Laurian Ward Counselling Psychologist

17/02/2026

This generation didn’t break themselves. Families and communities broke the anchor system. It is time to rebuild it deliberately, starting tonight.

The youth mental health crisis in South Africa requires more than just conversation; it requires intervention. Laurian Ward Counseling Psychologist specializes in youth mental health crisis interventions designed to restore stability and direction.

Book a family assessment today for proven resilience pathways. Move from crisis to a structured foundation.

Laurian Ward Counseling Psychologist
Specialized Youth Mental Health Interventions

South Africa is navigating a youth mental health crisis that feels unprecedented—because it is. But here is the hard truth we must face: This generation didn’t break themselves.When the traditional "anchor systems" of family, community, and stability are compromised, our youth are left to drift ...

12/02/2026

Counselling is a structured, confidential process designed to improve mental and emotional well-being, offering a safe space to process difficult emotions, reduce stress, manage anxiety or depression, and navigate life's challenges. It empowers individuals to gain self-awareness, improve coping strategies, and develop healthier behaviors.

09/02/2026

I understand trauma. I understand loss.
I understand not knowing what to do next, or being too scared to talk to anyone about what happened to you. This is why I became a psychologist.

In today’s world, we don’t want to be broken. We don’t want to be hurt. And we definitely don’t want to be “in therapy.” But the truth is - everyone should be in therapy at some point. Not because something is wrong with you, but because it helps you calibrate:
who you think you are, who you really are, who you let the world believe you are, too scared to be.

So many people are quietly living behind walls, too scared to open up, too scared to feel, and too scared to live the only life they have.

We are all scared. We are all lonely. And in some way, we are all carrying something broken. It takes real courage to look at what hurts, especially when you don’t even have the words for it yet.

I am here to listen. I am here to guide. And together, we can find a way toward healing that works for you.

Laurian Ward
Counselling Psychologist | East of Pretoria | laurianw@absamail.co.za

If this resonates, you’re welcome to reach out, even if you don’t know what to say yet.

06/02/2026

As a parent, it’s not always easy to know when to say “no” and when to support your child. I’m Laurian Ward, Counselling Psychologist in the east of Pretoria. I work with parents—alone or as couples—to build practical strategies for raising resilient, capable children. Book a session today and start shaping your child’s future.

New moms with young children—your choices today literally build your child’s brain for their teenage years and adulthood. That toddler tantrum you face now? It’s training ground for future resilience. South Africa’s parenting trend toward instant “yes” is creating teens who struggle when reality hits—68% of parents describe their teens as “spoiled” and unable to handle “no.”

Why “No” Today Creates Strong Teens Tomorrow!!!

Brain science for new moms: when children earn rewards (chore → screen time), their prefrontal cortex—the “adult brain”—grows 22% thicker than kids who get instant treats. The famous Marshmallow Test proves it: children who waited 15 minutes at age 4 became adults with 41% college graduation rates versus 18% for instant gratification kids, 32% lower divorce rates, and 28% higher earnings.

Instant-yes parenting overstimulates addiction pathways (+47% vulnerability) and stress centers (+39% frustration weakness).

Start building resilience today—practice the power of “no” and watch your child grow into a strong, capable adult.

https://psychologistpretoriaeast.co.za/discipline-vs-entitlement-shaping-reality-ready-teens-from-today/

26/01/2026

Healing your nervous system isn’t just about “feeling better.” It’s about reclaiming your presence.

When your nervous system is supported, you become less driven by constant threats and rewards, and more able to:
• Stay present in the moment
• Reflect with clarity
• Be emotionally available—for yourself and others

True resilience comes from inner balance, not from pushing through or numbing out. Start small, notice your body, and give yourself permission to slow down.

24/01/2026

One of the most powerful shifts in therapy happens when clients first regulate their nervous system.

Suddenly, their capacity for insight, emotional processing, and self-understanding expands.

Healing doesn’t start with answers, it starts with feeling safe in the body.

19/01/2026

This reflection is not about fixing what is broken. It is about seeing clearly. When we pause to observe our inner world, we begin to recognise patterns – where we disconnect, where we over-give, where we protect ourselves, and where we are quietly asking for more. Awareness creates choice. And choice is where change begins.

The year ahead is shaped not by force, but by where we place our attention - and how safely we can remain with ourselves as we grow.

12/01/2026

January is also a time when many people reflect on the year that has passed. This reflection can bring grief, disappointment, or a sense of unfinished business. Rather than rushing to “fix” these feelings, therapy invites curiosity. What did your nervous system survive last year? What did it learn? What does it need now?

What did your nervous system survive last year? What did it learn? What does it need now?

05/01/2026

As we step into 2026, many of us feel the pressure to "hit the ground running," yet the true foundation of a successful year is a resilient and balanced mind. At Laurian Ward Counselling Psychologist, our focus this January is on intentional mental wellness—moving away from overwhelming resolutions and toward sustainable, compassionate self-care.

If you are entering January feeling ill-equipped or overwhelmed by the year ahead, please know that you don't have to carry that weight alone. This month, my practice is shifting the focus away from the pressure of "resolutions" and toward something more vital: grounding yourself. We will work on building a toolkit for emotional stamina, managing the post-holiday transition, and finding your pace in a world that often demands too much, too soon. 🌿

My goal is to help you feel steady and prepared for the months ahead, regardless of how you’ve started them. If you’re ready to talk, I’m here to listen.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year!!! As we step into a new year, I want to thank you for the trust you placed in me during the past year. It has been a privilege to walk alongside you in your growth, healing, and self-discovery.

May the year ahead bring you steadiness, clarity, and moments of peace, even in the midst of change. I look forward to continuing our work together in the year to come. Greetings Laurian Ward.

22/12/2025

Mindfulness and the Holiday Season.

December has a way of amplifying everything. stress, expectations, loneliness, overstimulation, and even old family wounds we thought were long healed. This is where mindfulness becomes essential, not optional.

Mindfulness can be:

A shield that protects you from absorbing everyone else’s emotions, opinions, and chaos.
A compass that keeps you grounded in your values, rather than pulling you back into old roles and patterns.

Being mindful during the holidays doesn’t mean forcing joy or pretending everything is fine. It means pausing before reacting, choosing presence over performance, and allowing yourself to respond instead of react.

This season, remember: peace isn’t something the holidays give you, it’s something you practice within yourself.

https://psychologistpretoriaeast.co.za/mindfulness-mental-health/

19/12/2025

The Dark Side of the Holiday Season 🎄

Family gatherings can bring warmth and old triggers. You can’t control the personalities in your family system, but you can regulate your own nervous system.

Pause before reacting.
Notice what sets you off.
Take breaks.
Offer grace. Everyone is carrying more than they show.
Set boundaries without explosions.

Bring something meaningful to the table: patience, humor, generosity, and presence.

Legacy over ego. One day, not everyone at that table will still be there. What remains is the emotional footprint you leave behind—your tone, your kindness, your restraint.

Make the moment better, not bitter.
Celebrate differences.
Create the atmosphere you wish existed.

This holiday season, choose sanity. Choose regulation. Choose legacy.

Navigating Family, Triggers & the Masks We Wear This Holiday Season The holidays are marketed as soft lights, perfect families, and effortless togetherness. But any psychologist—or any honest human—knows the truth: every family is a system built from multiple histories, different homes, unspoken...