The mind I love most must have wild places, a tangled orchard where dark damsons drop in heavy grass, an overgrown little wood, the chance of a snake or two, a pool that nobody's fathomed the depth of, and paths threaded with flowers planted by the mind.
Katherine Mansfield
As an independent clinical psychologist I facilitate and provide assessment and psychotherapy services to adolescent (16 +) and adult individuals, families and groups.
I also manage a psycholegal practice with a focus on family matters. This includes assessments that contribute to family mediation and facilitation processes, care and contact assessments in respect of minor children, and assessments for families subject to psychosocial and legal stressors.
I consult to a niche’ group of private and public sector corporate clients and provide consulting services at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health.
_______________________________________________________________________________
My clinical practice interests include working with individuals who experience challenges and / or difficulties associated with:
- trauma and loss, experienced from single traumatic events like a car accident or an assault or the passing of a loved-one, as well as repeat traumatic events including long-standing abuse;
- anxiety difficulties, including general feelings of anxiety, difficulty managing personal stress or experiencing sustained stress, experiences of excessive worry or panic, or distressing thoughts and related behaviour;
- mood difficulties, including low mood and depression, excessive irritability or anger, or fluctuating or persistent mood states that may be difficult to manage;
- bipolar related illnesses;
- relationship difficulties, especially in personal, family or workplace relationships.
- transitional or life-change challenges, including parenthood, separation, mid-life, career, and existential related challenges.
In addition to the above, I have a particular interest in parental mental health as well as assisting individuals and families who are finding it difficult to cope where a parent, child or sibling suffers from psychological difficulties or mental illness.
In terms of corporate consulting I develop and facilitate programmes that promote psychological literacy and individual and group psychological capital, primarily within the framework of corporate CSI programmes.
_______________________________________________________________________________
CLINICAL PRACTICE ORIENTATION
I practice primarily from an integrative psychodynamic framework and encourage the principles of preventative psychology throughout my clinical work. In certain circumstances I may augment my clinical practice with other non-dynamic evidence based psychotherapies.
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
My professional practice is informed by the principles of life-long development through reflective, evidence-based practice.
___________________________________________________________
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Academic
I completed my formal academic training as a clinical psychologist through the University of Stellenbosch where I obtained my BSc (Honours) (Psychology) and MSc (Clinical Psychology) degrees.
I also hold certificates in various fields of related professional development, including Logotherapy from UNISA and Family and Divorce Mediation from FAMAC.
Internship
My clinical internship was completed through the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town.
During this time my clinical responsibilities included clinical, psychological, psychometric, and neuropsychological services at various in-patient and out-patient wards. This included clinical psychology services in the acute male admission and forensic units at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital as well as out-patient psychotherapy services at Groote Schuur Hospital and in-patient clinical and psychotherapy services for individuals and groups in a specialist dual diagnosis medical-psychiatric ward. I also completed a number of forensic interviews and assessments in terms of Section 77 (fitness to stand trial) and Section 78 (criminal capacity) of the Criminal Procedures Act (Act 51 of 1977, as amended).
Public Service
During my public service year I established and managed the clinical psychology and mental health services unit at Abraham Esau District Hospital and various Community Health Centres in the southern Karoo region.
My clinical responsibilities during this time included providing clinical, psychological, and psychometric assessments as well as out-patient psychotherapy services to a diverse patient population.
I also provided forensic assessments of defendants and complainants in criminal proceedings, including capacity to stand trial assessments and victim impact reports.
You must be logged in to post a comment.