Avri Spilka

Avri Spilka Avri Spilka is a Counselling Psychologist with a special interest in sexual wellbeing and sexual, gender and relationship diversity

I’m a Johannesburg based Counselling Psychologist. I’m registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (PS 0141003) and the Board of Health Care Funders (PR 0776343). I run a private practice based in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I see individuals, couples and throuples for sex, gender and relationship therapy. Before qualifying as a Psychologist, I worked as a psychosexual consultant for many years in the Southern African NGO sector. During this rewarding time, I was involved in outreach, education, research, and activism with sexual, gender and relationship minorities as well as in a harm reduction programme for people who use and inject drugs. I subsequently obtained my Masters in Community-Based Counselling Psychology from Wits University and completed my practical training at the Emthonjeni Centre and Family Life Centre in Johannesburg where I conducted individual, relationship and family therapy with adults and children. I also worked part-time at a drug rehab centre providing individual, group and family therapy for people who struggle with addiction as well as their loved ones. During my journey I was struck by the need for sex positive, informed and accepting therapists and this is what I aim to be. I believe people should have access to a variety of non-judgemental and informed practitioners. To this end I assist the continued professional development of sexual health practitioners in my role as President of the Southern African Sexual Health Association. To enhance public knowledge and awareness of sexual, gender and relationship diversity I have appeared on TV, radio, podcasts, in print and at events.

11/07/2025
04/06/2025
There's an interesting 'constellation' of body concerns that can (but not always) co-occur in people who are neurodiverg...
01/06/2025

There's an interesting 'constellation' of body concerns that can (but not always) co-occur in people who are neurodivergent. Here is some info on Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder.

18/04/2025
This is beautiful
30/03/2025

This is beautiful

In Japan where I live, abortion is viewed in a different way. Here many people believe the spirits of the unborn have countless opportunities to incarnate, and so if a mother chooses not to give birth it doesn't mean the spirit can't try again. The view that the unborn are spiritual beings that deserve our love and respect is shared, but women who have abortions are spiritual beings as well, and it is their right to choose.

Even knowing this, many women will feel guilt or regret for their decision. So, if you go to cemeteries near temples one often sees statues of Jizo Bodhisattvas with hats or scarves, some holding infants in their arms (like in this photo) symbolizing infants who died and/or unborn spirits aborted or miscarried.

Women and parents will come to grieve and pray, ask for forgiveness, wish for the future happiness and return of the unborn spirit that had wanted to incarnate.

I've heard some Westerners say that the Japanese use abortion as a form of birth control. I don't think that is true at all. Most that I know take pregancy very very seriously. To have an abortion is a tragedy. But it's also a part of the cosmic cycling of spirit from life to life. In Eastern spiritual traditions, death is viewed differently, not as final. And life is deeply cherished. To some Westerners this may seem paradoxical.

~Christopher Chase

Image: Jizo Bodhisattva statue (Protector Of Children And Travelers) https://tankenjapan.com/jizo-statues-in-japan-protectors-of-children-and-travelers/

The Way of Zen – Wisdom, Compassion & Mindfulness https://creativesystemsthinking.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/the-way-of-zen-wisdom-compassion-mindfulness/

15/03/2025
This can be true of any diagnosis
03/09/2024

This can be true of any diagnosis

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Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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