I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist, with special interest in the maintenance of well-being and the prevention of mental illness. I have been in private practice since 2005 based in Gauteng, South Africa.
I trained at the University of Zululand in a community psychology based programme. Zululand in Northern KwaZulu Natal and its surrounding areas is a predominantly mining area where supporting towns sprang up as a result of migrant employees. The aim of the University in developing the community psychology programme was to create support for the displaced migrant employees, facilitate tolerance in this cultural melting pot, and most of all create an environment of physical and emotional well-being for the employees and their families.
I was initially moved to concentrate on well-being and prevention of mental illness during my internship where I worked as a consultant psychologist to companies such as Mondi (Richards Bay and Empangeni), South African Ports Authority (Portnet), Ticor and Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). I was responsible for the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in each of these companies and was confronted on a daily basis with individuals who struggled to cope with their unfamiliar environments and the demands of work. The research for my Master’s Thesis was The Effect of Exercise on Psychological Well-Being in the Workplace.
During the course of my practice, I have dealt with a number of clients with work related difficulties. I was instrumental in establishing the EAP programme in a medical hospital during my Community Service. After establishing a successful private practice, I branched out into Coaching and received accreditation through Success Factory. This was mainly due to the yearning to be able to intervene at an earlier stage of distress.
I am an internationally accredited assessor of the EQ-i and MBTI New. My training as a clinical psychologist, exposure to coaching and work experience equips me to understand the relationships of individuals both with themselves and each other. I excel at managing difficult situations through my attitude, professionalism and ethical point of view.
My current areas of interest are eating disorders, interracial based relationships, post-traumatic stress disorders, stress and anxiety based disorders, depression, infertility based difficulties and couples counselling.