Bêne Otto

Bêne Otto is a Counseling Psychologist who completed her professional training in Counseling Psychology at the University of Johannesburg in 2020. Prior to qualifying, she earned an MSc in War and Psychiatry at King’s College London, focusing on the psychological impact of warfare on soldiers and civilians. She also gained valuable experience working at the Priory Hospital in Woking before returning to South Africa to pursue her dream of becoming a psychologist.

Currently, Bêne is pursuing a PhD in Psychology, with a focus on disenfranchised grief, deepening her understanding of the complexity of grief and enhancing her ability to support clients facing profound loss. Trained in various therapeutic modalities including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), person-centred therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), Bêne has also completed training in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and is furthering her expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This has led to the development of an integrative approach where Bêne offers a flexible and personalised approach to therapy, tailoring interventions that address the unique needs and circumstances of each client. Bêne's integrative approach often includes a person-centred perspective, with a focus on attachment history and the therapeutic relationship, and incorporating CBT/DBT coping skills where appropriate. Bêne has experience working with adults and adolescents facing a variety of life challenges such as trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, relationship difficulties, and bereavement to name a few.