Grow with The Authentic Project
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We’re so glad you’ve taken this step toward your mental well-being.
You’re investing in yourself, and that’s something to be proud of. This is a space for healing, growth, and genuine connection- we’re here with you every step of the way.
The Authentic Project is a multidisciplinary group that aims to provide mental health services at all levels. Mentored and supervised by exceptional occupational therapists and psychologists, we strive to provide services to neurodiverse children, individuals, parents, teachers and several other groups within society.
This is also a platform for upcoming mental health workers to display their services.
Our goal is to deliver Wellness Counselling sessions to individuals/groups who are seeking to improve their mental well-being and provide Individualized Developmental and Behavioural Support to neurodiverse children- in order to increase their personal growth and capacities.
We pride ourselves in contributing to mental health awareness within all populations.
We do this by creating content or by developing programmes using a community-based approach.
This is also a platform for upcoming mental health workers to display their services. This will aid in creating job opportunities for psychology (Hon) students, as well as increase the accessibility of mental health services to the general population.
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Instructions
Gather your mistakes, rinse them with honesty and self-reflection,
let dry until you can see every choice and the regret becomes brittle,
cover the entire surface in forgiveness,
remind yourself that you are human
and this too is a gift.
(Rudy Francisco)
Our
Story.
Our story began the way most good ones do unexpectedly. The Authentic Project wasn’t born in a boardroom with buzzwords and business plans; it sprouted organically from shared passion, mutual respect, and more than a few late-night conversations about how mental health care could be done differently-and better.
Some of us started as colleagues, learning the ropes together and discovering that teamwork in therapy extends far beyond the treatment room. Others met along the winding journey of our master’s studies, bonding over caffeine, case studies, and the occasional existential crisis. A few crossed paths later still, through professional courses and workshops, where one meaningful discussion led to another, and before long, the idea of creating something authentic began to take root.
Each of us brought our own expertise and energy: developmental and behavioral instructor with a flair for creativity, counsellors grounded in empathy, and community mental health practitioners who understand that humour can be just as healing as honesty. Together, we discovered a shared philosophy, that mental health support should be human, inclusive, and rooted in genuine connection.
The Authentic Project became our collective answer to the question, “What if we could do more-together?” What began as a small network of like-minded professionals has grown- like a thriving plant nourished by care and collaboration, into a multidisciplinary hub for mental wellness, personal growth, and community empowerment.
We continue to grow together, our roots intertwined by purpose, passion, and the belief that authentic connection can help people, and practitioners.
Jamie Bhana
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
reg. ASCHP
I believe that when we practice compassion,
we can support the people around us.
Compassion takes empathy one step further because it harbors a desire for all people to be free from suffering, and it's imbued with a desire to help.
This means that, within the counselling space, I will approach you with openness and understanding. This will allow for the exploration of your personal experiences and the creation of a non-judgmental, relatable environment, filled with acceptance and empathy. In this space you will be acknowledged, and recognize that you deserve to be seen, heard and cared for within a safe space.
My qualifications and experiences listed have sharpened my innate capacities to manage and observe behaviours, feelings and thoughts. These abilities aid me to create a constructive, capacity-building counselling space using various counselling techniques, creatively formulate interventions and last but not least, build awareness within the field of psychology.
=27 71 363 2467
BSoSoci (Hon) Psychology (UP)
MSocSci compl. Community mental health promotion (SACAP)
Merise Marsh
Psychometrist
reg. HPCSA
BA-Psychology and Communication Science (Varsity College)
BSocSci (Hon) Psychology
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
I'm a Psychology Honours graduate with a specialization in Practical Psychometry, combining a strong academic background with practical experience in administering a variety of psychological assessments—including the DAT (Forms R, S, K, L), 16PF, 15PF, VS, SAVII, MCM, CIP, SSHA, SSAIS-R, JSAIS, and CPP. During my internship at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, I gained hands-on exposure to real-world psychometric testing and supported psychological evaluations for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
While completing my BA degree, I worked part-time as a library assistant and waitress, which helped me develop resilience, time management, and strong interpersonal skills. I'm passionate about contributing to environments that support personal growth, career development, and data-driven decision-making.
I'm always open to new opportunities and love to connect with professionals or organizations interested in meaningful psychological insight and practical human development.
