Qualifications: BA SLP (UP), BA Psych Hons (UJ, Cum Laude), MA Clin. Psych (WITS).
Get to Know Miranda Pretorius
Miranda Pretorius is a Clinical Psychologist who has been in practice since 1993, with over three decades of experience working in hospital and private practice settings. She works primarily with adults facing emotional distress, crisis, or complex life challenges who are seeking meaningful change rather than short-term reassurance.
Her work is informed by a holistic understanding of human behaviour, shaped by her original training in Speech Therapy and Audiology and later postgraduate studies in psychology. This foundation led to a strong interest in pharmacology and neurology, helping her to collaborate with medical professionals when psychological care intersects with physical health or medication management.
Miranda is based in Hermanus, Western Cape, where she sees clients in private practice. She also offers online therapy to clients across South Africa and provides coaching to neurodivergent adults through a UK-based referral service. She does not work with children under 12 and works most effectively with clients who are motivated to engage in the therapeutic process and want to see improvement over time.
Outside of her clinical work, Miranda enjoys reading, gardening, listening to classical music, and travelling. She is the mother of two grown-up children, and often reflects that they have been among her greatest teachers in life, shaping both her personal perspective and her understanding of human relationships.
Clinical Focus and Experience
Miranda is often consulted when people are in crisis. Clients may seek help when depression or anxiety has not improved, relationships feel close to breaking point, or after experiences of abuse or trauma. She also works with individuals navigating infertility treatment, grief and loss, mood disorders, including bipolar mood disorder, and periods of significant adjustment.
A particularly meaningful part of the work is supporting patients before and after major medical procedures, such as amputations or mastectomies. In these situations, psychological care often extends beyond the individual, and family members may be included in sessions to discuss practical and emotional support going forward. Post-operative adjustment difficulties, anxiety, depression, fear of despondency, and concerns about employment are common themes addressed in this work.
Miranda also has training in forensic psychology and experience working with domestic violence and conflict resolution. She is frequently called to see patients in hospital settings following suicide attempts, where calm, structured psychological support is essential.
Therapeutic Approach
Miranda’s approach is compassionate but outcomes-focused. While each client is met with empathy and respect, therapy is purposeful and directed towards improvement. Clients often describe her as calm, grounded, direct, warm, reflective, practical, and gentle.
She draws on a range of therapeutic modalities, selecting approaches based on each client’s difficulties rather than applying a single method to all clients. These may include cognitive behavioural therapy, Rogerian therapy, positive psychology, and solutions-focused brief therapy. When working with neurodivergent adults, sessions often focus on practical strategies and structure that support daily functioning and long-term progress.
Her work is guided by core values of trust, empowerment, and growth, with an emphasis on helping clients understand what is happening, regain stability, and move forward with clarity.
Qualifications and Professional Background
Miranda qualified as a Clinical Psychologist after completing her Honours degree at the University of Johannesburg, graduating Cum Laude, and her Master’s degree at the University of the Witwatersrand. She completed her internship at Tara Hospital in Johannesburg. Her first degree was in Speech Therapy and Audiology from the University of Pretoria.
She has worked in several hospitals and maintained private practices in Johannesburg and Kimberley before relocating to Hermanus in 2016. Her practice is contracted into most medical aids, with sessions charged at recommended medical aid rates. Sliding-scale fees are available to those without medical aid and are discussed before therapy begins.
Practical Information
Practice hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with Saturday appointments available when required. Appointments can be booked telephonically. If Miranda is with a patient, messages may be left and will be returned as soon as possible.