Caroline Goatley - Clinical Psychologist

I studied at Stellenbosch University and qualified as a clinical psychologist in 1993.

My early professional years were spent in Cape Town, where I focused on psychotherapy and organisation development in the corporate world. I now have a private practice at Arundel Medical Rooms in Hermanus.

We are all hardwired to connect with others. Healthy human relationships are central to our well-being; they are what give purpose and meaning to our lives. I have great respect for the knowledge and experiences that clients bring, and together we explore beliefs, behaviours, emotions, past experiences and social dynamics with curiosity and compassion.

We must have courage and be willing to be vulnerable to enter the therapy process - however, you don’t have to be able to see the whole staircase to take the first step!

I have a great love for people and the outdoors. My energy and rejuvenation will always be connected to and inspired by nature as well as meaningful connections with people.

As a member of the Health Professions Council of South Africa, I am committed to providing a professional, empathic and confidential therapeutic process.

Caroline Goatley
Clinical Psychologist
BA (Nursing) MA (ClinPsch) (Stell)
HPCSA reg no: PS0039780
Practice no: 0475718

I see mostly late teens, couples and adults in order to assist with the following:

Anxiety and phobias
Depression and mood disorders
Loss, grief and bereavement
Anger management
Adjustment difficulties
Relationship challenges and couple counselling
Trauma counselling and dealing with post-traumatic stress
Personal development and growth - dealing with issues connected to shame, poor self-esteem and loss of identity
Clinical health issues - adjusting to a newly diagnosed illness, hospitalisation, recovery and post-operative counselling

Therapy appointments are 50 – 60 minutes long. The number of sessions depends on client preference and individual requirements. Fees are structured within medical aid rates.

The focus in Narrative therapy is to separate the individual from the problem and to view issues in a relational and contextual manner.

Therapy looks beyond the problem-saturated story to other alternatives, strengths, skills and abilities. I am very inquiring of ‘taken for granted’ realities and practices that shape or restrict our lives.

Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) is goal orientated, structured and solution focussed. As a client, you play an active role in identifying unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns that lead to emotional distress.

With the help of the therapist, the client learns to restructure these beliefs and to develop effective new philosophies that lead to healthier emotions and habits. (Primary and advanced REBT training ; CBTi training for Insomnia)

I have recently focused on Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT) for anxiety, trauma and grief work. This is an effective, powerful short-term intervention that yields good results.

It has been designed to remove emotive responses that are deeply troubling, and create new, adaptive neural pathways that bring about symptom relief. (BWRT training level 1 and level 2)

Caroline Goatley - Clinical Psychologist

“All sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story or tell a story about them.”