Elements of Counselling: Jo’burg Priest Co-Wrote ‘Essential Tool for Activists’

The new expanded guide Elements of Counselling, which was co-authored by a Catholic priest, was launched at the Jesuit Institute in Johannesburg.

This book, the third updated and expanded edition of what was first published in 2005, was co-written by to Fr Vic Kotze, a psychologist and parish priest of St Francis Xavier’s in Martindale, Johannesburg.

Martindale Counselling Centre

Fr Kotze was the co-founder of the Martindale Counselling Centre in 1984 with Dr Joan Schön, another co-author of the book.

The counselling centre, now housed at its own site in Westdene, is today known as Sophiatown Community Psychological Services.

The launch was attended by friends, colleagues and parishioners of Fr Kotze.

Address by Hanif Vally

A short address was given by Hanif Vally, deputy director of the Foundation of Human Rights, who hailed the book, and its two predecessors.

He said Elements of Counselling was a useful tool for all involved in the caring and teaching professions, and working with members of vulnerable groups in our society.

Mr Vally hailed the book as an “accessible publication…and an essential tool for all social activists”.