Given Leshabane – Registered Counsellor

Given Leshabane is a Registered Counsellor with 13 years of professional experience, passionate about helping people recognise their strengths, unlock their potential and develop the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges.

Throughout her career, Given has gained experience across a range of professional and community-based settings. Before establishing her independent practice, she worked primarily within NGO environments, supporting vulnerable individuals and communities experiencing a broad range of psychosocial challenges, including trauma and HIV & AIDS.

Given also gained valuable experience working alongside Psychiatrists and Neuropsychologists in an HIV research clinic within the Paediatrics Department at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. During this time, she was involved in educational and psychological assessments, which sparked her particular interest in psychological assessments, school readiness and career guidance.

Her approach is centred on creating a supportive and non-judgemental environment where clients can feel heard, understood and empowered to move forward.

Who Given Works With

Given works with children from 6 years of age, adolescents and youth, individuals and families, providing support tailored to each person’s unique circumstances and needs.

Services Offered

• Grief and Bereavement Counselling – Support through loss, grief and the emotional adjustment that follows.

• Trauma Counselling – A safe space to process traumatic experiences and work towards emotional healing.

• Crisis Intervention & Group Debriefing – Support following challenging, distressing or traumatic events, including group-based interventions.

• Lifestyle Challenges – Assistance with recognising and addressing unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as using food or alcohol as a means of escape.

• Life Transitions & Adjustment – Support when navigating significant changes, including receiving a new diagnosis and adjusting to a different way of life.

• School Readiness Assessments – Assessments designed to help understand a child’s readiness for the transition into formal schooling.

• Psychological Assessments – Professional assessments to gain a better understanding of an individual’s cognitive, emotional and psychological needs.

• Career Guidance – Support in exploring strengths, interests and potential career pathways to make informed educational and career decisions.

Given believes that everyone has potential, even during the most difficult seasons of life. Her role is to provide the support, guidance and space needed to help clients discover that potential and move forward with greater understanding and confidence.