely speaks about living with André’s depression and the possibility of self-death, finally losing him in May 2020. Annette shares the depth of her grief and…

1 Jun 2021 1 hr 07 min

Ep.18 BWRT: ‘n doeltreffende oplossing vir post-traumatiese stressindroom

Die binnewonde wat mense opdoen kan nie met die blote oog gesien word nie; tog ly minstens 10% van die bevolking aan posttraumatiese stressindroom. Voorligtingsielkundige Heinrich Benjamin verduidelik wat PTSD is, wat dit kan veroorsaak, hoe ons dit herken en hoe dit gediagnoseer word. Hy belig die sukses en voordele…

25 May 2021 31 min

Ep 17 Boost your chances for natural fertility and conception

Many couples struggle to fall pregnant. Counselling psychologist and hypnotherapist Karin Steyn clarifies the Fertile Body Method, a holistic approach to external and internal aspects of male and female infertility, including psycho-education, lifestyle considerations, hypnosis, visualisation and other forms of support. A couple’s relationship is strengthened and their fertility goals…

18 May 2021 34 min

Ep. 16 Can you have depression and still be happy?

Daryl Brown survived a suicide attempt but lost his legs. In spite of this, he now has a fulfilled life. Daryl shares his struggle with depression, the conflict between his spirituality and sexuality, bullying, and isolation with podcast host Mariette Snyman. Although he knows what it’s like to have no…

11 May 2021 46 min

Ep 15 Painful sex in women: causes and cures

Although one in five women will experience painful intercourse at some stage, this remains a taboo topic. Dr. Jireh Serfontein explains to podcast host Mariette Snyman why making love may hurt, including the role of oral contraceptives and vaginismus. Treatment may incorporate specialised physiotherapy, dilators, and counselling. This problem also…

4 May 2021 17 min

Ep. 14 HypnoBirthing: why it’s good for Mom, Baby – and Dad!

During childbirth, the well-being of Mom and Baby remains the foremost concern. These days, however, parents have many choices: where their child should be born, who to include in their birth team, and what type of birth they prefer. Counselling psychologist Karin Steyn tells podcast host Mariette Snyman about the…

27 Apr 2021 53 min

Ep.13 Só kan jy in moeilike omstandighede floreer

Een ding wat vasstaan, is dat niks bly soos dit is nie – veral wanneer ‘n pandemie die wêreld tref. Die meeste van ons moes emosionele, finansiële, gesondheidsverwante of ander krisisse die hoof bied. Baie van ons probeer steeds die mas opkom. Wat bepaal of ons onder die omstandighede opstaan…

20 Apr 2021 46 min

Ep. 12 How BWRT eases children’s experiences of death and trauma

We are all affected by the death of a loved one, but children can be particularly vulnerable. Clinical psychologist Shelley Hall explains how to support a grieving child and which signs could indicate that professional help is required. Recounting the case of an 8-year-old who witnessed her father shoot her…

13 Apr 2021 35 min

Ep. 11 My partner has erectile dysfunction – please help!

Studies show up to 80% of all cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by an underlying medical problem. This means that getting help for erectile dysfunction - sooner rather than later - can save a man’s life. Dr. Jireh Serfontein tells podcast host Mariette Snyman about the causes, treatment, and…

6 Apr 2021 20 min