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Tracey Dutlow
Developmental and Behavioural Support Instructor
079 727 9496
BA (Hon) Psychology (CORNERSTONE)
MSocSci compl. Community mental health promotion (SACA)
From a young age, my deep regard for others and my intrinsic motivation to understand the underlying factors that drive human behaviour led me to pursue a career in psychology. Through this journey, I have come to recognize empathy as a central driver in fostering meaningful connections and understanding. I furthered my studies after completing my undergraduate degree, achieving honours with distinction, and am currently pursuing a Master's in Mental Health Promotion and Community Psychology.
My academic focus in community psychology has strengthened my passion for working within disadvantaged communities, particularly those similar to my own, with the goal of empowering individuals and challenging destructive generational
narratives. This passion has been reflected in my practical experience, where I have worked extensively with children and adolescents across various
I strive to understand behaviour rather than seek to be understood, allowing me to navigate complex environments with efficacy. I believe that through the integration of empathy, patience, purpose, and collaborative teamwork, we can overcome even the most challenging obstacles in society.
Cameron Williams
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
reg. ASCHP
+27 83 788 2630
BA (Hon) Psychology (UWC)
I am a compassionate and empathetic individual who approaches counselling with genuine care, curiosity, and respect for the unique experiences of others. Human connection lies at the heart of my practice; I find deep meaning in engaging with people, listening to their stories, and understanding the contexts that shape their lives. Whether the conversations are centred on profound life changes or seemingly everyday challenges, I believe that each interaction holds potential for insight, healing, and growth.
complexities.
Spending time outdoors, through hiking, golf, or football, reminds me of the importance of balance, movement, and presence- principles I also integrate into my therapeutic perspective.
Nature offers a grounding metaphor for growth and resilience: just as the environment adapts and renews, individuals too can find restoration through mindful awareness and connection.
Ultimately, compassion, empathy, and optimism form the foundation of my counselling approach. They guide how I listen, support, and empower clients to explore their experiences and cultivate well-being. My aim is to create a warm, non-judgmental space where people feel seen, heard, and encouraged to discover their own capacity for change.
From a young age, my deep regard for others and my intrinsic motivation to understand the underlying factors that drive human behaviour led me to pursue a career in psychology. Through this journey, I have come to recognize empathy as a central driver in fostering meaningful connections and understanding. I furthered my studies after completing my undergraduate degree, achieving honours with distinction, and am currently pursuing a Master's in Mental Health Promotion and Community Psychology.
My academic focus in community psychology has strengthened my passion for working within disadvantaged communities, particularly those similar to my own, with the goal of empowering individuals and challenging destructive generational
narratives. This passion has been reflected in my practical experience, where I have worked extensively with children and adolescents across various
I strive to understand behaviour rather than seek to be understood, allowing me to navigate complex environments with efficacy. I believe that through the integration of empathy, patience, purpose, and collaborative teamwork, we can overcome even the most challenging obstacles in society.
Camryn Morriss
063 325 6567
Our Services
Specialist Wellness Counselling
Our approach to counselling is a holistic, systems and person-centered approach to counselling that focuses on promoting overall well-being- emotional, mental, physical, social. Our aim is to unpack our clients’ personal strengths and areas of development. In this way we may reinforce strengths and equip clients with the necessary tools to manage and/or see to areas of development to increase self-awareness, regulation and the ability to work through everyday life stressors.
Techniques Used May Include:
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Integrative counselling techniques
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Cognitive-behavioral tools (CBT)
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Mindfulness and meditation
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Strengths-based approaches
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Psychoeducation about wellness
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Self-care
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Goal setting and values exploration
Developmental & Behavioural Support for Neurodiverse Children
Individualized developmental and behavioral support is a tailored approach we make use of to help neurodiverse children grow, learn, and thrive by meeting their unique needs, strengths, and challenges rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. It is an approach that is widely used in education, mental health, and developmental care.
Individualization
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Support is designed around the child’s abilities, preferences, family/cultural context, and goals.
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Interventions are flexible and change as the child grows or as new needs arise.
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Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Developmental Support
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Focuses on skills needed for everyday life, such as communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and independence.
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Often guided by developmental milestones but adjusted to the child’s pace.
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Example: Helping a child with delayed speech through play-based language activities, or supporting a child in building executive functioning skills.
