Dr. Lauren Moss

D. Litt et Phil (Psychology ) UJ; MA (Psych) RAU;
A Honours (Psychology) UNISA; B UNISA

Counselling Psychologist
PCSA Number: PS 0094412
ractice Number: 086000 0225002

My journey with psychology began 26 years ago when I began to study psychology at undergrad level. I completed my training as a Counselling Psychologist at the then Rand Afrikaans University, now the University of Johannesburg. 

Before my formal training was complete I had spent many years working in the fields of trauma and sexual abuse volunteering and working for a community based trauma counselling program run by the Midrand Graduate Institute. I was also a founding member of the Open Disclosure Foundation, an organisation formed to create a safe and accepting space for victims of sexual abuse to tell their stories and hopefully begin the process of becoming survivors. Working for Open Disclosure allowed me the privilege of working with amazing women who had endured the pain of sexual abuse. 

Working with sexual abuse survivors encouraged me to want to further understand the psychological impact sexual abuse and rape has on a woman. This interest culminated in both Masters and Doctoral research into the psychological impact of rape. I hope to use the knowledge gained to continue to help people who have been exposed to the pain of sexual abuse. Expanding from this experience, I have developed a keen interest in trauma in general. Understanding the neurobiology of stress and trauma has greatly improved my ability to work with acute traumas as well as pervasive ingoing traumas.

My formal training as a Counselling Psychologist allowed me to practice psychotherapy from a collaborative perspective, meaning that I believe psychotherapy is a space where the therapist and the client share their respective bodies of knowledge, mine of psychology and the clients of themselves, in order to achieve mutually agreed goals. I continue to work with a trauma informed perspective, meaning that even with clients who are seeking therapy for various reasons such as depression and anxiety I am always considering the impact that traumas and crisis have had on their psychology and physiology.

I completed my internship at the University of Johannesburg’s Student Counselling unit, the focus of the training being mostly on psychotherapy and career counseling. After I finished my internship I worked full time at the Open Disclosure Foundation, running the counseling activities. After a year working in the NGO, I returned to the University of Johannesburg and continued my work with students. In 2008, the student counselling centre expanded it services to include psychological services offered to the public. I then took on the role as Team Leader of Therapeutic Services, where I contributed to the implementation and managing of various programs, such as support groups, psychosocial action campaigns and training of intern Social Workers. I also implemented and ran the University’s 24 Hour Crisis Line, a telephonic counseling service to students of staff of the university. This project has further grown my interest and experience in working with trauma. 

I embarked on full time private practice in 2010. A journey which has brought much personal and professional growth. Along with providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples, I am also actively involved in professional supervision. Providing peer supervision as well as supervision for Masters students during their practical placements and supervision for tailor made internships of both Registered Counsellors and Counselling Psychologist interns. Being a part of other professionals learning and growth is such a privilege and I have enjoyed opportunities to be a guest lecture at several post graduate psychology classes at Wits University, University of Johannesburg and Midrand Graduate Institute. 

Over the years I have extended my knowledge and professional skills by attending various training programs. As such I am skilled and experienced in the following techniques or approaches:

Clinical Hypnosis, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Accredited use of the MBTI (Meyers Briggs Type Indicator), Narrative Career Counselling, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness based practices, Biofeedback and Neurofeedback.  

As well as being a scholar of new knowledge and skills, I have had the privilege of presenting HPCSA accredited CPD workshops on various topics such as Rape Trauma, Stress, burnout and Adrenal Fatigue and most recently Trauma Informed Psychotherapy.