Qualifications: BA Psychology and Communication (UNISA,) Hons in Counselling Psychology (UJ,), MA Counselling Psychology (UJ,), PDBA (Wits Business School).

Duncan Yates is a counselling psychologist with over 15 years of clinical experience. He provides evidence-based therapy with a warm, down-to-earth approach, supporting individuals through life transitions, trauma recovery, anxiety, neurodiversity, and burnout.

Duncan has worked across a range of settings in both South Africa and the United Kingdom, including private practice, correctional services, higher education, and disability rights advocacy. This breadth of experience has shaped his deeply respectful, integrative therapeutic style. His approach is grounded in humanism and draws from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approaches, tailoring each session to the individual. This encourages his clients to cultivate mindfulness, enhance psychological flexibility and promote emotional resilience. 

He completed his Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, following an Honours in Psychology and a BA in Communication and Psychology. His training included a formative placement at Leeuwkop Prison, which helped solidify his commitment to non-judgmental, person-centred care.

For many years, he held the position of Neurodiversity and Mental Health Coordinator at the Wits University Disability Rights Unit. Recently, he worked in the UK as a Lead District Psychologist for an NGO in addiction support.

Outside of the therapy room, Duncan values balance and presence. He enjoys hiking, yoga, and practising mindfulness. His calm and grounded presence is at the heart of Healing Harbour: a therapeutic space where clients can safely explore, process, and grow.