Behavioral Support
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Focuses on understanding why behaviors happen (function of behavior), followed by integrating functional alternative behaviours, using a positive approach.
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Uses strategies such as reinforcement, modeling, and environmental adjustments to encourage adaptive behaviors.
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Example: Teaching a child to use words or visuals instead of tantrums to express frustration
Community Mental Health Promotion
Within our community-based mental health promotion services our goal is to provide interventions based on communal needs, using various strategies (i.e., social innovation, collaboration, psychology etc.). These interventions are to prevent, mental health problems, reduce stigma, and build supportive environments where people can thrive emotionally, socially, and mentally.
Goals of our Community-Based Mental Health Promotion programmes:
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Raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma
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Prevent mental illness through early intervention and education
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Empower communities to take ownership of their mental well-being
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Build resilience and coping skills in children, youth, and adults
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Improve access to services and support systems
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Create safe, inclusive, and connected environments
Psychometric Assessments
Psychometric assessments are standardised, evidence-based tools used to support psychological understanding and clinical decision-making. In line with HPCSA ethical guidelines, all assessments are administered, scored, and interpreted by appropriately trained and registered professionals, using instruments that are valid, reliable, and suitable for the South African context.
Within our person-centred framework, psychometric assessments are never used in isolation or to define an individual. Rather, they form part of a holistic assessment process that considers personal history, cultural context, strengths, challenges, and lived experience.
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Assessments may be used to explore emotional functioning, behavioural patterns, cognitive processes, developmental profiles, or mental health concerns.
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Findings are integrated with clinical interviews and observations to inform ethical, individualised support and intervention planning.
Packages
Considering a mental health pricing package isn’t just practical- it’s empowering. It gives clients the freedom to focus on growth and healing without worrying about session-by-session costs.
Packages offer value, consistency, and commitment to personal well-being. It’s not just about saving money, it’s about saying yes to yourself and your mental wellness journey with confidence and care.
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to promote mental well-being, support neurodiverse individuals, foster holistic wellness, and raise mental health awareness across diverse communities.
The National Center for Child Protection (NCCP is committed to safeguarding children from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and violence. Their mission is to protect children's rights while promoting their safety and well-being. We strive to create a world where every child can thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. Join us in our efforts to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
Masakhe Foundation
is the charity arm of the New Apostolic Church in Southern Africa. Established in 2013 and registered as an NPC in 2018.
Maskahe meaning, “Let us Build”, fits in with our object of assisting individuals in various communities.
Shaping the next generation of wellness counsellors!
Apply for accredited online counselling courses tailored for those supporting both
youth and adults- promoting emotional wellbeing through education, awareness, and professional skill development.
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Free wellness apps offer accessible, low-cost (often zero cost) tools to support fitness, mindfulness and emotional awareness,
build your understanding of mental health, psychology and who to contact when needed.
Making it easier to build healthy habits without big investments in time or money.
An app accessible to everyone,
no matter their background or experience. Through our flagship Headspace app, we provide mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleepcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises. Our enterprise offerings combine this experience with a human-centered model of care, with coaching, therapy, psychiatry and EAP
services under one roof
Wellness Apps.
Train Strong. Feel Stronger.Build lasting fitness habits with the Nike Training Club app—featuring quick workouts, goal-setting tools, and daily inspiration. Strengthen your body and mind with free coaching from world-class trainers and athletes.
Exercise boosts mood by releasing endorphins and reducing symptoms of ill mental health. It also improves sleep, focus, and overall emotional resilience, supporting long-term mental well-being.
Understand Yourself,
One Feeling at a Time
How We Feel is a free wellness app designed by scientists and psychologists to help you identify your emotions, notice patterns, and build healthier ways to manage how you feel- often in with the guidance of a mental health professional
Upskill Your Mind,
Simplify Your Growth.
Through interactive learning apps, psychoeducation becomes practical and empowering- helping you build awareness, resilience, and real-world skills. Insight into mental wellbeing can assist in developing valuable skills that support your choice in choosing a mental health professional and advocating for mental health policies
Admin Contact Details:
Free 15min Consultation with Your Selected
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
(Whatsapp for an Appropriate Time)
Jamie: ++27 71 363 2467
Camryn Morris: 063 325 6567
Cameron: +27 89 788 2630