DR MARELIZE SWART

PH.D., R.PSYCH.

Dr. Swart is a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Sex Therapist. She earned her Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch and her Doctoral Degree in Applied Psychology at the University of Calgary, Canada. Dr. Swart has advanced training in sex therapy that she obtained in Canada and the USA. As the only AASECT Board Certified Sex Therapist in South Africa, she has also achieved Diplomate status in Sex Therapy from AASECT (The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists).

Dr. Marelize Swart brings with her more than 20 years of international experience in individual, couples and sex therapy for adults. She has moved back to Cape Town after living in North America for more than two decades. Dr. Swart has been a sessional instructor to medical students and Masters degree students in Psychology in Sex Therapy while in Canada.

Dr. Marelize Swart is the resident Sexology expert for Health24's Forum. Health24.com is South Africa’s premier health and wellness website, averaging over 1.2 million unique users from across the world each month. Of these, over 650 000 users are based in South Africa. Dr. Swart she has recently joined DRUM magazine as their Sexologist with her own sexology column every two weeks. Along with its sister magazines, Huisgenoot and YOU, DRUM magazine is currently one of the largest consumer magazines in South Africa with a total readership of three million and ninety thousand.

Dr. Swart has been featured as the sex expert in the following magazines and news papers across Canada: Chatelaine, Glow magazine, The Vancouver Sun, The Toronto Sun, The Calgary Sun, The Georgia Straight, The Calgary Herald, the Vancouver Metro and internet articles.


  PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • College of Psychologists of British Columbia
  • Health Professions Council of South Africa (Registered Psychologist)
  • Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
  • Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis
  • International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
  • The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
  • The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
  • International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health

SEXUAL QUIZ

  • Do you want to feel more comfortable sexually?
  • Are you single and want to be pro-active to raise your sexual self-image?
  • Ever feel you just can’t ask for what you want sexually?
  • Do you struggle with initiating sexual activity with your partner?
  • When it comes to your sexual connection with your partner, do you often ask yourself, "Is this It?"
  • Are you successful in your career and other areas of your life and yet feel unfulfilled sexually?
  • Does your body-image effect your sexual expression?
  • Are you concerned about your sex drive?
  • Do you have difficulties with orgasm/erection/early ejaculation/delayed ejaculation?
  • Does having sex feel like another chore for you?
  • Is your love life in a rut?
  • Do you often have sex “just to get it over with?”
  • Do you ever experience pain with intercourse?
  • Do you often wish that sex was not part of your relationship?
  • Do you often feel too tired to have sex as for a very busy “to do” list?
  • Do you need professional guidance around issues such as gender identity, sexual orientation, or paraphilias?

If you answered yes to some of the questions above, you are not alone. There is a good chance that your problem is fairly common and there is also a good chance that it can be treated or alleviated.

Most people do not know where to turn when sexual problems creep up. Unlike medical concerns, sexual issues are not something most people feel comfortable discussing with friends and/or neighbours. Most people have no trouble sharing with one another about their lives (e.g. they share parenting difficulties) but find it almost impossible to talk - even to their best friend - about specific sexual difficulties. The result is that many men and women suffer silently whilst at the same time feeling sexual inadequate and abnormal.

Our sexual self-esteem is an integral part of who we are, how we see ourselves, and how we relate to others. In a nutshell, our sexual self-esteem plays a key role in how we see ourselves not only in the bedroom, but also how we feel about ourselves “out of the bedroom.” When a sexual dysfunction develops in either partner, ultimately it will affect both partners and this may cause a great deal of distress.

SEX THERAPY

From birth to death we are sexual beings. Sexuality is an integral part of who we are, how we see ourselves, and how we relate to others. In a nutshell, our sexual self-esteem plays a key role in how we see ourselves not only in the bedroom, but also how we feel about ourselves “out of the bedroom.” When a sexual dysfunction develops in either partner, ultimately it will affect both partners and this may cause a great deal of distress.

Most people do not know where to turn when sexual problems creep up. Unlike health problems, sexual issues are not something most people feel comfortable discussing with friends and neighbours. The result is that many people suffer silently whilst at the same time feeling sexual inadequate and abnormal.

I like to help clients learn how to express their intimacy in ways that enhance their self-esteem and their relationships. To me, intimacy and relationship problems are not separate from the rest of our lives. Intimacy problems are merely symptoms of our bodies reminding us to pay attention to persons, activities, emotions, or our own physical health.

COMMON CONCERNS

Couples
1. Communication and Intimacy problems
2. Sexual Desire Discrepancy
3. Extramarital Affairs
4. Conflict Resolution
5. Infertility
MEN
1. Erection Difficulties
2. Premature Ejaculation
3. Delayed Ejaculation
WOMEN
1. Difficulties with Orgasm
2. Lack of Sexual Desire
3. Pain during Intercourse (vaginismus, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, and vestibulitis)
4. Inhibitions in Sexual Expression
5. Sexual Avoidance/Aversion
OTHER
1. Sex in Older Age
2. Alternative Lifestyles
3. Paraphilias
4. Gender Identity Confusion
5. Sexual Orientation Conflict


I am particularly interested in helping women who experience difficulties with desire, orgasm and pain during sex. In addition, I facilitate an eight weeklong psycho-educational group for women who are interested in exploring and embracing their sexuality in a safe and supportive environment.
Some of the topics include:

  • Recapturing Romance
  • Communicating with your Partner about Sexual Concerns
  • How Body Image effects your Sexual Expression
  • Causes and Contributors to Low and High Sexual Desire
  • Becoming Orgasmic
  • Expanding your Sexual Repertoire

As a Registered Psychologist in BC and AASECT Board Certified Sex Therapist with over 20 years experience in mental health and sex therapy, I help individuals, couples and groups to explore either specific sexual problems, or the more general goal of greater sexual comfort and fulfillment. I realize that sexual problems can be complicated, confusing and difficult to discuss and I try to make the experience as pleasant as possible by creating a therapeutic atmosphere that feels safe, respectful, and non-judgmental.

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FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US

Adress:

The Tranquility Centre 1 Rhodes Street (crn Main str) Somerset West 7130
Adress:

112 Belvedere Rd Claremont 7708
Phone:

060 737 8837
Email:

[email protected]