Conscious Psychology
What does your company do?
Sanam Naran is a registered Counselling Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the founder of Conscious Psychology, a modern psychology practice based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She established Conscious Psychology with the aim of creating an inclusive, culturally sensitive, safe, and holistic therapeutic space for clients. Her motivation stemmed from recognizing a gap in South African psychology practices that prioritize inclusivity and an understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly concerning issues like intergenerational trauma and cultural influences on mental health.
Naran’s academic journey includes a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she graduated Cum Laude, grounding her expertise in psychodynamic theory and practice. She also holds qualifications as a psychometrist, reflecting her interest in psychometric assessments. Her approach to therapy is tailored to individual needs, often integrating relational, intersubjective, and humanistic perspectives.
Through Conscious Psychology, located at 36 Ashford Road, Parkwood, Johannesburg, Naran leads a team of skilled psychologists from diverse backgrounds to provide a range of services, including individual therapy, family therapy, couples counseling, group therapy, and psychological assessments. The practice emphasizes breaking down mental health stigma, especially within minority and culturally diverse communities, and offers both in-person and online sessions to improve accessibility.
Naran is also an advocate for mental health awareness, frequently engaging with the public through social media and media appearances, such as her feature on SABC 3’s Expresso, where she discussed relationship expectations and societal influences. Her work focuses on fostering positive change in South Africa’s mental health landscape by addressing complex issues like trauma, self-esteem, and relationship dynamics with a culturally informed lens.
What is your biggest success?
One of its most significant contributions is the development of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and related interventions. These approaches, grounded in understanding conscious experience, have transformed mental health treatment, particularly for depression and anxiety.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
With only 2.75 psychologists per 100,000 people, the country faces a critical gap in mental health care, exacerbated by underfunding—less than 5% of the annual healthcare budget is allocated to mental health.
