PSYCHOLOGIST

LYNN KERCHHOFF

COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST

Clinical Practice

Lynn's clinical practice provides support for domestic and work-related issues.

Individual, couple, family and group services include:

Anxiety disorders, bereavement, chronic pain management, career counselling, relationship problems, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, exam preparation, self-esteem issues, behavioural and emotional problems impacting on family, school and work, sexual health among a range of issues.

Work services include:

Counselling for burnout, stress, work-life balance, on-site trauma debriefing, inter-personal issues, assertiveness training, time management, anger management and conflict resolution and team-building

Lynn utilises an individualised multi-modal and multi-disciplinary approach.

CONTACT ME

TEL: + 27 (0)11 463-8330

EMAIL: counsellingworx@offnicol.co.za

WEB: www.counsellingworx.co.za

About Lynn

Lynn Kerchhoff

BA (UWC), BA Hons (UWC), MPsych (UWC)

After more than 10 years in the corporate environment, I quit my job and became a full-time student to complete my MPsych degree. After completing my internship, I was fortunate to enter into private practice almost immediately. However, I was not content with just private practice work – psychologists I believe have much more to offer society. So, for the past seven years I juggled lecturing at the University of the Western Cape, consulting with athletes and teams and psychotherapy with patients.

These diverse environments offered me the opportunity to apply theoretical and clinical interventions and share my love of psychology with a very broad spectrum of people. In my clinical work with patients I adopt a biopsychosocial approach and tailor interventions to meet the needs of the client.

My work with patients is based on the philosophy that humans are resilient and with appropriate support can bounce back from adversity.

Outside of the ‘office’ I am a wife and mother who enjoys hiking, swimming in the ocean, gym, reading and meeting new people.

I am therefore very excited to be joining the multi-disciplinary team at the Off-Nicol practice and ensuring that patient’s mental health and wellbeing is treated with the highest level of professionalism.

After working as a counselling psychologist in the Western Cape, Lynn has relocated to Off Nicol where she will combine consulting in traditional psychotherapy with intervention models aimed at helping athletes and teams improve performance.

What is Sports Psychology?

The scientific study of people and their behaviours in sport and exercise contexts and the practical application of that knowledge (Gill, 2000).

Why should you see a Sports Psychologist?

While attention is given to the technical and physical aspects of an athlete’s development, very little, or no attention is given to the development of the mental skills required.

What is Mental/Psychological Skills Training?

Mental skills training has developed from the necessity of the athlete to learn more about their individual mental life….to learn how to control mental and emotional elements and thereby assist performance (Martens, 1987; Rushall, 1992).

Techniques commonly used include: mental rehearsal, mental imagery, visualisation, progressive muscle relaxation.

What does it take to be a champion?

"Talent comes to mind. However, in sport today talent is simply not enough. In sport, as in other areas of life, personal characteristics and mental qualities can make the difference between greatness and mediocrity" (Calder, 2012).

Sports Psychology Interventions

Lynn's interventions for athletes, teams and coaches include:

Performance anxiety
Distraction control
Visualisation skills
Team cohesion
Rehabilitation and re-entry
Motivation
Communciation styles and skills
Assessing work ethic
Bouncing back after (game) loss
Substance use and abuse
Eating disorders

Workshops

Communication styles and skills workshops
Mental skills training (managing performance anxiety, distraction control, mental rehearsal, visualisation skills, etc)
Motivation – understanding how and what motivates individuals
Psychosocial skills training to manage substance use and abuse among athletes
Psychosocial skills training to manage eating disorders amongst athletes.
Team cohesion