Forensic & Clinical Psychologist in Saxonwold
About:
About
I graduated with my Masters qualification in Clinical Psychology in 2006. Along the way to that professional specialisation, I also collected my Doctorate in Psychology as well as a specialised Masters level training in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. I have always had an interest in the psychology of criminal behaviour and the intersection of psychology and the law, but in my professional development, I also discovered a passion for working with people in the non-criminal domain and helping them to live more productive and fulfilling lives with psychotherapy.
My professional journey to date has involved 7 years of work in the governmental mental health sector at hospitals such as Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, Tara H Moross Psychiatric Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. I have worked in child and adolescent units, psychotherapy wards with adult patients and in a psycho-legal capacity at these various institutions.
I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa in the category of Clinical Psychologist (Independent Practice) as well as with the British Psychological Society as a Graduate Member and American Psychological Association as an International Affiliate. I have served as President of the South African Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions.
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I have been involved in lecturing and training intern psychologists and psychiatric registrars in the areas of psychotherapy, child psychotherapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, forensic psychology and personality disorders. I have also run training workshops on dialectical behaviour therapy for colleagues and various organizations.
I have been interviewed for various television and radio programmes and publications with regards to my expert knowledge in the area of psychology and crime, and psychology in general. In my psycho-legal work, I am frequently called on to testify in Court on matters where I have conducted evaluations.
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I really enjoy the work I do and am invested in being a therapist and expert who holds themselves to the highest ethical standards and strives to deliver quality and professionalism at all times.
My Approach

I work from a predominantly psychodynamic and attachment theory frame for my psychotherapy practice. This means that I am interested in exploring how your early experiences and relationships have contributed to who you are today and how some of your struggles may be playing out. My approach is less directive than others and will give you space in which to thoroughly think through and talk out your challenges.
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With regards to my work with adolescents, I use a lot of the principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. These are more practical and directive and focus on empowering you with skills to cope better with stress and difficult or intense emotions. Some of the modules covered include mindfulness, distress tolerance and interpersonal relationships.
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With regards to my psycho-legal work, I strive to maintain an objective, impartial and reasonable stance to my evaluations and assessments. I utilise assessment techniques and tools that are relevant and well-supported by the available research in the field.
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Throughout all areas of my practice, I am professional and focused, aiming to give you the best possible quality of service for the time and money that you are investing in the process.