Carly's Couch

Carly's Couch Psychology Practice and Blog: A Safe Space to Talk Welcome to Carly’s Couch, a clinical psychology practice based in Cape Town, South Africa.

26/03/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about diagnosis is this:
“If you give people a label, they’ll just use it as an excuse.”
But that’s not what I see in my practice.
When women receive an ADHD diagnosis — especially later in life — it’s rarely, “Great, now I can avoid responsibility.”
It’s more like, “Oh… I’m not broken. There’s a reason this has been so hard.”
Diagnosis, when used well, doesn’t remove accountability.
It removes shame.
It’s not:
“I have ADHD, so I can’t try.”
It’s:
“I have ADHD, so I need different systems, more support, and more compassion for myself.”
Most of the women I work with have spent years overcompensating, masking, blaming themselves, and trying harder than anyone realizes. Hearing their experience reflected in the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders doesn’t make them careless — it makes them kinder to themselves.
And self-compassion isn’t indulgence.
It’s what allows real growth to happen.
If you’ve ever wondered whether diagnosis empowers people or enables them, this episode is for you.
🎧 Full episode — link in my bio.

16/03/2026

New Episode 🎙️
Diagnosis: What it means, why it matters, and when it helps
Recording this while driving to work… because mom life doesn’t pause. 🚗💛
Today I’m talking about diagnosis — not just the labels in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) like depression, anxiety, bipolar, or ADHD — but what it actually means for real people living real lives.
For so many women, especially those who’ve been told they’re “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or “too much”… hearing “you’re not difficult — you’re struggling” can be life-changing.
A diagnosis isn’t about putting you in a box.
It’s about giving language to your experience.
It’s about validation.
It’s about self-compassion.
When it helps, it helps us build support — not shame.
When it resonates, it feels like relief.
If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re feeling is “real enough” to deserve help — this episode is for you.
🎧 Full episode — link in my bio.

02/03/2026

Caption for “Going Completely Offline”
Loneliness, leadership, and the power of wilderness: Finding connection with Julie Robinson
Loneliness is something I see come up again and again—especially in leaders, high performers, and people who feel like they always have to “hold it together.”
In this conversation, I sit down with organizational psychologist Julie Robinson, founder of InVenture, to explore what happens when we step away from the noise and return to ourselves. 🌿
Julie creates immersive wilderness experiences in the Karoo where participants go fully offline for five days—no phones, no watches, no distractions. Just breath, nature, and the space to actually feel.
We talk about disconnection, adult loneliness, men’s mental health, and why being held in safe, grounded spaces is more powerful than we realize.
If you’ve been feeling stretched, isolated, or disconnected from who you are beneath the roles you carry—this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation — link in bio.

26/01/2026

You don’t need harsher goals this New Year — you need kinder ones.
In this episode, I talk about why the way you talk to yourself while chasing goals matters more than the goals themselves. If your resolutions start by judging who you used to be, you’re already setting yourself up for shame. Growth isn’t linear, and you don’t have to prove your worth by “doing better.”
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t tell a kid their kindergarten self was a failure. So why do it to yourself? You’re already worthy — right now.
🎧 Click the link in my bio to listen to the full episode:
“Setting goals without shaming yourself this New Year”
✨ If this resonates, you might also love my workshops:
Oh Baby, WTF 👉 https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/product/oh-baby-wtf/
Ready, Steady, Baby 👉 https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/product/ready-steady-baby/
#ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ

20/01/2026

So many women in their 40s and 50s walk into a doctor’s office with ‘random’ symptoms — anxiety, low mood, brain fog, dryness, hot flashes — and walk out with one label: depression.
But what if it’s not ‘out of nowhere’?
What if it’s perimenopause? Hormones? A body asking to be understood, not dismissed?
In this episode, Dr. Tarryn Kawalsky shares how often women’s real experiences are overlooked, misdiagnosed, or minimized — and why it breaks her heart to see women not being fully heard.
If you’ve ever felt like your symptoms were brushed off or didn’t quite make sense, this conversation is for you.
🎧 Watch the full episode — link in bio.”

