ABOUT ME
Welcome to Kenosis Counseling
I’m Donna, and I’m honored to journey alongside individuals, couples, and families seeking healing, growth, and renewed hope.
At Kenosis Counseling, I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can be heard, supported, and equipped to move forward. Whether you are navigating personal challenges, relationship struggles, or simply seeking deeper personal growth, I am here to walk with you — in person or online — with care, understanding, and professional guidance.
Experience
I bring a unique blend of real-world and clinical experience to my counseling practice.
Before entering the counseling field full-time, I spent over 20 years in the corporate world, working in project management and senior administrative roles. This background has given me a practical understanding of the pressures and stresses individuals often face both personally and professionally.
Before entering the counseling field full-time, I spent over 20 years in the corporate world, working in project management and senior administrative roles. This background has given me a practical understanding of the pressures and stresses individuals often face both personally and professionally.
For seven years, I dedicated my time to serving low-income communities, partnering with the Department of Social Development to support youth empowerment programs and oversee community initiatives like soup kitchens. I also volunteered with the South African Police Service for two years, serving as a counselor with the Victim Support Unit, providing care to individuals in crisis situations.
Through a scholarship opportunity, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology at Clarks Summit University (USA), where I was honored to be nominated for the Alpha Gamma Epsilon Award in recognition of consistent academic achievement. I then completed my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at Cairn University.
My qualifications have been SAQA evaluated and certified at NQF Level 9, ensuring that my international training is fully recognized within South Africa.
My qualifications have been SAQA evaluated and certified at NQF Level 9, ensuring that my international training is fully recognized within South Africa.
After returning home, I established Kenosis Counseling — a practice committed to offering individual and marriage counseling services, both face-to-face and online, rooted in empathy, evidence-based practice, and a deep respect for each person’s unique journey.
Philosophy of Care
I take an holistic approach to counseling. This perspective considers all dimensions of the client’s life and how they interrelate. These include the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of the client’s life. In a personal evaluation of the various models of psychology I have concluded that biblically based therapy is the most effective holistic approach. This therapy is based upon principles from the Bible and adheres to a Christian worldview. Although this is a preferred approach, the client will determine their comfortability and it is not mandatory should they choose otherwise.
Qualifications & Professional Bodies
- MSc Counseling Psychology (Cairn University – Pennsylvania,USA )
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BSc Counseling Psychology (Clarks Summit University – Pennsylvania USA)
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SAQA Certified NQF 9
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Facilitator for Prepare + Enrich Marriage (USA)
- Psychological Society of South AFrica (PsySSA)
** Currently going through HPCSA process
Donna Oakes