BACKGROUND

My psychology training started at Stellenbosch University where I completed my undergraduate and honours in Psychology. Following this I did an internship in Psychometry through UNISA. I completed the practical component of this training with Dr Anthony Costandius (Counselling Psychologist). I gained immeasurable experience during my Psychometry training with Dr Costandius regarding psychometric testing and behavioural, emotional and scholastic difficulties in children and adolescents. My experience in working with children was further significantly influenced during my 2 years of teaching Grade 1 at Simonsberg Primary school. This followed when I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Foundation Phase) at UNISA.

I obtained my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at Nelson Mandela University (NMU). During my training at NMU as well as my internship at Stikland and Tygerberg Hospitals, I was exposed to varying degrees of mental illness, neuropsychological assessments, individual and group psychotherapy and community work. I worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team and therefore worked with other professionals, such as Psychiatrists, Dieticians, Occupational- and Speech Therapists as well as Social Workers. The value of working with other professionals and understanding each individual holistically, became apparent during this time.

During my community service year, I worked with inmates at Goodwood Correctional Centre as well as parolees at Bellville Community Corrections Office. I provided individual psychotherapy for inmates and parolees as well as psycho-educational groups.

I have previously worked for Community Keepers NGO where I assisted with psychotherapy for children in primary schools in the Fisantekraal and Morningstar areas. I also previously did Neuropsychology work in practice with Dr Riaan Olivier (Neuropsychologist) at his Neuropsychology Practice in Cape Town. Furthermore, I have assisted the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) with the overview of psychometric research by their team of Psychometrists.

I am registered with the HPCSA as a Clinical Psychologist in Independent Practice and I am registered to practice with the Board of Health Care Funders (BHF). I am also a member of the following associations:

SACNA (South African Clinical Neuropsychological Association)
PsySSA (Psychological Society of South Africa)
WCAIMH (Western Cape Association for Infant Mental Health)
BWRT (BrainWorking Recursive Therapy)
Western Cape Association for Play Therapy