Services

Welcome - You're in the right place

I'm Maz

I’m a Johannesburg-based, trauma-informed counsellor offering a safe, compassionate space for individuals and couples facing relationship, intimacy, and stress-related challenges. Whether you’re struggling to reconnect, navigating parenting stress, healing from trauma, or dealing with sexuality concerns — I’m here to support you.

As a certified Trauma Release Exercises® and Access Bars® practitioner and specialist in relationship and sexuality counselling, I combine talk therapy with body-based methods to help regulate your nervous system and rebuild emotional safety. This helps you show up more regulated in your relationships and at work.

With professional training in communication (honours), sexology (cum laude), and lived experience as a partner and parent, I bring both insight and empathy to your journey.

You’re here because you’re ready for change or you might even feel broken. Whether it’s in your relationships, your sexuality, or how you handle life’s pressures — you don’t just want quick fixes, you want lasting growth.

I work with professionals and highly motivated individuals who are ready to do the deep, meaningful work it takes to create stronger, more connected relationships — both with themselves and with others.

Areas of Support:

Couples & relationship counselling
Sexuality concerns (low desire, painful sex, compulsive behaviour, sexual self-esteem, oncosexology etc.)
Parenting stress, medical stress, fertility challenges, birth & medical trauma
Communication breakdowns, conflict, pre-marital & divorce transitions
TRE® (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises) for stress, anxiety, and trauma recovery

Access Bars® to support relaxation, release limiting thoughts, and promote a sense of well-being.
Grief, loss, and emotional overwhelm

I work inclusively with all genders and orientations. Let’s begin where you are — and move forward, together.

Whatsapp for a booking: +2764 534 7046

Full rates 2025:

1 Hour: R900

1.5 Hour: R1300

2 Hours: R1730

See INSTAGRAM for my latest news

I abide by the code of conduct of the Council for Sexual Health Professions NPC and am a Category A member (25001)

I am a member of the European Federation of Sexology (EFS)

I am a student member of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM)

Who could benefit from a session with me?

If you are experiencing reactions that remind you of those in the lists below, feel free to discuss these with me and make a booking on whatsapp or email (below)

Condition that can benefit from TRE® work:

Chronic stress and burnout
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and emotional numbness
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
Childhood trauma and developmental trauma
Birth trauma (for both birthing parent and partner)
Chronic pain conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia, migraines, TMJ)
Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders
Sleep disturbances and insomni
Muscular tension and physical tightness
Somatic symptoms with no clear medical cause
Fatigue and exhaustion (including adrenal fatigue)
Vicarious trauma (e.g., therapists, healthcare workers)
Recovery from surgery or medical trauma
Emotional dysregulation or high reactivity
Disconnection from the body or dissociation
Support during grief, loss, or major life transitions
Nervous system dysregulation (e.g., hypervigilance, shutdown)

Condition that can benefit from Sexological work:

💑 Relational & Couple Dynamics

Marital or long-term relationship conflict
Communication breakdown around intimacy or sexual needs
Mismatched libidos or sexual desire discrepancy
Emotional disconnection or relationship dissatisfaction
Infidelity, betrayal, or breaches of trust
Navigating open relationships, polyamory, or ethical non-monogamy
Relationship repair after trauma or crisis

💍 Pre-marital & Relationship Alignment

Premarital counseling with a focus on intimacy, values, and expectations
Discussing sexual compatibility and boundaries before long-term commitment
Navigating differing cultural or religious sexual norms in a relationship
Clarifying needs, boundaries, and emotional safety early on

🌿 Sexual Health & Function

Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or delayed ejaculation
Vaginismus, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), or anorgasmia
Low or absent libido in any gender
Menopause- or postpartum-related sexual challenges
Sexual concerns related to chronic illness or disability
Hormonal or physical changes affecting sexual wellbeing
Sexual Self-esteem

🧠 Psychological & Emotional Aspects of Sexuality

Sexual trauma recovery and reclaiming sexual agency
Body image struggles and their impact on intimacy
Shame, guilt, or anxiety around sexual expression
Healing from religious or cultural sexual conditioning
Compulsive sexual behaviour or porn use concerns
Internalised homophobia, kink shame, or identity-related stress

🌈 Identity & Exploration

LGBTQIA+ support around sexuality and relationships
Gender identity exploration and the impact on intimacy
Support for clients exploring kink, BDSM, or non-traditional expressions of sexuality

🧩 Complex or Overlapping Issues

Intersection of trauma, attachment style, and sexual function
Family-of-origin patterns impacting current relationships
Navigating parenting and intimacy after children
Supporting couples where one partner is neurodivergent or chronically ill
Integrating somatic practices (like TRE) into sexological healing

What to Expect from Our First Session

I recommend a 90-minute first session if possible so we have enough time to explore what’s bringing you in, and start uncovering the deeper patterns behind it. This gives us a solid foundation to map out your healing journey together.

Before we meet, you’ll complete a detailed intake form to help us focus our time where it’s needed most.

My approach is warm, trauma-informed and practical. Real change takes commitment, which means practicing new skills more than just once or twice a month.

TRE Profile: https://treforafrica.com/listing/marizanne-naested/

Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/counselling/marizanne-naested-linden-gt/1506678

*For TRE® work, loose comfortable pants and a water bottle are suggested.

*For counselling: bring a bottle of water - it assists grounding, especially when stressed.

Marizanne Naested

Expert Relationship- and Sexuality Counselling TRE® & Access Bars®

Welcome - You're in the right place

Who could benefit from a session with me?

💑 Relational & Couple Dynamics

💍 Pre-marital & Relationship Alignment

🌿 Sexual Health & Function

🧠 Psychological & Emotional Aspects of Sexuality

🌈 Identity & Exploration

🧩 Complex or Overlapping Issues

Contact Me...

Let’s Connect: Email

Virtual and In-Person Meetings in South Africa or Internationally - Afrikaans & English

57, 7th Street, Linden, JHB, South Africa

By appointment only

Book via Calendly

Sexuality- and Relational Counselling and Trauma Release in English and Afrikaans

Expert Relationship- and Sexuality Counselling TRE® & Access Bars®

Welcome - You're in the right place

Who could benefit from a session with me?

💑 Relational & Couple Dynamics

💍 Pre-marital & Relationship Alignment

🌿 Sexual Health & Function

🧠 Psychological & Emotional Aspects of Sexuality

🌈 Identity & Exploration

🧩 Complex or Overlapping Issues

Contact Me...

Let’s Connect: Email

Virtual and In-Person Meetings in South Africa or Internationally - Afrikaans & English

57, 7th Street, Linden, JHB, South Africa

By appointment only

Book via Calendly

Sexuality- and Relational Counselling and Trauma Release in English and Afrikaans

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