Marleen Laubscher Clinical Psychologist

11/09/2025

We don’t have to explain our yeses.
So why do we so often feel the pull — or even the expectation — to explain our nos?

“No” is not rude.
“No” is not selfish.
“No” is a boundary.

And just like any boundary work, it often feels hard at first. Saying no can bring up guilt, fear of rejection, or the worry that others will see us as unkind. But the truth is, learning to say “no” is one of the most powerful ways to protect our energy and honour our limits.

Boundaries are uncomfortable in the beginning — because they are new, not because they are wrong. Over time, they become the foundation for healthier relationships and deeper self-respect.

So remember: No is a complete sentence.
And every time you use it, you’re practicing one of the strongest acts of self-care there is.

28/08/2025

So often, we push through exhaustion, telling ourselves we’ll rest later.
But here’s the truth:

Rest is what turns off your stress response.
Rest is what regulates your nervous system.
Rest is what restores your mind.
Rest is what rejuvenates your body.

When you create space for rest, something shifts. The problems that felt insurmountable suddenly feel manageable. The weight you were carrying feels lighter. Your mind is clearer, your emotions steadier, and your body more energised.

And when we make space for rest, we are not just pausing — we are increasing our resources:

● The energy to show up fully.
● The clarity to make good decisions.
● The steadiness to handle challenges.
● The creativity to imagine new possibilities.

Rest refills what I call our capacity — the internal reserves that help us meet life as it comes. Without it, even small things feel heavy. With it, the mountains that once looked impossible feel climbable.

The truth is, there are 7 types of rest, each nourishing a different part of us: physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social, and spiritual.

Knowing which one you need most right now is the key to feeling truly restored.

✨ You are not “falling behind” when you rest.
You are growing your capacity to live, love, and work with more presence, steadiness, and joy.

21/08/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡-𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

We grow up absorbing all sorts of ideas about therapy—some helpful, some… not so much.

This post is a little myth-busting love letter to the parts of us that worry therapy means we’re broken, weak, or too much.

The truth? Therapy is a space for growth, reflection, and healing—with someone trained to walk beside you as you navigate the hard things.

Swipe through for some common myths and the truths that gently challenge them.
And remember: you don’t have to do it all alone.

06/08/2025

Change doesn’t always feel good at first.

When we start using healthier coping tools — whether it’s breathwork instead of scrolling, journaling instead of yelling, or reaching out instead of shutting down — it can feel… underwhelming.

Not because it’s not working.
But because it’s not what your nervous system is wired to seek for relief… yet.

The body remembers the short-term release of the old habit, even if it wasn’t healthy. That relief loop — even if it came through shutting down, people-pleasing, or overdoing — felt familiar, fast, and effective… for a moment.

Healthier coping often brings slower relief, and that can feel frustrating. But this is the moment to stay the course.

This is rewiring. This is repatterning.

Your nervous system isn’t just learning what to do — it’s learning that it’s safe to feel different.

💭 So if your new habits don’t feel like they’re "working" yet — they are. Keep going. You’re not failing. You’re rewiring.

24/07/2025

Today is International Self-Care Day, and while the internet is filled with quotes and candles, I want to bring it back to what self-care really is.

It’s not just what looks good from the outside.
It’s what actually supports your nervous system, your healing, your wholeness.

Sometimes that’s a walk.
Sometimes it’s boundaries.
Sometimes it’s letting the dishes wait because you need to cry or breathe or rest.

Self-care that’s rooted in awareness, not perfection. That meets you where you are and asks:
👉 “What do I need, and how can I support myself with kindness?”

So today, if you can—pause.
Breathe.
Listen inward.

And if all you do is recognise that you're a human being with needs? That’s enough.

21/07/2025

We know that life doesn’t always leave room for midweek, midday therapy appointments.

That’s why we’re now offering a limited number of weekday sessions after 17:00, as well as Saturday morning slots — to help make therapy more accessible for those with full schedules.

Creating space for support shouldn’t mean rearranging your whole life — and now, it doesn’t have to.

📲 WhatsApp us on 081 223 2262 to find a time that works for you.

04/07/2025

reg·u·late — a word we don’t hear as often as “cope” or “manage,” but one that sits at the very heart of emotional well-being.

To regulate is to tune in. To respond rather than react.
To notice the storm without becoming it.

It's not about always being calm.
It's about learning how to return.

Emotional regulation is a skill — not a personality trait.
And like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.

This is the work we do in therapy.
This is the work of coming home to ourselves.

23/06/2025

𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗳 — 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Anger. Fear. Grief. Sadness. Anxiety.
These emotions are deeply human — but they’re not easy to feel.

Maybe no one taught you how to feel without shutting down.
Maybe you learned to bottle things up, lash out, or numb out, because feeling big emotions didn’t feel safe.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? We often learn to avoid or fight the hard feelings, or we experience them in ways that feel destructive — to ourselves, or to those around us.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵:
All emotions have purpose.
Even the uncomfortable ones. They aren’t flaws or signs that something’s wrong with you — they’re signals from within, asking to be felt, heard, and understood.

