Clinical Psychologist (MSc)
BSocSci Psychology (UP)
BSocSci(HONS) Psychology (UP)
MSc Clinical Psychology (Medunsa)
My undergraduate degree was completed at the University of Pretoria, where I majored in psychology and criminology. Following completion, I also finished my honors degree in psychology from the University of Pretoria. Thereafter, I started an intensive masters degree program in clinical psychology, led by the accomplished Dr. Warwick Phipps and the late Prof. Charl Voster, at the University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus).My internship was conducted at Dr. George Mukhari Hospital—one of the largest state hospitals in South Africa—and Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, in Pretoria. I treated and worked with a large variety of intensive psychological, psychiatric, cognitive and neuropsychological difficulties through psychotherapy and assessments with, adults; adolescents; children and the elderly. Such difficulties included, amongst others: depression; anxiety; bereavement and loss; trauma; relationship difficulties; and psychiatric conditions; as well as the impact of traumatic brain injuries and neurological illnesses on adults and children.Throughout this internship and thereafter, I focused my efforts on my masters degree dissertation where I became the first to introduce and implement clown therapy, as method of treatment for pre-operative anxiety in children aged 5 – 10 years, in both private and public South African hospitals. During this time I was also employed as the student counselor at Medunsa, where I assisted a large student population with both psychological difficulties, as well as vocational and cognitive assessments.
Following my qualification as clinical psychologist, I completed my community service at Tshwane Rehabilitation Hospital in Pretoria—a rehabilitation facility that focuses exclusively on the physical and psychological rehabilitation of people who have experienced significant brain injury and spinal cord injury. During this time, my focus was on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychological difficulties following brain injury in adults and children alike, as well as on the psychotherapeutic care of people who had recently had a life changing spinal cord injury. In addition, limited resources in these environments resulted in my developing a neuropsychological assessment battery that can be used in contexts where there are very limited assessment instruments, with reliable results. I have also trained other psychologists in the use and implementation of this battery.
I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a clinical psychologist in private practice. I am also an associate member of the South African Clinical Neuropsychological Association (SACNA), as well as a member of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) and Neuropsychology South Africa.
Currently, I am in private practice at the NHC Medical and Dental Centre in Centurion, where my focus is on all aspects of psychotherapy with the aim to facilitate effective psychological and interpersonal functioning for the client. I also focus on psychological and cognitive assessments for individuals of all ages, to reach a clearer understanding of specific directions to take, whether it be for career or scholastic needs; or whether it be to gain a better understanding of how cognitive abilities translate into everyday life.
I essence, I am and always have been very passionate about people and assisting individuals to move toward an effective and happy life. Since I am not fond of an umbrella approach to psychotherapy, I prefer to introduce strategies and potential changes, in a non-judgmental and empathic way, for each individual client. My approach is integrative and interactional in nature to assist adults, adolescents, children and the elderly alike, as well as couples, families and groups. Whether the challenge is anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, loss, trauma or more serious psychiatric difficulties; or whether the client wishes to adjust certain aspects of themselves to work on self-esteem for instance; or resolve the emotional impact of certain experiences—my approach is aimed at meeting the needs and goals of each individual client in a holistic and gentle way.
Individual Therapy
(For adults & Adolescents)
Although the process of psychotherapy is difficult to explain in a few words—my approach usually involves identifying with the client what the challenges are that you may be facing, at the client’s own pace and without any judgment. Together we look at experiences, or behavior patterns, that may be contributing to feelings of unease in personal relationships, or unhappiness and discomfort. My approach is tangible, practical and molded to suit the individual needs of the client. In this way, a constructive and positive outcome is usually reached that is in line with your goals.
The process is usually limited to few sessions in total, with the exception of cases that are somewhat more complex—in which case, therapy may continue a little longer.
Child Therapy
Children deal with emotions or psychological difficulties much differently to grown-ups. They do not always have the words to express how they feel, and thus most parent(s)/caregivers only realise that something is not quite right when little ones start behaving differently to their usual selves.
When working with children, I use a combination of play therapy and teddy bear therapy to assist your child with whatever challenge they may be facing by creating a therapeutic environment that is safe and fun, and where they feel understood. Parents are involved in every step of the process and we wok together as a team towards resolving any challenges.
Parent training sessions are also available, as well as clown therapy for children who are scheduled to undergo a surgery.
Couples Therapy
(Pre-marital; Marital & Relationship counseling)
Relationships can be work at times, but they don’t necessarily have to be hard work. In the couples therapy process, couples are assisted to resolves relationship difficulties most often caused by a breakdown in communication between partners. The process thus facilitates effective interaction and communication between partners through a process of mutual understanding and respect to empower couples to become an loving and effectively functioning system.
Each partner is seen individually for the first session and thereafter the therapeutic process is determined by what each couples goal is for the outcome.
Assessment
(Adults, adolescents, children)
Whether the need is for work or school, assessment aids in determining what your cognitive strengths and weaknesses may be. This process creates an understanding of how each clients brain works, in order to make the best possible decisions about work direction; subject choice or what to study.
Assessment also helps to determine the presence of learning difficulties such as ADD/ADHD, so as to determine a way forward that will have the possible outcome for the client.
The assessment process involves a variety of psychological and scientifically reliable assessments that are specifically selected to suit each individuals needs.
Neuropsychology:
(All ages)
In essence neuropsychology is determining how the brain, or injury of the brain, influences our behavior on a daily basis.
The process usually involves two aspects, which are specifically aimed at people who for instance; have suffered a stroke; or who have a difficulty with speaking; or a brain injury due to trauma such as a car accident.
Firstly, neuropsychological assessments may be preformed to determine which areas of the brain are involved, and how this affects daily living for the person.
Secondly, the process assists the person with the difficult emotions often experienced due to, for instance, an inability to speak following a stroke.
Neuropsychological intervention usually involves a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, and as such neurologists and/or speech therapists may be involved.
