About Koos

 

Experienced, practical support for people affected by trauma

 

I am Koos Herselman, a private trauma counsellor and trauma recovery coach based in Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg. Since 2006, I have supported people experiencing trauma, grief, stress, emotional upheaval and significant life challenges.

My approach is calm, practical and respectful. I provide a confidential space in which you can speak openly about what has happened, understand how it may be affecting you and begin taking constructive steps towards recovery.

My approach to trauma support

 

Support that begins with the person, not only the experience

 

Trauma can affect people in very different ways. An event that one person manages relatively well may leave another feeling overwhelmed, unsettled or unable to function as they did before. There is no single correct way to respond to a distressing experience, and recovery does not follow a fixed timetable.

 

For this reason, I do not approach people as problems that need to be fixed. I work with each person as an individual whose reactions, circumstances, strengths and needs deserve to be understood.

 

My role is to help you make sense of what you are experiencing, identify the effects the trauma may be having on your thoughts, emotions, behaviour, relationships and daily functioning, and develop practical ways of responding. The work is collaborative. We consider where you are now, what you need most and what realistic progress would look like for you.

 

I believe that people often retain more strength and capacity than they recognise during periods of distress. Support can help you reconnect with these abilities and use them more deliberately as you move forward.

Experience developed through real-world support

 

I have worked in trauma support and personal development since 2006. My experience includes helping people following traumatic incidents, bereavement, industrial accidents, major life disruptions and periods of sustained stress.

 

Part of my work has involved travelling throughout Southern Africa to provide support following industrial accidents. These situations taught me the importance of remaining calm, listening carefully and responding to the immediate needs of individuals rather than making assumptions about what they should be feeling. They also reinforced an important principle in my work: early, appropriate and humane support can make a meaningful difference after a distressing event.

 

Alongside post-incident support, I have worked with people facing difficulties involving self-esteem, confidence, stress, grief, adjustment and personal development. This broader experience allows me to consider not only the traumatic event itself, but also the way it may affect a person’s identity, relationships, decisions and everyday life.

Qualifications and training

 

My academic and professional development has focused on psychology, counselling, trauma support, stress management and personal development.

 

I hold the following qualifications:

 

• BSc (Honours) Psychology with Counselling
• Advanced International Stress Consultancy Diploma
• Psychological First Aid Certificate
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practitioner qualification

 

My qualifications are supported by practical experience gained since 2006. I remain committed to continued learning and to working within the limits of my training and professional role.

 

Although my work draws on established psychological principles and counselling skills, I am not a registered psychologist, psychiatrist or medical practitioner. My services are provided privately and are not claimable from medical aid.

What you can expect when working with me

 

Reaching out for support can feel uncomfortable, particularly when you are unsure how to explain what has happened or how it has affected you. You do not need to arrive with a complete account of your experience or know exactly what kind of help you require.

 

Our work will begin with a conversation about your current situation, your concerns and what you would like to change. You will be treated with dignity and respect, and you will not be pressured to discuss experiences before you feel ready to do so.

 

My approach is:

 

• Calm, respectful and non-judgemental
• Practical and focused on your current needs
• Collaborative rather than prescriptive
• Sensitive to individual circumstances and differences
• Informed by psychological principles and trauma-support practices
• Focused on safety, stabilisation, coping and constructive progress

 

Where your needs fall outside my professional role or require specialised clinical treatment, I will recommend that you consult an appropriately registered healthcare professional. This may include a psychologist, psychiatrist, medical practitioner or another suitable specialist.

Why I do this work

 

I have seen how trauma can temporarily alter a person’s view of themselves, other people and the world around them. People who were previously confident and capable may begin to doubt themselves, withdraw from others or feel that they have lost control over their lives.

 

I have also seen that these reactions do not necessarily define a person’s future.

 

I believe in providing support that recognises both the seriousness of what someone has experienced and their continuing capacity for recovery. This means acknowledging distress without reducing the person to the trauma. It also means helping people identify what remains within their control and supporting them as they gradually rebuild confidence, stability and direction.

 

For me, trauma support is not about offering simplistic reassurance or telling someone to “move on”. It is about meeting the person where they are, understanding what they need and helping them take achievable steps towards a more manageable and meaningful life.

How I can support you

 

I offer three related but distinct forms of support:

Psychological First Aid

Early, humane and practical support following a distressing incident, accident or crisis. Psychological First Aid is intended to reduce immediate distress, promote a sense of safety and connect affected people with appropriate assistance.

Where sessions take place

 

I offer private trauma counselling and trauma recovery coaching in several formats:

 

• Face-to-face sessions at my private practice in Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg
• Online sessions through a secure video platform
• Individual sessions at a client’s home, workplace or another appropriate private location
• Psychological First Aid at workplaces or other locations following distressing incidents

 

Sessions are arranged by appointment.

You do not have to work through this alone

 

If you have experienced trauma or a distressing event and are uncertain about what kind of support would be most appropriate, you are welcome to contact me.

 

We can discuss what you are experiencing, what you hope to gain from support and whether my services are suitable for your needs. If another type of professional assistance would be more appropriate, I will advise you accordingly.

Please note: Trauma recovery coaching is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or unable to keep yourself or someone else safe, contact emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. In South Africa, you can also contact SADAG’s Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567.