Open Sky Counselling

04/03/2026

There is no need to be perfect. We assume a lot of the time that people have got it all together.

Have you ever considered that they may just be wearing the mask of perfectionism?

Nobody is perfect and a lot of the time, people pretend.

I say, just be honest. If you are struggling, SPEAK UP!

You will probably be surprised at the amount of people that may just be able to relate and understand.

www.shelleyvermaak.co.za

03/03/2026

Grief does not arrive gently.
It does not wait until you are prepared.
It does not check your calendar.
It does not ask whether your heart feels strong enough.
It simply comes.

Sometimes grief is loud — tears that will not stop, a wave that crashes without warning.

Sometimes it is quiet — a heaviness in the chest, a silence at the dinner table, an ache where someone used to be.

Grief changes the temperature of everything.
Ordinary moments can suddenly feel fragile.
Memories can feel both comforting and unbearable at the same time.

There is no correct way to grieve.
There is no timeline you must follow.
There is no standard you must meet.
Grief is not a problem to solve.
It is an experience to move through.

And slowly — often more slowly than we would like — something shifts.
You do not “get over” grief.
You grow around it.
You learn how to carry it.
You learn when to rest.
You learn that love and pain can exist in the same space.

If you are grieving, be gentle with yourself.
Healing does not mean forgetting.
It means learning to breathe again — even with the weight.

And you do not have to do that alone.
— Shelley Vermaak
Open Sky Counselling
www.shelleyvermaak.co.za⁠

26/02/2026

Remember that resentment isn’t static; it’s a growing force, much like weeds that can suffocate your beliefs about yourself and your identity. Speak up! Sometimes, it only takes one final word or action to end a relationship.

22/02/2026

Some of us communicate well, some of us stumble on what we have to say, some of us have trouble in getting across what we REALLY want to say, we make mistakes in how we communicate, giving everyone the wrong idea. The message given is not the message recieved.

21/02/2026

Please take note of the following content. Really felt like I have to post this.

As much as AI platforms are really convenient to have and to use (it helps me a lot and saves me a huge amount of time).

Its important to see how it can be used in a completely negative way. Not being dramatic or anything but it has the ability to destroy if put in the wrong hands.

20/02/2026

Communication in relationships is not always about being right....It is about feeling heard, safe and connected.

Small shifts can soften longstanding patterns.

17/02/2026

Gaslighting is a serious form of manipulation where somebody makes you doubt your reality. You will often end up wondering 🤔 "am I crazy? am I losing my mind?" It's not always that easy but you need to call the person out on their behavior. Make them understand that you know what they are doing. #

13/02/2026

02/02/2026

Self - Sabotage!

Most of us don't realize that we are sabotaging ourselves, thinking that the light at the end of the tunnel is the train coming to hit us.

MAYBE THAT IS NOT THE CASE AND THE LIGHT IS THE WAY OUT?

We carry guilt and think therefore we should be punished.

Because we carry blame, we think that we should be burdened.

Because we feel shame (thinking that there is something inherently wrong with us) we don't speak out, we stay silent.

We feel unloved and therefore we fall into the trap of perfectionism.

We feel broken inside, but need to put on the mask of being fine. "I am fine.……I don't need help"

We feel imperfect, so now we need to find someone to copy and imitate.

01/02/2026

My name is Shelley, you can contact me on 083 878 0861, whats app is a better option. I am a supportive counsellor that is capable of assisting with many life struggles.

Sessions can be online or in person. Please note that young children cannot have online sessions, their sessions must be in person.

I can help you to overcome daily life struggles, management of anger and emotions, I assist couples for relationship therapy. I deal with trauma and am capable of doing trauma debriefings as well. I love working with teens. I am able to also assist with substance abuse issues and am also able to help families with a family member trying to maintain sobriety. I have also got a large amount of experience assisting persons who are being or have been abused. I can assist with bereavement and the process of grief.

For much more detailed information please go to my website www.shelleyvermaak.co.za.

All sessions are confidential. You will find that i offer a safe space and that my fees are not over the top. All ethical standards and practices are adhered to.

I look forward to assisting you on your journey to wholeness.