About Megan
I am a psychologist with 30 years of varied experience ranging from individual and relationship to family and group psychotherapy. My work integrates Eastern philosophy, Western Psychology and Holistic Ecology. My approach is therefore multi-disciplinary.
As a mother of two young men, adolescent development and masculinity have been a focus of my research the past 17 years. As a result, I have helped thousands of parents understand and heal their relationships with their teenagers. I am motivated to bring harmony, depth, and clarity to familial relationships using proven tools. These tools are my courses, workshops, talks and my book: “How to Raise a Man”.
My Achievements
I have worked all over South Africa as well as in Australia, the UK and California. In 1999-2002 I toured SA with ‘2M-Power’, focusing primarily on large-scale woman’s empowerment groups. Since 2004, I have run successful and well-subscribed Mothers and Sons courses at most Independent boys’ schools in South Africa, growing the course offering to include all parents. I have written several articles for parent24.com as the teen expert. I have also contributed to woman’s magazines, radio, and TV as a parenting expert. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, I went online with my ‘Mothers and Sons’ courses, running seven courses with 6 webinars each.
I have diverse training beyond my Psychology degrees, completing a Masters in Holistic Science at the well-known Schumacher College in the UK. In addition, I recently qualified as a Purpose Guide with the Purpose Institute of California. I am educated as an Ashtanga yoga teacher, an Eco-facilitator promoting nature connection; a Presence coach; a Psychodrama therapist as well as having training in hypnosis, breath-work and meditation. My interest in consciousness has led me to study non-dual philosophies and attend many wellness retreats around the world. I also have extensive nature conservation and biomimicry knowledge. This toolkit of eastern and western approaches allows me to bring a holistic and soulful viewpoint to all my work.
My Philosophy
My philosophy hinges on the necessity of quality of presence in any relationship, including that between parent and child. It is not only about the time that a one spends with another, but the manner in which one decides to show up. To be truly present to someone else means to be fully available in a non-judgmental, curious, and wholesome way. The conscious-presence approach holds that building an authentic relationship with ourselves first is key to wholesome parenting.
My Process
My parenting programmes are journeys that begin with broadening self-awareness. Participants are then guided on steps towards a focused presence (the development of an open mind, open heart and open will), a “big-picture” perspective, problem-solving, and action plans.
My Principles
The primary principle is that everything is connected and that we are in constant relationship with all that surrounds us, and this affects who and what we are. This includes our mind, body, soul, and the greater ecology in which we are embedded. Our interpersonal relationships are dynamic and changeable, yet certain intentions and values can remain consistent.
I have been astonished by the successes achieved by implementing these complex philosophies, processes and principles. I would love to tell you more about the value they can bring to your own relationships. The promise is deeper self-awareness and deeper connections, new ways of thinking and evaluating, and effective methods of shifting habitual emotional reactions.
Megan de Beyer
MA (Psych) & MSc. Holistic Ecology (UK)
Registered psychologist in South Africa
Practice no: 8631255
HPSCA registration number: 0041475
Member of the British Psychological Society, UK.
What Parents Say About My Parenting Courses
“Thank you so much for the wonderful parenting workshop in Jersey today. I have come away full of knowledge and inspired to look at my parenting from a slightly different perspective. I am so pleased to have attended.”
Karen Clark
“I attended your Strong Mothers Strong Sons course at Michael House this week and would like to thank you. I feel empowered to put into practice the various strategies you showed us and feel that I understand my son so much better. I feel I can deal with the situations that will present themselves in the future with a lot more insight.”
Suzie Smart
“Megan is truly a remarkable person … smart, passionate, relatable, humorous. Her approach in helping guide our group of parents with teenage girls brought such insight and perspective. I left feeling more empowered and eager to share my daughter’s journey and maybe even learn more about myself along the way too.”
Pam
“I just want to thank you for delivering an amazing course. I am so glad I made the time to attend. I have learned so much and am already beginning to see the rewards of a different approach with my eldest son. Our entire family is benefitting.”
Norma Yates
“I am still in awe of all I learnt last week! I have started implementing certain ways of thinking and have improved my mothering ability already!”
Sam
“Thank you for a wonderful and informative course. It was just what I needed to wake up to the fact that my son is a young man with his own identity, and has changed the way I respond to him. I look forward to the next few years with him and I feel more equipped and strengthened to navigate through these teenage years.”
Lynda
“Thank you so much for this most valuable course. I feel I have gained enormously from your invaluable knowledge, support, techniques and approaches and must mention just how at ease you made us all feel. This is the second time I’ve attended the course. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, you are such an inspiration to us moms of boys and a special thank you to you for everything.”
Jenny Gilson
“I benefitted very much from this course. It highlighted that my son is perfectly normal, facing things that are a little frightening (alcohol and drugs) for us both, but that he needs to find his own way with a sense that he is trusted by his parents, that he has the freedom to start making his own decisions and that we will support them, despite any personal anxieties. It also entrenched the importance to him of knowing that he is loved and his need for the total security of being able to come back home and discuss what he would like to with the knowledge that it will be in the spirit of sharing, never condemnation.“
Anon
“A huge thank you for your inspiring and thought-provoking course. I am in my third year of studying Psychological Counselling and so valued your interactional approach, Megan, in bringing so much of what I have learnt into tangible practice. The lessons in communication were invaluable! It was especially refreshing to hear someone in your profession questioning teenage drinking. Thank you for the passion and genuineness you brought to the course. I feel privileged to have been able to participate and hope you go on to reach many more parents coping with these difficult years – at least I have some more equipment to deal with it all!”
Tanya Adey