A CALM RESPECTFUL SPACE, HOSTED BY AN
EQUALLY CALMING COUNSELLOR

LIVEFREE is a counselling practice in Cape Town offering a safe, confidential space for individuals who feel overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, disconnected, or simply unsure of what’s next. At LIVEFREE, counselling is centred around creating a safe, respectful space where you can slow down, reflect, and speak honestly about what’s going on in your life.

MEET MERRICK HOLTAK, LEAD COUNSELLOR AT LIVEFREE

This is Merrick, a SACAP-qualified counsellor with a passion for coaching men and young adults into greater freedom. Merrick specialises in Christian Counselling, Couples Counselling, Self Esteem Coaching, Counselling around broken relationships, Trauma Counselling, General Life Coaching and Change Management.

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY MERRICK HAS ADDED TO HIS EXPERIENCE, HE HAS GAINED…

…amazing practical knowledge studying Counselling at SACAP (SA College of Applied Psychology), a college that places high value on the practical experience of Counselling, offering ‘gold-fish’ bowl experiences and plenty of hands-on work and self-development.

…experience of a wide array of counselling needs at Hope House (now closed) – a counselling NGO in Bergvliet and Blouberg that offered counselling to people in need – in exchange for a donation. Hope House offered a wide range of counselling from grief counselling to counselling children and adults who are survivors of abuse. Trauma counselling after violent crime or loss is also a part of their offering. Merrick counselled this whole range of clients and gained excellent experience along the way.

…connection and leadership skills through his business, ‘The Life Transformation Centre’ in Wynberg. Here, Merrick offered rooms paid by the hour to other counsellors. Around 50% of Counselling and Psychology graduates do not practice after they qualify, so easy-entry counselling rooms were an excellent offer.

…leadership and mentoring skills training through LifeXchange’s work with at-risk youth an organisation supporting youth in Lavender Hills in Cape Town.

… excellent cross-cultural and crisis counselling skills working as a counsellor at Taking Care of Business in Epping. Here, Merrick’s clients were businessmen in the townships of Cape Town. Merrick counselled TCB businessmen around trauma, family issues, crisis and abuse. He worked cross-culturally in every case and developed a love for working people of many different cultures.

Merrick serves a range of clients focusing on old and young male clients, couples experiencing the challenges of menopause and an empty nest and ….. He loves helping clients develop their sense of self and self esteem through coaching and counselling.

 

Merrick has had the good fortune to counsel a range of clients, from Corporate Employees, Business owners, Families, Teens, Couples, People struggling with addiction, Trauma, Bereavement (Loss), Abuse and Christian Counselling, across cultures and beliefs.

Prior to feeling called to Counselling, Merrick had an IT and media background. He got his degree in Business Information Analysis and shortly afterwards owned a company working on an IT product for the JSE. He then sold his company and fulfilled a dream to become a 3D Animator. He worked on the Christian 3D Children’s Movie, ‘Lion of Judah’ and was Head of Dynamics (wind, fire and effects).

Hope House Counselling Center (Bergvliet and Blouberg), Life Transformation Centre, The Appliance Bank, Taking Care of Business,  SACAP, Common Ground Wynberg, Christ Church Kenilworth and for LiveFree in Tokai.

ALL THE PSYCH LINGO

Merrick – If I had to share my overall approach it would be that I believe you are the expert on your own life.

My role is to walk alongside you, using a range of recognised psychological and counselling approaches to help you better understand yourself, work through challenges, and move towards healing, growth, and healthier ways of living.

Some of these tried and tested Psychological Approaches

INTEGRATIVE APPROACH: I create a Rogerian environment that feels safe, supportive, and non-judgemental.

PERSON-CENTRED which means I see you as the expert on your own story and experiences. Rather than telling you who you are or what you should do, we work together to better understand what you’re carrying, the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and what healing or growth could look like for you personally.

 

TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE – Counselling is collaborative and grounded in trust — not judgement, pressure, or quick fixes

NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION – an approach which sees ‘unmet needs’ as at the centre of angry feelings.

HOLY SPIRIT-LEAD COUNSELLING – at the core of Christian counselling is a method of gently challenging blind spots and equipping the client to heal and make better life choices. This is all through the leading of the Holy Spirit, one of the three persons of the God.

CBT – For quicker results and short-term therapy CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is highly effective, helping a person develop thought patterns and triggers that result in certain feelings. It helps them manage their emotions through better thinking.

GESTALT – This is a Psychological discipline, a form of psychotherapy that focuses heavily on the present moment and emphasizes self-awareness.

I walk a journey with each client, helping them process emotions such as fear or loss. I guide them to find a new level of acceptance and break the patterns that hold them back from reaching their full potential.

— Merrick