"The loveliest masterpiece of God is the love of a mother."
Dr. rachel zaidman-mograbi
PhD. Social Work (UP)
“I have a special interest in supporting parents in their experience of parenthood from birth of their children through all the stages of their development.”
My Practice
My practice is situated in a quiet, residential setting in close proximity to suburbs in the North of Johannesburg. Session duration – 60 minutes
“Vulnerability is the best measure of courage.” Brene Brown
I believe in an individual’s potential for growth and change no matter what the situation. I am a compassionate, dynamic, well connected therapist with a focus on assisting parents with their struggles obstructing their bonding and attachment with their children.
Find your Balance
Embrace your vulnerability
Move towards wholeness
Become authentic &
Be your highest self!
“IT’S A TERRIBLE THING, I THINK, IN LIFE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE READY. I HAVE THIS FEELING THAT ACTUALLY NO ONE IS EVER READY TO DO ANYTHING. THERE IS ALMOST NO SUCH THING AS READY. THERE IS ONLY NOW.” (Hugh Laurie)
QUALIFICATIONS:
1994-1997 Bachelor of Arts Degree, (Psychology & International Relations): University of Witwatersrand (Wits).
1998-2000 Honours Degree, ( Psychology): University of South Africa (Unisa).
2001-2003 Social Work Degree: University of South Africa (Unisa).
2010-2012 Masters Degree (Clinical Social Work): University of Johannesburg/ November 2012 (UJ).
Dissertation Title: The Influence of Parental Separation on the Social Attachments of Adolescent Girls at a Johannesburg School.
2019 : PhD. Social Work (UP)
Title: Mother-infant attachment in the South African context: a parenting programme
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY (attachment based)
Provide individual therapy to individuals across all stages of life struggling with postpartum depression, marital conflict, bereavement, abuse, divorce, difficulties in parenting, blended family issues, unwanted pregnancies, stillbirth, loss and trauma.
GROUP THERAPY
I facilitate group therapeutic sessions for mothers struggling with postpartum depression and parents working on coping with loss and trauma.
RELATIONSHIP THERAPY
Provide couples therapy for couples experiencing strain and stress in both heterosexual and gay relationships.
What does a Social Worker Offer?
Social workers believe that a therapeutic intervention should be applied to an individual’s full set of experiences and behaviour. The belief is that a therapeutic understanding throughout the client’s treatment should be extended to include the wider system. The basic premise is that all care and assistance offered should lead to a client’s empowerment rather than have a disabling affect on the person in turmoil.
Social Workers focus primarily on the competencies of their clients, and all the positive characteristics, talents and resources within and around a client. The social work view is that people often overlook how much capacity they have within themselves together with their courage and integrity. Such strengths must be highlighted in the transformation process within therapy, which encourage the client to be motivated and begin the process of change.
Individual Therapy (Attachment Based)
Provide individual therapy to individuals across all stages of life struggling with postpartum depression, marital conflict, divorce, difficulties in parenting, blended family issues, unwanted pregnancies, stillbirth, loss and trauma.
Group Therapy
I facilitate group therapeutic sessions for mothers struggling with postpartum depression and parents working on coping with loss and trauma.
Relationship Therapy
I provide couples therapy for couples experiencing strain in both heterosexual and gay relationships.
Adolescent Therapy
I provide therapy to adolescents struggling with parental absence and relationship difficulties, depression, suicidal ideation, bereavement, abuse, sexuality-unwanted pregnancies, adjustment related issues, anxiety, low self-esteem.
Parent Guidance
I provide parents with attachment-based parenting skills, guidance, support and psycho-education with regards to parenting children at all stages of development.
Play Therapy
I provide play therapy to children of all ages.
Supervision
I provide supervision of both intern and qualified social workers from all universities in Gauteng.
Career Guidance
I provide career guidance to individuals who are at a deadlock in their careers and require a deeper understanding and clarity with regards to their occupational path.
Emigration
I assist individuals and families in their journeys to emigrate.
Family Therapy
I provide family therapy for families in need, including extended family of all ages, facilitating the resolution of problems by focusing on individuals separately and within their family system.

About Me
I believe in an individual’s potential for growth and change no matter what the situation.
I am a compassionate, dynamic, well connected therapist with a special interest in parent child bonding and attachment. I work with children, adolescents, individuals, families, groups and couples in my diverse private practice.
Since qualifying as a social worker seventeen years ago, I have worked extensively in the field of parent-child reparation and attachment- related issues, while holding a post as a resident social worker at a Johannesburg based high school for girls.

Testimonials
“I know it is like 2 years late, but rather late than never.
Rachel is a one of a kind social worker. She has great empathy for her clients and students and will go the extra mile. She has a deep understanding of the human psyche and displays such genuineness that it leaves her clients feeling accepted, cared for and understood. Her ability to teach in a manner that is clear and concise is unparalleled. I am eternally grateful to the support she has given me as a student as well as in my time of need.”
Student
16 January 2019 | 14:58
“Through a chance meeting with Rachel I had an opportunity to get her details, about 2 ½ years ago. I made a decision to go and see her regarding some of my personal stress I was experiencing at the time. She not only helped with the problems I was dealing with but also helped me find my self-confidence and self-worth again, she is amazing and very patient and understanding. Rachel is a true professional and has amazing experience in her field.“
Client
17th January 2019 | 09:39
“From growing up in an environment where violence was used as a solution, I ended up with anger issues and low self-esteem. Meeting Rachel and going through the reasons as to why I was using anger to solve my problems helped me to find peace in walking away from fights. Though there were times where I wanted to break, she would help me contain the peace and release the anger. Rachel really helped me prove myself in the last four years in high school and I’m truly grateful to her. “
School Learner
18th January 2019 | 11:45
ATTACHMENT BASED PARENTING PROGRAMMES
I provide attachment based parenting skills programmes for parents and children with a special focus on attachment and bonding.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
I facilitate community projects for private and non-profit organisations promoting caregiver-child attachments.