Meet the Clinical Team
Thandisa Nkonyeni
Addictions Counsellor | Crossroads Recovery Centre Pretoria
Thandisa Nkonyeni is an Addictions Counsellor within the Counselling team at Crossroads Recovery Centre's Pretoria treatment centre. She brings 10 years of experience in the addictions industry alongside 26 years of counselling experience across multiple organisations.
Her approach recognises every client as an individual requiring an individualised approach to treatment and recovery. Thandisa focuses on developing a therapeutic relationship in which clients can feel heard while also being compassionately and firmly challenged to grow and change.
- Addictions Counsellor
- 10 Years in Addiction Treatment
- 26 Years' Counselling Experience
- Pretoria Treatment Centre
About Thandisa
An Individualised Approach to Counselling and Recovery
Thandisa's interest in counselling developed during her twenties, when her professional direction began moving away from a primarily corporate career path towards helping people through counselling.
While studying commerce, she remained involved in counselling, initially through lay counselling and later as a registered counsellor and addictions counsellor.
Her professional journey has included counselling and community-based work across several organisations and environments. Her experience has reinforced her belief that every client is an individual and that counselling should respond to the person's individual needs, circumstances and readiness for change.
Thandisa describes the process of making contact with a client, developing a therapeutic relationship and witnessing a person's gradual growth and healing as one of the most meaningful aspects of her work.
Qualifications & Credentials
Professional and Academic Qualifications
CADC
Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Commerce
Internship
Cecilia Makiwane Hospital · 2009
Professional Background
Professional Registration
Registered Counsellor
Historical registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
2011 – 2012Counselling Experience
Experience Across Counselling and Community Support
Thandisa's counselling background spans addiction treatment, community support and counselling roles across a range of organisations and support environments.
South African Depression and Anxiety
Lay Counsellor
Lifeline
Lay Counsellor
Students Partnership Worldwide
Community Worker and Counsellor
Students HIV/AIDS Resistance Program (SHARP)
Rape Crisis
Community Worker and Counsellor
SAPS Victim Support Unit
Volunteer Counsellor
Queer Life
Community Worker
Clinical Experience
Areas Thandisa Works With
Addiction
- Alcohol Addiction
- Drug Addiction
- Behavioural Addictions
Counselling & Therapeutic Support
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Family Counselling
- Individual Counselling
- Group Therapy
Recovery Support
- Relapse Prevention
Patient Support
Services Provided During Treatment
Initial Assessments
Supporting the initial process of understanding a person's circumstances and treatment needs.
Individual Therapy
One-to-one therapeutic support tailored to the individual and their recovery process.
Crisis Intervention
Providing counselling support during periods requiring focused and timely intervention.
Educational Workshops
Structured educational sessions supporting understanding of addiction, recovery and related topics.
Treatment Philosophy
Meeting Each Person as an Individual
“Every client is an individual requiring an individualised approach geared towards motivating clients to grow and change.”
Thandisa's approach to forming a therapeutic alliance is strongly influenced by Motivational Interviewing and a Person-Centred Approach.
From that foundation, she describes her counselling approach as eclectic and responsive to the individual's needs, drawing from a range of counselling theories.
Areas of Support
Addiction Concerns Thandisa Commonly Works With
What Patients Can Expect
Compassionate Listening with Honest Challenge
Patients working with Thandisa can expect to be listened to and approached as individuals.
Her counselling perspective recognises that meaningful change can require both compassion and challenge. She describes her approach as one in which clients can expect to be challenged in a compassionate but firm manner, with the objective of encouraging growth and change.
Her wider treatment philosophy starts with establishing a therapeutic alliance and responding to the needs of the individual rather than applying a single approach to every person.
Therapeutic Relationship
Building a Foundation for Growth and Change
Thandisa places considerable importance on making meaningful contact with the person receiving treatment and establishing a therapeutic relationship.
Her professional experience has reinforced her belief that each individual enters treatment with different experiences, challenges and needs.
The counselling relationship therefore becomes an important foundation for understanding the person, encouraging motivation and supporting the gradual process of growth and change.
Professional Interests
Areas of Continuing Professional Interest
Communication
Languages Spoken
Communication and cultural understanding can contribute to establishing trust and supporting the counselling relationship.
Published Work
Writing & Published Contributions
Thandisa's professional profile records the following published works and contributions.
Counselling Approach
A Flexible Approach Guided by Individual Needs
Rather than applying one counselling model to every person, Thandisa describes her approach as eclectic and responsive to the needs of the individual.
Her starting point places importance on Motivational Interviewing and a Person-Centred Approach when establishing the therapeutic relationship, while drawing from other counselling theories according to individual needs.
Every client is an individual requiring an individualised approach geared towards motivating clients to grow and change.
Thandisa NkonyeniAddictions Counsellor, Crossroads Recovery Centre Pretoria
Crossroads Recovery Centre
Part of the Pretoria Counselling Team
Thandisa works within the Counselling team at Crossroads Recovery Centre's Pretoria treatment centre. Her role contributes to the broader treatment environment supporting individuals affected by addiction as they engage with treatment and work towards continued recovery.
Take the Next Step
Speak to Crossroads Recovery Centre
If you or someone close to you needs support for addiction, the Crossroads Recovery Centre admissions team can help you understand the next steps, treatment options and admission process.
Pretoria Admissions +27 82 653 3311Confidential guidance from the Crossroads Recovery Centre admissions team.
Request a Confidential Call
Complete the form and a member of our admissions team will contact you.