Private trauma-informed support

I survived 10 years of an abusive marriage and toxic workplaces.

Now I help people survive both — while they’re still inside it.

I’m Aretha Kruger. Registered Trauma Counsellor. Survivor.

I didn’t build this practice from a textbook. I built it from a kitchen. From a silence nobody saw. From ten years of walking on eggshells, apologising for things that didn’t need an apology, and slowly disappearing while still showing up every single day.

I know what it feels like to be too afraid to leave. Too afraid to stay. Too exhausted to know the difference anymore.

That’s why everything I offer is built for one specific person — the woman who is still inside it. Still in the relationship. Still in the job. Still trying to figure out her next move while performing fine to everyone watching.

You don’t need to explain yourself here. You don’t need to have the right words yet.

You just need a place to start.

Why this is different

This is not traditional counselling

Traditional counselling asks you to find an hour, find a sitter, find the words, find the courage to sit across from someone and explain what’s happening to you.

I built something different — because that model doesn’t work for someone in survival mode.

Everything here is private. Asynchronous. Built around your life, not the other way around.

You send a voice note or message when it’s safe. I respond when I can. No waiting rooms. No appointments. No explaining yourself to anyone but me.

Find your starting point

Choose the support that fits where you are right now.

Each offer is built for privacy, safety and clear next steps.

The Pulse Check

For the moment you need clarity right now.

Send me a WhatsApp voice note or message about what’s happening. I respond with a private 3–5 minute voice note giving you honest, trauma-informed insight — plus one of my guides if it’s relevant to your situation.

R250 / $25 internationally

The Strategy Week

For when one conversation isn’t enough.

Four private voice notes over seven days, built around your specific situation. Includes one of my guides. You send voice notes, messages or reflections whenever it works for you — I respond with practical, honest strategy.

R650 / $85 internationally

The Clarity Room

For ongoing strategy, three times a week.

A private audio membership. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I drop a new trauma-informed audio into the room — tools, insight and strategy for people navigating toxic relationships and toxic workplaces.

R350/month · $35 internationally

My Rebuild Journey

For when you’re ready to go deeper.

A personalised four-week journey combining workbook reflection, a custom roadmap built around your unique situation, and ongoing WhatsApp voice note support.

This is not traditional counselling. It’s a safe space to think out loud, recognise your own patterns, and reconnect with who you were before everything tried to convince you otherwise.

R1,200 · $125 internationally
Payable in two instalments

Red Flags I Explained Away

A micro course for survivors.

5 audio lessons plus reflection worksheets, built from my own lived experience of narcissistic abuse. For anyone who keeps second-guessing what they heard, what they felt, and what they know to be true.

$37 once-off

My Amazon Guides

16 guides covering narcissistic abuse, toxic workplaces, divorce recovery and rebuilding self-worth — written from lived experience, not theory.

Who This Is For & Choose Your Support

You're still in the relationship or the job, and you're not ready to leave yet
You feel like something is wrong but you can't quite name it
You're exhausted from trying to explain yourself to people who don't understand
You need privacy more than anything else right now
You've been told you're "too sensitive" or "too negative" and you're starting to believe it
You're a professional facing workplace bullying, gaslighting or being managed out
You've left, but you're still carrying what happened to you

Who this is for

You’re still in the relationship or the job, and you’re not ready to leave yet
You feel like something is wrong but you can’t quite name it
You’re exhausted from trying to explain yourself to people who don’t understand
You need privacy more than anything else right now
You’ve been told you’re “too sensitive” or “too negative” and you’re starting to believe it
You’re a professional facing workplace bullying, gaslighting or being managed out
You’ve left, but you’re still carrying what happened to you

Testimonials

What my clients are saying

I started my journey with Aretha Kruger after I've been through a rough patch. She will help nurse your wound until you are completely healed. She taught me how to be strong, she made me believe in myself again. She has been the progressive one in my healing process and my life haven't been the same again. I am now emotionally independent and strong because of her. You can trust her and everything you say is completely confidential. I can proudly recommend her to anyone who has lost hope in life, the ones dealing with depression and anxiety, those with social anxiety as she is friendly and welcoming. People like Aretha Kruger makes the world a more peaceful and happier place.

Aretha completely understands exactly what it’s like to be in an emotionally abusive relationship. She provides constructive, thoughtful advice about how to navigate what is often a very scary, unpredictable environment. When speaking to her, I truly feel understood, and the reality of my situation is taken seriously. The ongoing support provided by Aretha helps me to focus on finally breaking free from a relationship. I know that I am not alone. The fact that she has escaped from a similar situation is an inspiration to me. She is an invaluable and very knowledgeable part of my support network.

Aretha has been a rock of strength to me. She encourages you every step of the way and tells you as it is. I am blessed to always be in contact with her.

I started counseling with Aretha not knowing what to expect and very weary because of my hurt I don't trust people but there we started our journey, and I can tell you every time I speak to her, I feel hundred times better. She is funny. She listens. And most of all she understands. I would recommend her to anyone that wants a listening ear and someone that understands.

Working with you has been such a refreshing experience. You’re not only kind and attentive but also a true cheerleader — always uplifting, encouraging, and creating such a safe space to open up. What makes your guidance so special is that you deeply understand narcissism, not just from study but from lived experience, and that empathy shines through in the way you support and empower others. In just two sessions, I’ve felt heard, validated, and guided with such compassion. I’m so grateful for the work you do and the energy you bring — it’s clear you genuinely care.

I built this practice from everything I survived.

I spent ten years in a marriage that slowly dismantled who I was. I apologised for things that needed no apology. I changed myself completely, trying to become someone unrecognisable, and it was still never enough.

I also spent years in HR, watching people get bullied, gaslit and managed out of jobs they were good at — because someone in power didn’t like them.

I left both. I got qualified. I built this practice from everything I survived.

I’m a Registered Trauma Counsellor currently completing my Masters in Counselling through the Professional Counsellor Academy (IAC and SAAC accredited).

I don’t see my story as something that happened to me. I see it as the reason I’m able to see you clearly, without judgment, without making you explain yourself from the beginning.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Whether you need one conversation or ongoing support — there is a starting point here that fits your life, your privacy needs and your budget.

Aretha Kruger | Registered Trauma Counsellor | WhatsApp: +27 68 926 5980 | Email: aretha@mebutbettercounseling.co.za

All conversations are private and confidential. Payment is required before service begins.