The Tiny Room Counselling & Therapy

08/11/2025

When Excellence Becomes Exhaustion; Teen Burnout Starts Earlier Than You Think

We're seeing a concerning pattern in our therapy rooms; 16 - 18 year-olds arriving physically and emotionally depleted—not from a sudden crisis, but from years of relentless performance pressure that started in primary school.
These aren't "lazy" teens. They're burnt out overachievers.

The body keeps the score;
🔥 Chronic insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
🔥 Nausea and loss of appetite
🔥 Persistent stomach issues
🔥 Regular headaches and back pain
🔥 Escalating anxiety and panic attacks

Parents often tell us; "I don't understand what's happening. They used to be so driven."
That's exactly the problem. They've been driven—for too long, too hard, too young.
Here's what many parents miss; A child who has performed at 110% since Grade 4 doesn't have a "sudden attitude problem" in Grade 11. They have a nervous system that's been in overdrive for nearly a decade.
The good news? Burnout is treatable. The earlier we intervene, the better the outcome.
If your high-performing teen is suddenly struggling—physically or emotionally—it might not be defiance. It might be depletion.

The Tiny Room Counselling & Therapy | Bellville
Specialised support for adolescent burnout and mental health
Book at www.thetinyroomtherapy.com

03/11/2025

Your dad said he was "just tired."
He wasn't tired.

He worked 60-hour weeks.
Coached your cricket team on Saturdays.
Fixed the car on Sundays.
Said "I'm fine" every single time someone asked.
He was drowning. And nobody knew.
Last November, a Durbanville father died by su***de the day after telling his wife he was "just tired."

Here's what Cape Town men need to know this Movember:
THE STATISTICS YOU'RE IGNORING
❗80% of su***des in SA are men
❗Men aged 40-49 face the highest risk
❗For every woman who dies by su***de, FOUR men do
❗You're 4-5x more likely to die than to ask for help

WHY YOU WON'T ASK;
❌ "Man up" culture runs too deep
❌ Therapy feels like admitting failure
❌ You think you're protecting your family
❌ You're still functioning, so you tell yourself you're fine

HERE'S THE TRUTH;
Depression in men doesn't look like crying in bed.
It looks like -
→ Working longer hours
→ Snapping at your kids
→ Drinking more
→ Feeling nothing or feeling rage
→ Being physically present but emotionally absent

You can be successful and still be drowning.
You can provide for your family and still be in crisis.
You can go to work every day and still want it all to end.

THE PHONE CALL THAT SAVES LIVES;
This isn't about growing a moustache.
This isn't about "getting in touch with your feelings."
This is about staying alive.

If you're a Cape Town man reading this and something just clicked - that's your sign.
If you're worried about your husband, father, brother, or son - don't wait for him to ask. He won't.
Make the call. It's that simple.
IN CRISIS RIGHT NOW?
SADAG 24/7: 0800 567 567 (free)
Lifeline CT: 021 461 1111
Ready to Live?
The Tiny Room Counselling & Therapy - Bellville
📞 071 673 8641
📧 info@thetinyroomtherapy.com
🌐 www.thetinyroomtherapy.com (New clients book on our website)
We prioritise crisis appointments.
We understand Cape Town men.
We do therapy WITH you, not AT you.
This Movember, choose life.
Your family needs you alive, not strong.

***dePrevention

25/10/2025

TEEN SU***DE PREVENTION

Su***de doesn't have to be the answer. The Tiny Room helps teens find hope again.

If your teenager is struggling with depression, self-harming behaviours and/or suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming anxiety, you're not alone. Every week, parents in Durbanville, Brackenfell, and Bellville reach out to us saying, "I don't know how to help my child anymore."

The Tiny Room Counselling & Therapy specialises in teen mental health and su***de prevention in Cape Town's Northern Suburbs. Our evidence-based 8-week integrated therapy process has helped hundreds of teens move from crisis to confidence.

