In the Public Eye

Media & Press

A look at where Palesa's work has shown up beyond the therapy room, and everything a journalist or producer needs to get in touch.

Community Work

First Healing Circle Session with Young People

Palesa recently facilitated the first of what will be an ongoing series: a Healing Circle Session bringing together a group of young men and women in a shared, guided space. The session was built around normalising open conversation about feelings and experience — giving participants room to check in with themselves, reflect honestly, and be heard without judgment.

A particular focus of the day was creating space for young men and young women to sit in the same room and actually hear one another — something Palesa has long hoped to facilitate. Bringing both audiences together opened the door to a kind of mutual understanding and communication that's harder to reach in separate, single-gender settings.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, and this first session has laid the foundation for it to become a regular gathering.

"What a beautiful day we had… Our first 'Healing Circle Session' with young people went so well! We established the foundation for a community where speaking about our feelings and experiences in a safe space is normalised. With both young men and young women in the room there are amazing opportunities for better communication and understanding between them. My dream was always to facilitate communication and connection between male and female audiences, and here it has presented itself in a unique way. My heart is full. Here's to the next session."

— Palesa, on the first Healing Circle Session

Palesa with the group of young people outside the venue after the Healing Circle Session
Group photo of Palesa and session participants making peace signs
Palesa leading the Healing Circle Session, seated and speaking to participants
A 'Check in with yourself' reflection worksheet laid out with pens and sticky notes
Refreshments table with tea and sandwiches set out for participants
Floor seating area with cushions and mats set up for the session
A corner of the room with a framed quote reading 'The shift inside, shifts the outside'
A framed sign reading 'This is a safe space to be who you are' on a side table
On Air

HarvestFM — A Conversation on Grief

Palesa joined HarvestFM, one of Lesotho's popular radio stations, for a conversation about grief — how it shows up, why it doesn't move in a straight line, and what it actually looks like to support someone (or yourself) through loss. Rather than treating grief as something to "get over," the discussion focused on making space for it: naming what's lost, allowing the mess of mixed emotions, and understanding that healing isn't the same as forgetting.

Palesa entering the HarvestFM studio, ON AIR sign lit above the door
Palesa at the HarvestFM studio entrance in Maseru, Lesotho
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On Stage

Women's Month Talk — Forgiving Yourself, Releasing the Past

Palesa was invited to speak at a Women's Month event on a theme that touches almost everyone: self-forgiveness. The talk explored why so many people carry guilt and shame for things long past — decisions made, chances missed, harm done or received — and what it actually takes to set that weight down. Rather than offering a quick fix, the session focused on a slower, more honest kind of healing: acknowledging the hurt, understanding it without excusing it, and choosing, deliberately, to move forward without it defining what comes next.

Palesa addressing the audience at a Women's Month event, presentation screen behind her
Palesa speaking to the audience at the Women's Month talk
Palesa standing at the podium with an event co-host
Close-up portrait of Palesa at the podium

Church Talk — Identity, Mindfulness & Emotions

Palesa was invited to speak at Soulwinning Outreach Ministries on identity, mindfulness, and emotional wellbeing — exploring how a settled sense of who you are shapes how steadily you can hold your emotions, and why present-moment awareness is so often the missing piece between feeling something and actually working through it. The talk wove together faith, psychology, and practical grounding tools for an audience looking for both spiritual and emotional footing.

Palesa speaking at Soulwinning Outreach Ministries, banner reading 'Please Lord, do it again' behind her
Palesa addressing the congregation at the podium during the talk
Press Kit

For Journalists & Producers

Everything below is available for use in interviews, features, or segments. For a high-resolution headshot, logo files, or anything not listed here, reach out directly using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Short Bio

Palesa Borotho-Etsane is a therapist and life coach based in Maseru, Lesotho, holding a BA Honours degree majoring in Psychology from Rhodes University. With over fifteen years of experience across education, government, and NGO work, she now runs a private practice offering therapy, life coaching, and family & couples counselling — grounded in plain, honest conversation rather than jargon.

Areas of Expertise

  • Grief, anxiety, and trauma in therapy
  • Career and life-decision coaching
  • Family & couples communication
  • Mental health accessibility in Lesotho
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