Janine van Schalkwyk - Clinical Psychologist

16/10/2025

🌿 Some milestones make you pause, reflect, and feel deeply grateful.

Today marks 2 years since opening the doors to our practice.

What began as a dream to create a safe and compassionate space for healing has grown into a deeply meaningful journey - one built on trust, courage, and human connection.

I am profoundly grateful to every client who has entrusted me with their journey. Your openness, strength, and willingness to show up, even in moments of vulnerability, continue to inspire me every single day. It is an honour to walk alongside you and to witness your growth. 🌿

To the incredible people and colleagues who have crossed my path over these past two years, thank you for the inspiration, support, and the role you have played in shaping this journey. Your kindness, wisdom, and collaboration have left a lasting impact.

A special thank you to my partner and dear friend, Monique Dames Psychology, my confidant, unwavering supporter, and safe place. Your encouragement, patience, and belief in me have carried me through every high and low. You remind me daily of the importance of having a “village”, people who hold space for us, walk alongside us, and help us navigate the complexities of life. Just as in mental health, no journey is meant to be travelled alone. 💛

Here is to continuing this work with the same heart, dedication, and gratitude that started it all.

23/07/2025

Postpartum is not a one-size-fits-all.

For some, it’s sleepless nights and silent tears. For others, it’s joy mixed with confusion, healing mixed with guilt, love mixed with overwhelm. It’s emotional. It's physical. And it’s almost always full of surprises—some beautiful, some brutally hard.

💬 You might feel alone—but you're not.
💬 You might feel different—but you're not broken.
💬 You might feel unprepared—even if you "did everything right."

The truth is: postpartum is different for everyone, and that’s okay. There is no "right" way to experience it. Your journey is valid, your feelings are real, and you deserve support.

Let’s talk about it. Let’s normalize it. Let’s support each other through it. 💛

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17/07/2025

Emotions, like ocean waves, are dynamic, powerful, and often unpredictable. They rise, crest, and fall — sometimes gently, other times with the force of a storm.

“Emotional surfing” is a metaphorical yet psychologically grounded approach to navigating this internal sea. Rather than resisting emotions or becoming overwhelmed, emotional surfing encourages presence, acceptance, and skillful responsiveness. It is not about control but about balance.

Many people are taught from an early age to avoid strong emotions. Cultural scripts say "Don’t cry," "Get over it," or "Stay strong." Others fear that feeling their anger or grief might cause a breakdown or spiral. But paradoxically, it's the resistance to emotion that creates suffering, not the emotion itself. Emotional surfing requires vulnerability — a willingness to feel fully without needing immediate resolution.

Each emotional wave, if ridden with awareness, carries insight. Anger may reveal where your boundaries were crossed. Anxiety might point to uncertainty or the need for preparation. Grief shows love and loss intertwined. Emotional surfing isn’t about bypassing discomfort — it’s about respecting it as part of the human condition.

12/07/2025

On this International Day of Hope, we come together to reaffirm a powerful truth: hope is not passive. It is a force—resilient, enduring, and transformative. In the face of adversity, uncertainty, and injustice, hope gives us the strength to dream, to act, and to build a better future.

Hope is found in the courage of those fighting for peace, in the determination of communities rebuilding after tragedy, and in the voices of young people demanding a more just and sustainable world. It lives in everyday acts of kindness, in the pursuit of truth, and in the belief that change is always possible.

Today, we honor those who carry hope in the darkest of times. We recognize the importance of nurturing this hope in ourselves and in others, especially those who feel unseen or unheard. And we recommit ourselves to creating a world where hope is not a luxury, but a right—accessible to all, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.

Let this day serve as a reminder: even the smallest spark of hope can ignite extraordinary change. Together, let us protect it, amplify it, and carry it forward.

08/07/2025

An ACCEPTANCE MINDSET is not about resignation—it's about recognition. It is the conscious choice to face reality as it is, without denial, judgment, or resistance. It means embracing the present moment, ourselves, and others with compassion, openness, and understanding.

Acceptance does not mean giving up on growth or progress. On the contrary, it lays the foundation for meaningful change. When we accept our limitations, we gain clarity to improve. When we accept others without trying to control or fix them, we create space for genuine connection and empathy.

Cultivating an acceptance mindset allows us to move through life with more peace and less fear. It softens the harsh edges of perfectionism, eases the grip of anxiety, and reminds us that being human is not about being flawless—it’s about being whole.

In a world that often encourages comparison, judgment, and control, choosing acceptance is an act of courage. It empowers us to meet ourselves and others where we are, while still believing in where we can go.

Let us carry this mindset forward—with grace, humility, and the unwavering belief that acceptance is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of healing, growth, and true connection.

19/08/2024

Things that can co-exist 💭

There is an important reality to life - the fact that many things in life can co-exist.

Remember, life is never black and white. Many things can co-exist and that's okay. Embrace the complexities of life and learn from the experiences that come your way. It is important to recognize how these feelings feel and what they are to manage them all effectively.

26/03/2024

"You can't heal what you can't feel."

Do you take a moment to check in with your feelings daily? If so, what do you do after?

Emotional check-ins help you slow down and register how you are feeling. By getting an accurate idea of your feelings, you can be intentional about how you will react to these emotions.

It is tough to acknowledge difficult emotions and sit with discomfort. It is also hard to find the time to do a feelings check.

But it is so important. And, it is so worth it!

19/03/2024

The year has gained momentum and most of us are busy navigating homework and busy afternoon schedules.

Whether you are parenting babies, toddlers, young children or teens - we all get faced with challenging behavior from time to time.

A gentle reminder that investigating:

💟the quality of the relationship and
💟the level of the connection with your child

should always be your starting point when you find disciplining challenging as opposed to only focusing on finding a new tool or skill to control their behavior.

05/03/2024

The light and dark side of Neuroplasticity -

Remember, your brain is constantly changing and adapting - even after reading this, your brain will be different!

✨Be mindful of the things you repetitively do, your thoughts, who you surround yourself with and the experiences you have.

27/02/2024

27/02/2024

When children struggle with anxious thoughts, it can be so hard. Some strategies can help children feel seen, heard and empowered.

Connection, validation, presence and helping children with small, courageous shifts is the start to healing.

15/02/2024

Reflecting on the past is always good, but don't dwell there or overanalyze too much. Embracing the present is where living happens! Envisioning the future can be good for dreaming and setting new intentions, but don't worry about the what-if's or fear the future.

🌱 Where are you living?