12/01/2026

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE IS LIVE
Why are women taught to tolerate pain instead of being treated for it? 🤍
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Tarryn Kawalsky—GP and co-founder of The Ovarian Club—to unpack why conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and menopause are still so misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and dismissed.
We talk about the shocking gaps in women’s healthcare:
✨ Painful periods being normalized
✨ Perimenopause symptoms mistaken for anxiety or depression
✨ Women excluded from clinical trials until the 1990s
✨ Being told “everything looks normal” when your body says otherwise
Dr. Tarryn shares why she had to unlearn male-centric medical training, why listening matters more than lab results alone, and why women deserve care that actually reflects their lived experience.
This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt unheard, gaslit, or told to just “push through” your symptoms. Your body is yours—and you know it best.
🎧🎥 Listen & watch the full episode — link in bio

02/01/2026

✨ New Podcast Episode is Live! ✨
Fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual—and for many dads, it begins fragile, uncertain, and deeply human. 🤍
In this episode, “The Fragile Embryo of Fatherhood,” I sit down with Terrance Mentor () to talk about building a new generation of dads—breaking cycles, showing up emotionally, and redefining what it truly means to be present for our children.
Whether you’re a dad, a mom, a parent-to-be, or someone healing from their own childhood, this conversation is honest, powerful, and necessary.
🎧 Listen to the full episode — link in bio

16/12/2025

Fatherhood is fragile. 💛
Like an embryo—tender, powerful, and so easily affected.

In this episode, Terrance Mentor (AfroDaddy) reminds us that so many dads are trying to show up differently than the generation before them… without a roadmap. We’re learning in real time, loving loudly, and sometimes stumbling—together.

When fathers are emotionally present, everyone wins.
When dads feel seen and included, families grow stronger.
And when a child runs into your arms yelling “dadda”? That’s everything.

This conversation is about why fatherhood matters, not just how to do it. It’s about making space for dads to talk, to try, to flex their fatherhood proudly—without fear of getting it wrong.

If you’re a parent, love a parent, or are healing from how you were parented… this one will meet you where you are. 🤍
🎧 Listen to the full episode now (link in my bio).

28/11/2025

In our latest episode, “Sexual health as a missing pillar of wellbeing with Catriona Boffard,” we explore the power of giving yourself permission. 🌟 It’s about understanding that it’s okay to want or not want certain things, and that there’s no shame in your feelings. Embrace your unique journey and know that you don’t have to conform to anyone else’s expectations. Listen to the full episode on our channels and find the link in our bio.

13/11/2025

Join us in ‘The Village We Build’ as Kirsty Melmed unveils the transformative power of community meetups. 🌿 Each month, mothers gather to share wisdom, listen, and learn in a co-creative space where every voice matters. It’s not just about the topics we discuss, but the way we engage—everyone is an expert in their own right. This episode explores the healing magic of being seen, heard, and validated. Dive into this enriching conversation and discover how to build your own supportive village. Listen to the full episode now! Link in bio.

07/11/2025

In our latest episode, Kristy Melmed dives deep into the heart of motherhood, revealing the power of making the invisible visible. 🌿 Discover how listing your daily mental load can transform your partnership and foster a supportive environment. Kristy shares practical steps to communicate effectively, ensuring conversations happen at the right time and focus on collaboration rather than blame. This episode is a heartfelt guide for every parent seeking to build a nurturing village. Listen to the full episode now! Link in bio.

23/10/2025

🎙️ This week on “On the Couch with Carly,” we welcome the incredible Zakeeya Patel, who opens up about the profound transformation of motherhood. From the highs of joy to the depths of self-discovery, Zakeeya shares her journey with raw honesty and humor. Join us as we explore the paradoxes of becoming a mother, the societal expectations, and the personal revolutions that come with it. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the beautiful chaos of parenthood. . Tune in and be inspired! 🎧 Check the link in my bio to watch the full episode!

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14a Bel Ombre Drive
Cape Town
7806

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 20:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 20:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 20:30
Thursday 09:00 - 20:30
Friday 09:00 - 20:30

Telephone

+27712287084

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