► Sometimes the first step is simply noticing — becoming aware of the emotions that rise and how you relate to them.
► Sometimes it’s about unlearning old patterns that no longer serve you, and gently relearning healthier ways to engage with what you feel.

When we expand our capacity to feel the hard stuff, we give those emotions a chance to move through us, instead of overwhelming or controlling us.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀?
✔ Gently naming what you feel, without judgement.
✔ Pausing before reacting — emotions are meant to be felt, not fixed.
✔ Seeking out safe spaces and people who can sit beside you in the storm.
✔ Remembering: You can only learn to regulate an emotion that you allow yourself to feel.

💛 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

17/06/2025

June is Men’s Health Month.
And (believe it or not) mental health is a pretty major part of that.

Because here’s the truth:
Men feel too.
But too often, they’re expected not to.
Not to struggle. Not to talk. Not to feel too much.

The reality?
Men get depressed.
Men get anxious.
Men burn out.
Men carry trauma.

And far too many go through it in silence.

It’s time we normalise this:
- Mental health is health.
- Talking about it isn’t weakness—it’s courage.
- Getting help isn’t failing—it’s taking care of yourself.

You don’t have to carry it alone.
You don’t have to tough it out.
It’s okay to talk.
It’s okay to ask for support.
It’s okay to be human.

Let’s break the stigma. Let’s talk about men’s mental health.

"We repeat what we do not repair" - Mary Beth Keane Book An Appointment About Me I am a Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Swakopmund. I completed my undergraduate and honours studies in South Africa, during which time I worked with a range of community based projects in underdeveloped...

16/06/2025

𝗔𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀
Whether your teen is on a school break or still in class, this is a chance to slow down, reflect, and build inner tools for confidence, connection, and resilience.

𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝘄𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 — 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽!

We’re offering two small, therapeutic support groups — safe spaces guided by a registered mental health professional — where teens can grow, share, and gain lifelong skills:

𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗛 — 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵
A 6-week therapeutic group for teen girls ready to explore identity, strengthen self-esteem, and nurture self-compassion.
- Creative activities, vision boards, guided reflection
- Learn tools to manage peer pressure & negative self-talk

📅 New Start: 1 July 2025 (Tuesdays)
👧 Ages: 14–17
📍 Swakopmund

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗘 — 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 | 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 | 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
A 4-week therapeutic group for teens who want to understand healthy friendships, build boundaries, and feel a true sense of belonging.
- Recognise red flags & green flags in friendships
- Build assertiveness & navigate peer dynamics

📅 New Start: 3 July 2025 (Thursdays)
👥 Ages: 14–17
📍 Swakopmund

💬 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 — 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲.
📞 WhatsApp / Call: 081 223 2262
📧 Email: marleenlaubscherpractice@gmail.com

11/06/2025

Therapy doesn’t always happen on a couch in a quiet office anymore. These days, it can also happen across a screen—from the comfort of your living room, your car during lunch break, or even while sitting on your stoep with a cup of tea.

𝗦𝗼, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆?
Virtual therapy (sometimes called teletherapy or online counselling) is simply therapy conducted via a secure online platform. It allows for a therapeutic connection between client and therapist without needing to be in the same physical space. Sessions can include video calls, phone calls, or even written communication in some cases—depending on what’s safe, accessible, and appropriate.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
While the core of therapy remains the same—support, insight, healing—the format does bring some shifts:

- There’s more flexibility. You can attend sessions from almost anywhere.
- There’s less travel, which means fewer logistical hurdles.
- Some people feel more at ease opening up from their own environment.

Both formats can be deeply meaningful—it really depends on what works for you.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗮?
Namibia’s landscape is vast and beautiful—but also a challenge when it comes to accessing mental health services. Many people live far from towns or cities where psychological care is typically based. Others might face time, financial, or mobility constraints that make regular travel to a practice difficult.

Virtual therapy bridges that gap. It opens up therapeutic support to individuals who may have previously been left out—whether because of location, transport, schedules, or health issues.

It’s not a replacement for connection—it’s a new way of creating it.

At our practice, virtual sessions are one of the ways we aim to meet people where they are—whether that’s in person or across a screen. 🌿

06/06/2025

FLOURISH Therapeutic Support Group— Cultivating Growth, Confidence & Self-Worth 🌸

A 6-week therapeutic support group for teen girls ready to explore who they are — and grow into who they’re becoming.

Flourish is more than just a space to talk. It's a psychology-based group, facilitated by a registered mental health professional, designed to support teens in developing emotional resilience, strengthening their sense of self, and building confidence from the inside out.

Through a blend of psychoeducation, expressive activities, and guided reflection, girls aged 14–17 will:
🌱 Explore their identity and core values
🌷 Build self-esteem and practice self-compassion
🧠 Learn to quiet negative self-talk
💬 Connect with others in a safe, therapeutic space

📍 Swakopmund
📆 Starts 17 June | Tuesdays 15h00–16h30
👧 Ages 14–17 | Limited spaces for focused group connection

💬 Bookings & questions:
📞 WhatsApp/call: 081 223 2262
📧 Email: marleenlaubscherpractice@gmail.com

✨ Let your daughter flourish with the right tools, guidance, and a circle that uplifts.