Born and raised in South Africa a number of my first milestones were achieved in this beautiful, dynamic country.

Amongst these were completing my schooling, a Bachelors of Arts in Social Work, as well beginning my work experience in a private practice in South Africa’s capital city Pretoria. It was there that I facilitated preventative programmes in schools and practiced child therapy.

Alongside my husband, we moved to Aachen, Germany, for two years, an experience which enabled me to explore the human psyche in terms of environment adjustments and change management. It was after this two year period that my husband and I moved to San Diego, USA. Having lived in various countries, experiencing and working with different ethnic groups, I have become better equipped to relate to and counsel individuals dealing with life changes and challenges.

In 2004, having lived in San Diego for four years, I attained my Masters of Arts at Bethel Seminary, graduating Summa Cum Laude. It was during my training and internship that I was able to work in a variety of settings to gain the experience and expertise required for effective psychotherapy.

I have a passion to empower individuals and families to attain a higher standard of functioning. I am therefore licensed in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist, a registered Play Therapist Supervisor and an Emotionally Focused Therapy Supervisor. I am also passionate about supervising and consulting other professionals who work with children, families and couples. This includes weekly individual and group supervision to trainees and interns of the non-profit Alliant Couple and Family Clinic.

I am a wife and a mother of three children. This experience has enabled me to reflect on the significance of Child Therapy as well as Marital Therapy and given me the life experience necessary to interact with clients and professionals alike, ensuring a meaningful, sustainable connection.

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Speaking

TALKS FOR ADULTS

Fresh, frozen or fermented – What’s in your emotional fridge?

Is there redemption for our emotions? Emotions are neither intended to rule our lives, nor to be denied. Come and explore what the purpose is in our having emotions. This is an experiential training.

Anxiety can be debilitating, yet treatment for anxiety is readily available and is highly effective. Learn to change the way you think. Deal with stress as you find ways to relax and self-soothe. Learn the essentials in taking back your life from fear. You too can live freely!

TALKS ON PARENTING

Sacred Moments to Foster AttachmentDisciplining Children: Going Beyond Behavior to developing Emotional Maturity

Come and join us as we look at the heart of parenting: what to do and say in the moments that count. This talk will provide the tools to speak to your children in ways that help them listen and learn how to self-soothe. Children who can regulate their emotions are healthier physically, and they do better socially and academically. They grow up to be people who can control their impulses, delay gratification, and cope with life’s ups and downs.

Play is beneficial! Playful parenting is not only an opportunity for fun, but also lies at the heart of building a secure attachment with your children. Parents who develop close relationships with their children have kids who are more obedient, responsible, and compliant. Come and learn how to play with your children. Enter your child’s world through learning the art of play, fun, and games.

Is my child normal? What does my child need to know? How do I talk to my child about these topics? Learn how to answer loaded questions. This is an interactive workshop.

SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS

The purpose of this training is to supplement teachers’ knowledge of behavioral management in the classroom with tools for working with the extra-challenging children. This training will provide insight into the thoughts and feelings behind difficult behaviors. Practical skills will be shared that not only decrease problem behaviors, but also give children an opportunity to mature emotionally throughout the course of the school year. This hands-on, interactive training will give teachers tools they can use immediately to work more effectively with their most challenging students.

Identify emotions underlying difficult behaviors

Set clear and effective limits that encourage children to take responsibility for their own behavior

Develop emotional maturity in their students

Provide growth-enhancing alternatives for negative behaviors

GROUP FOR CHILDREN

Fred entertains children with a 40-minute interactive puppet show. Fred covers topics such as recognizing healthy physical and sexual boundaries, identifying healthy relationships, and preventing child abuse. Fred teaches children how to protect themselves, to speak up for themselves when they have a concern, and gives them options for dealing with their emotions. Parents and teachers are invited to join the show. Children are given coloring books to remind them of what they have learned as well as to share with their families at home.

GROUPS FOR ADULTS

Learn to change the way you think. Apply this to your life by learning ways to relax and self-soothe. Learn the essentials in taking back your life from fear. You too can live freely!

This group is for parents who want to strengthen the relationship they have with their children. Skills are taught and parents are supported as they learn to connect with their children through play and special time activities. Research shows that children who are securely attached with parents are less likely to exhibit problem behaviors, are more cooperative, and have increased self-esteems and psychosocial competences. This is a hands-on, interactive group.

Press & Publications

PODCASTS & INTERVIEWS

Strategies for Relationship Success – Interview with That Relationship Show (2020).

Working with Shame & Honor Cultures in EFT-Featuring Kathryn De Bruin & Carmen Morrison, PhD – Interview with Anabelle Bugatti of We Heart Therapy (2020).

Self of the Therapist in EFT – Interview with Anabelle Bugatti of We Heart Therapy  (2019).

Trainer Talk with Rebecca Jorgensen (2019). ICEEFT Member Benefit Only. View past episodes of Trainer Talk Here.

PUBLICATIONS

Articles:

de Bruin, K., Simonds, S. (2020) Practical Micro-Strategies for Dancing with the Dragons of Trauma. The EFT Community News, 44, Winter.

Lesch, E., de Bruin, K. and Anderson. C. (2018). A Pilot Implementation of the Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Group Psychoeducation Program in a South African Setting. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy: Innovations in Clinical and Educational Interventions.

de Bruin, K., Anderson, C. & Lesch, E. (2016). Hold Me Tight Comes to Vrygrond, South Africa. p 8 – 9. The EFT Community News, 31, Fall.

de Bruin, K., McMains, J. & Brubacher, L. (2011). High Stakes Hide and Seek: Reflections from Therapists Practicing EFT and Play Therapy. The EFT Community News, 10, Summer.

de Bruin, K. (2009). How to involve Parents so that Play Therapy can be as successful as possible. California Association of Play Therapy. Volume 20, October, 4.

de Bruin, K., & Lim, B. (2009). Cross-cultural families. Encyclopedia of Cross-Cultural School Psychology (ECCSP). Springer: International Publishing House.

de Bruin, K., Krausz, M. V. & Price, A. (2008). Feelings Land. CAMFT: The Therapist, 20; 5; pp.86-89.