Meet KZN's top businesswoman leading the charge in accessible mental health care for all

Sasha Talia Pather has built her work around one guiding belief: “Your environment does not have to define your future.”

It is a conviction shaped by experience, strengthened by service and now carried into every space that she creates through Sasha Talia Counselling, a mental health practice committed to accessible, ethical and compassionate care.

She grew up in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, in a community marked by poverty, substance abuse, violence and limited access to mental health support.

Those realities were not abstract ideas but daily experiences that shaped her understanding of how deeply the environment can impact emotional well-being.

“Those early experiences exposed me to the realities many South Africans navigate daily and deeply shaped my worldview,” she said.

“From a young age, I learned that breaking generational cycles is possible, and that belief continues to guide my professional work.”

While her wider environment carried risk and instability, her home life offered something different. She was raised by her grandmother and aunts, who provided structure, stability, care and strong values.

“My childhood was made safe and nurturing largely through the care of my grandmother and aunts,” she reflected. “They raised me with love, stability and values that grounded me.”

At the same time, she was exposed to trauma at a young age, experiences that were not chosen but deeply felt. Faith became a source of strength during those years and helped her navigate emotional pain when formal support systems were absent.

“I struggled to find counselling spaces that felt truly safe,” she shared. “That led me to learn deeply about the power of the mind and healing from within.”

What stayed with her most was the realisation that unhealed pain does not remain contained within one person.

“One of the most profound lessons from my childhood was understanding how unhealed pain can be passed down through generations,” she said.

That awareness became a turning point and ultimately shaped her professional direction. She did not enter counselling simply as a career choice but as a response to what she had lived through and what she saw around her.

Her approach to counselling is grounded in empathy, shaped by lived experience rather than theory alone.

“Growing up in a community where many people were expected to simply cope reinforced the importance of listening with compassion and without judgment,” she said.

She believes strongly that empathy is not about fixing people but about understanding them. “My approach to counselling is rooted in compassion, cultural sensitivity and meeting clients exactly where they are, rather than where society believes they should be.”

The decision to formalise this calling came from witnessing change in others. She spoke openly about the role of faith in her work and her belief that supporting emotional and psychological healing is part of her purpose.

“I was inspired by witnessing lives being transformed through the ability God entrusted me with to support others emotionally and psychologically,” she said. Mental health conversations were often absent or misunderstood in her community, and she became determined to change that narrative by offering professional, ethical and human-centred care that feels safe and accessible.

Sasha Talia Counselling was born from that intention. The practice was created as a response to the barriers that she saw people facing when trying to access support.

“Many people avoided counselling not because they did not need it, but because of stigma, cost or fear,” she explained.

“I wanted to build the kind of practice that I would have felt safe entering myself.”

At its core, the practice is committed to walking alongside clients through their healing journeys and advocating for those whose voices are often overlooked.

Her thirteen years in the field have shaped her understanding of what healing really looks like.

“Healing is not linear, and progress looks different for every individual,” she said.

She has learned that presence often matters more than solutions.

“Listening is often more powerful than offering advice, and trust, safety and consistency are essential for effective counselling.”

She is equally honest about the responsibility carried by those in the profession.

“Fill your own cup because sustainable support for others requires clear boundaries, self-awareness and ongoing professional development,” she added.

Her advocacy for accessible mental health care remains central to her work.

“Mental health care should never be a privilege,” she said. For her, the goal is not only intervention but prevention, reducing suffering before it escalates into crisis and ensuring that support is available regardless of background or financial circumstance.

Recognition has followed her impact. Being named one of KZN’s top businesswomen was a moment she described as humbling.

“It felt less about personal achievement and more about purpose,” she said.

“It affirmed that the work that I do matters and that ethical, purpose-driven mental health work has a place in business and leadership spaces.”

Despite the accolades, she remains grounded in what she values most.

“The greatest achievements I hold in this practice are the lives that are saved and transformed through the work we do.”

She continues to challenge harmful misconceptions around mental health.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that seeking help is a sign of weakness,” she explained. She also rejected the idea that counselling is only for crises.

“In reality, counselling is a proactive tool for growth, self-awareness and resilience.”

She is particularly concerned by beliefs that link mental health struggles to a lack of faith or discipline. “That belief prevents people from seeking the support they need,” she said.

For young people considering the field, her advice is direct and honest. “You do not need to be emotionally or mentally perfect to begin this journey,” she said.

“Counselling is not about having all the answers, but about holding space ethically, responsibly and with care.”

She emphasised the importance of supervision, personal therapy and continuous learning. “Some people are hired into this field, but others are called,” she added.

“If you cannot help others, at least do not damage them.”

Looking ahead, she believes the future of mental health care in South Africa lies in integration.

“We need to embed mental health support into workplaces, schools, communities and everyday conversations,” she said.