Zehira-Kedesh

The name Zehira-Kedesh is drawn from Hebrew — meaning holy, sacred, and protected sanctuary. It was chosen deliberately: names, Madeleine Swart believes, carry weight, and the name of a counselling centre should speak to what it offers before any words are exchanged. A holy, protected place. A sanctuary.

Madeleine Swart is the founder and primary counsellor at Zehira-Kedesh — and her credentials are, in the South African context, genuinely exceptional. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science and BSocSc Honours in Psychology from SACAP (the latter Cum Laude, with the Academic Dean's Merit Award), plus higher certificates in Counselling and Communication Skills and in HIV/AIDS Counselling and Management (both Summa Cum Laude). She is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) — and is currently the only person in South Africa who holds both qualifications simultaneously. This dual certification is exceptionally rare and positions her as the country's foremost specialist for survivors of betrayal trauma and partners of sex addicts. She is also a qualified Emergency Services Chaplain (ESCSA).

Madeleine grew up in a First Responder family. She understands from the inside what emergency services work does to people — the direct trauma, the secondary traumatisation, the particular relational dynamics of a first responder family. She volunteers as a victim support counsellor at SAPS in Port Elizabeth and provides counselling and trauma debriefings to police and emergency services personnel as a Chaplain.

What They Offer Survivors and Clients

Trauma Counselling — Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Crime-Related Trauma Trauma counselling at Zehira-Kedesh addresses the full range of trauma types, with particular depth in the forms most prevalent in South Africa:

• Domestic Violence counselling — addressing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, verbal, economic, financial, spiritual, and coercive control abuse in domestic settings; supporting survivors in managing impact and making informed decisions about their lives (counselling does not require leaving the abuser or opening a case)
• Sexual assault and abuse counselling — for survivors of rape (vaginal, oral, or anal), attempted rape, molestation, incest, inappropriate touching, child sexual abuse, and related offences; the specific aim is to change the internal narrative from victim to survivor
• Sexual harassment counselling — for those experiencing unwanted sexual comments, gestures, or conduct in workplaces or learning institutions
• Crime-related trauma — home invasions, hijackings, robbery, and witnessing violence
• Medical trauma — illness, surgery, accident, terminal diagnosis

Trauma Debriefing Trauma debriefings occur 2–3 days after a traumatic event and require specialised training. Madeleine provides structured debriefing sessions that help clients navigate the immediate psychological and physiological impact of trauma and develop appropriate coping skills.

Sex Addiction and Betrayal Trauma — National Specialisation As South Africa's only dual CSAT and CPTT, Madeleine offers a level of specialisation in sex addiction and betrayal trauma that is not available elsewhere in the country: - Therapy for individuals struggling with sex addiction - Therapy for partners of sex addicts experiencing betrayal trauma - Counselling for adult children of sex addicts (ACSA) - Couples work navigating the aftermath of sexual betrayal

First Responders and Emergency Services Dedicated counselling and trauma debriefings for police officers, paramedics, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and their families — addressing occupational stress, PTSD, secondary traumatisation, and the specific relational patterns of first responder family systems.

Pastoral Counselling Faith-informed counselling for clients whose recovery journey is grounded in their relationship with God. Pastoral counselling at Zehira-Kedesh integrates faith, scripture, and spiritual support alongside evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

Sex and Relationships Counselling Individual and couples counselling for relationship challenges, sexuality, intimacy, and the impact of addiction or trauma on relationship functioning.

Online Counselling — Available Nationally Online sessions via video call extend Zehira-Kedesh's services to clients anywhere in South Africa — particularly important for survivors in smaller Eastern Cape towns or rural areas who cannot travel to Port Elizabeth.

Zehira-Kedesh Trauma & Addiction Counselling Centre: Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Eastern Cape — two offices. Phone: 071 308 5777. Online sessions available nationally. Website: zehira-kedesh.com. Founder: Madeleine Swart, CSAT/CPTT/Specialist Wellness Counsellor.