About
I am a clinical psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa with a private practice in Blairgowrie, Johannesburg. My qualifications are as follows:
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BA Humanities (Stellenbosch University)
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BA Honours in Psychology (Stellenbosch University)
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MA Psychology (Stellenbosch University)
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MA Clinical Psychology (Stellenbosch University)
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I completed my undergraduate studies, honours degree, and two master’s degrees at Stellenbosch University. The first of these master’s degrees was a MA Psychology, which entails a research thesis. My research was conducted on the impact of interpreter mediated sessions at South African psychiatric hospitals, looking at the impact of language and cultural barriers on effective communication and how this impacts treatment. Little is known about interpreting practices in low- and middle-income countries, yet provision of good quality mental health care relies heavily on effective communication.
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I received my second master’s degree, a MA in clinical psychology also at Stellenbosch University. During this time, I worked at the Welgevallen Community Psychology Clinic in Stellenbosch. I then completed my internship year at Tara Hospital in Johannesburg, first working on the therapeutic ward (Ward 4/5) and later in the eating disorder and adolescent ward (Ward 1/2). Following this, I completed my community service at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Clinics in the suburbs of Soweto, Orange Farm, Lenasia, Rosettenville and Florida. During this time, I worked with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and with various diagnoses, problems of living and emotional challenges.
Following my community service year, I started a small private practice while also working as a full-time staff member of first the Johannesburg Metropolitan Clinics before transferring to Tara Hospital to work in the Out-Patients department, mixed biological ward and Lufuno Neuropsychiatric Clinic.
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Currently it is a pleasure working as a private practitioner from my practice in Blairgowrie, as well as once a week from Bryanwood Therapy Centre in Bryanston. I offer individual therapy to adults and adolescents, as well as couples therapy, in both English and Afrikaans. Online therapy is also available on request.
My Therapeutic Approach
My Approach:
I work primarily from a relational approach (psychodynamic orientation), but I do believe in an integrative approach and believe in tailoring my therapeutic approach to best suit each person’s need, and I am able to call on a variety of modalities to do so.
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There is a focus on bringing underlying unconscious dynamics to a conscious level. Our unconscious motivations, past experiences and past relationships influence our self-esteem and ways of relating to others, yet we are often not conscious of the effect these have on our sense of self and on our interactions with others. We will explore dynamics that give rise to the symptoms and difficulties you may be experiencing. During therapy, clients experience changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviour as they come to understand themselves better.
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When needed and appropriate, I also incorporate elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This is when certain coping skills are needed, or where traumatic experiences or anxiety is overwhelming. We will then develop and agree on methods to lessen the severity and frequency of distressing symptoms.
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What to expect:
In the first three sessions I will, generally, ask more questions than in later sessions. I use these sessions to gain an understanding of your personal history, as well as current and past challenges.
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The process begins with an assessment of 2 to 3 sessions for me to gain a better understanding of you and what you are grappling with, and to collaboratively decide the most appropriate way forward. You will also gain a sense of how I work. Should you feel comfortable working with me, we will agree on a treatment plan, and if it includes psychotherapy we will meet at regular times, usually once a week.
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The duration of each session is between 50 - 55 minutes.
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Online:
Therapy sessions are usually conducted in person at my office, but I do offer online sessions under certain circumstances.
