Helping Children, Parents & Adults Navigate Life's Challenges Through Therapy & Support
Offering compassionate counselling in Cape Town, Leila supports children, adults, and families through play therapy, trauma recovery, and emotional healing.
Private Practice
In Somerset West Since 2007
When life feels overwhelming and emotions run high, Leila offers steady, compassionate support. She is well equipped to guide individuals through stress, despair, and emotional distress – helping them heal and return to a place of balance and wellbeing.
Therapy for Children
Children and teens often struggle to express complex emotions. Through play therapy and age-appropriate counselling, Leila helps young clients work through anxiety, trauma, grief, and life changes in a safe and supportive space.
Adult & Adolescent Counselling & Trauma Support
Life’s challenges can leave lasting emotional wounds. Leila offers a calm, confidential space to explore anxiety, grief, trauma, and stress – supporting you in finding clarity, healing, and strength through professional counselling.
Parent & Teacher Support
Supporting children starts with supporting the adults who care for them. Leila provides guidance to parents and educators navigating emotional, behavioural, or developmental concerns – offering tools to create calm, connection, and resilience.
Group Workshops & Therapeutic Storytelling
Healing often begins in connection. Leila facilitates meaningful group workshops and therapeutic storytelling sessions that create safe spaces for sharing, reflection, and emotional growth—for children, parents, and communities.
About Leila
(SACSSP) South African Council of Social Service Professionals 10-09859
Practice Number: 890097
Born Leila Ann Wood in Johannesburg in 1962 . Attended the Holy Rosary Convent in Edenvale .
Attended Holy Rosary Convent in Edenvale matriculating in 1980. This was followed by a B.A. Social Work at Wits (1980-1984) In 1985 I moved to Grahamstown and completed an Honours degree in Social Sciences at Rhodes University
CAREER 1985 – 2000
The first decade of my career was spent primarily in the field of physical disability, the highlight was working in projects supporting students with disabilities at Wits and UCT. No matter where I worked in Johannesburg I always included Supervision and Training of Social Work students as part of my work load. In the early 1990’s I managed the Edenvale Senior Citizens Service centre, this was primarily a management and community development position. Shortly after leaving Edenvale Seniors I started part time private practice and qualified as a Play Therapist. Prior to moving to the Western cape in2000 I worked for 3 years as Practice Field Tutor and Junior lecturer in the School of Social work at Wits.
2000 – 2008
For 8 years I worked as the social worker for Meerlust Wine Estate where I founded the Meerlust foundation. My work was primarily with the children of the farm workers. While at Meerlust I completed a Masters degree. My thesis focused on the LEGACY OF POWERLESSNESS AMONG FARM WORKERS IN THE WESTERN CAPE. Since 2009 I have been in fulltime private practice in Somerset West. I focus on children with emotional, behavioral and social issues. The adult work I do is focused on personal growth and management of life crises.
2007 -2014
Alongside staring private practice in Somerset West first part time and two years later full time I held 2 positions, both based at the Coronation Street Methodist Church. Firstly Facilitator of the Somerset West branch of SADAG (SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXEITY GROUP) and secondly Clinical Supervisor of Volunteer Counselors at the RUACH COUNSELING CENTRE
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