We work with teens aged 13-19 experiencing:
→ Depression and suicidal thoughts
→ Self-harming behaviours
→ Anxiety and panic attacks
→ Anger and emotional dysregulation
→ Trauma and grief

Your teen deserves more than just "talking it out." Our unique approach combines CBT-Logotherapy, Jungian and ACT techniques, and person-centred approaches to provide them with real tools for lasting breakthroughs.

📍 In-person sessions in the Northern Suburbs
💻 Virtual therapy available across Cape Town
💰 Affordable rates - because life-saving therapy shouldn't be out of reach

Let's help your teen restore their hope and peace.

Book at www.thetinyroomtherapy.com

***deprevention

22/10/2025

The Hidden Cost of Pride
When "I" Becomes the Challenge

Pride whispers dangerous lies. It tells us therapists aren't busy, so missing appointments doesn't matter. It ignores desperate clients on waiting lists who need that slot you just wasted. Pride convinces us everyone else must bend to our chaos while we refuse accountability.

How pride hinders your progress:
🔴 Physical health: Skipping appointments delays healing
🔴 Social health: Relationships crumble when we demand accommodation without reciprocity
🔴 Behavioural health: Excuses replace action, patterns stay broken
🔴 Emotional health: Victim mentality breeds resentment and helplessness
🔴 Mental health: Blaming others blocks growth and self-awareness

Pride is blind. It can't see itself, yet champions others' excuses. It makes us spectators in our own lives, waiting for the world to fix us.

The truth? Life doesn't happen TO you; you CREATE your life through your choices and decisions.

Our therapy process strips away pride's protective lies. We help you reclaim ownership of your story, understand your power, and transform from victim to author of your own narrative.

Stop letting pride steal your potential. Take responsibility. Show up. Own it.

Book at www.thetinyroomtherapy.com

10/10/2025

Good day,

Thank you for reaching out and considering therapy with us.

Our Services & Rates

All sessions are available in-person (La Rochelle in Bellville) or online at the same rate:

✨Tween & Teen Therapy (9-18 years) - R650/55min
Therapist: Lucinda J. Valentine
✨Adult Therapy (18-60+ years) - R650/55min
Therapists: Kia Cordeiro, Patience Jonas, Mandie Pretorius
✨Couples Therapy - R890/60min
Therapist: Mandie Pretorius
✨Executive Therapy (CEOs, Directors, Entrepreneurs) - R750/55min
Therapist: Lucinda J. Valentine

We offer our process in Xhosa, Afrikaans and English

Our 8-Week Integrated Approach

We provide focused 8-session therapy over 8 consecutive weeks. This structure creates the momentum and consistency needed for meaningful breakthroughs. Weekly attendance without gaps is essential to build on each session and achieve lasting results.

How to Book

💛Visit www.thetinyroomtherapy.com and click "Book Your First Session"
💛Complete the intake and consent form
💛For couples therapy: Both partners must complete separate intake forms
💛Our Bookings Team will contact you via WhatsApp with available times

Check our Google reviews to see if we're the right fit: https://g.co/kgs/VcWRCo

Payment & Medical Aid

Medical Aid Details:
Practice number: 1013505 | Procedure code: 89205

Please confirm coverage with your medical aid before booking.

Payment:

Invoice sent via email
Proof of payment due by 08:00 the day before your appointment
Statement provided within 24 hours for claims
We do not submit direct claims to medical aids.

PMB Claims: Email your signed diagnosis or 2025 PMB approval letter to info@thetinyroomtherapy.com

Your first session will give you all the information needed to decide if our approach is right for you.

We look forward to supporting you on your journey.

Sincerely,
The Tiny Room Admin Team

05/10/2025

https://thetinyroomtherapy.outgrow.us/TTRTmentalhealthquiz

Not sure how you're really doing? This self-reflection quiz offers insight into your inner world, mind, body, and emotions so that you can identify where you might need support.

28/09/2025

12 Years In - What Marriage Really Teaches You by Lucinda J. Valentine CEO of The Tiny Room

"Between therapy sessions and building my business, I've learned some hard truths about love and ambition:
Love isn't just choosing each other on your wedding day—it's choosing each other when your startup demands 80-hour weeks, when business stress hits home, and when exhaustion makes you forget why you fell in love.

Here's what I tell couples in our therapy room - Your partner's core personality will NOT change. That driven energy you fell for? Same force that has them taking calls at dinner. That cautious approach you admired? Why they'll question every risk you take.
You're not marrying potential—you're marrying a person. They'll grow in communication and emotional aptitude, but their essential self? That's who they are. Fall in love with THAT person, or don't say "I do."

What sustains us through business failures and those seasons when work steals our time isn't grand gestures—it's unconditional love in action. It's knowing their coffee order on three hours of sleep. It's handling home when they're drowning in deadlines without resentment.

The couples who thrive stopped trying to "fix" each other. They love the ambitious, imperfect, beautifully stubborn person beside them today—not some fantasy version.
Partnership means having hard conversations early: How much risk? What if business consumes everything? How do we protect our connection when success pulls us apart?
Your relationship deserves the vulnerability of saying "I'm struggling" and the courage to hear it back.

What has your relationship taught you about love in the midst of ambition?

Ready to strengthen your partnership? The Tiny Room understands the unique pressures of building careers while nurturing love. Book at www.thetinyroomtherapy.com

28/09/2025

41% of our weekly clients are men – and we are continuing to work hard to increase this number.

Here's why - Men face unique barriers when it comes to seeking mental health support. With su***de rates highest among men, creating a space where they feel comfortable opening up isn't just important – it's essential.

What makes our practice different?
🏠 No waiting room, no receptionist – straight into your session
📋 All admin handled beforehand – no awkward paperwork or card payment
🎯 Results-focused therapy – practical tools, not just conversation
🤝 Feels like visiting a friend – comfortable, non-clinical atmosphere

We've built something special here. A place where seeking help doesn't feel like "seeking help." Where therapy is about real solutions, not just talking in circles.
Your mental health matters. And sometimes, the right environment makes all the difference in taking that first step.
Ready to experience therapy that actually works for you?

Book at www.thetinyroomtherapy.com

21/09/2025

Is Your Life’s Painting Truly Reflecting YOU?

Take a moment to step back and look at your life as if it were a painting. Does it reflect who you are? Or is it filled with strokes and colours chosen by others—decisions, expectations, and influences that don’t feel like your own?
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the choices and opinions of others that our life’s canvas becomes clouded with confusion, fog, and disconnect. The details of who we truly are—our unique personality, dreams, and desires—get lost in the mix.

But here’s the truth - your life is your masterpiece. You have the power to repaint, to clear the fog, and to add your own vibrant colours and details. It starts with reflecting on what truly matters to you and making choices that align with your values, not someone else’s.
Don’t let others hold the paintbrush to your life. Own Your Story. Make sure your painting reflects your authentic self, full of your unique spark, not just the expectations of others.
What colours and details are missing from your painting?

New clients book at www.thetinyroomtherapy.com
Existing clients WhatsApp 071 673 8641 to book your Check-Ins

18/09/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by school pressure, social anxiety, or just... everything?

You're not alone. 70% of young people in Cape Town need mental health support, but finding the right help can feel impossible.

At The Tiny Room, we get it. We speak your language, understand your world, and offer both in-person and online therapy that fits your schedule and parents' budget.

What we offer:
🎉Anxiety and depression support
🎉Study stress management
🎉Social anxiety therapy
🎉Confidence development
🎉Online therapy sessions
🎉Adolescent su***de prevention, self-harm, eating challenges

Your mental health matters. You deserve support that actually understands your world
Ready to take that first brave step? 💙