ABOUT ME | GK_Psychology

I am a Counselling Psychologist, registered with the HCPC, HPCSA, and also a Chartered Psychologist registered with the BPS. I offer counselling services to adults, either in person or through secure online platforms. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based methods that assist people to gain emotional insight and make lasting changes.

I work with individuals facing a wide range of challenges including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties and the effects of early emotional trauma. I also have experience assisting individuals in high-performance activities and adapting to demanding life challenges.

I aim to assist you to identify self-sabotaging coping styles and defences so you can develop healthier relationships with yourself and others. My approach involves understanding and regulating anxiety, which helps you feel more composed to express your thoughts and emotions, foster self-development and establish healthy behaviours and relationships.

My approach is empathetic and compassionate while being collaborative, respectful and tailored to the specific therapeutic goals of each client.

Psychotherapy Training

Former training in several modalities, including CBT, Schema Therapy, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic therapy, and Mindfulness-Based approaches.
ISTDP Core Training
BWRT® Level 1 and Level 2

Demographics

Birth year: 1962
First language: English
Second language: Afrikaans

Education

BA (Psychology) Cum Lauda | Psychology and Philosophy Majors | University of Johannesburg (formally Rand Afrikaans University), South Africa
BA Honours (Psychology) Cum Lauda | University of Johannesburg, South Africa
MA (Counselling Psychology) with Distinction | Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
PhD (Psychology) | Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa | University of Kent, United Kingdom

Notable academic achievements

International Golden Key Membership
Rhodes Prestigious Academic Scholarship (funded by Andrew Mellon Foundation)
Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship

Research Interests

The self-concept and Identity-regulation
Psychological self-regulation mechanisms related to emotional fluctuations and performance
Relationship dynamics

My master’s research concentrated on the role of self-awareness in integrating disparate components of the psychological self. A case study methodology was employed to investigate an individual’s self-discovery process through a Schema Mode Therapy approach.

My doctoral research, entitled “Minding your own game: Self-regulation and psychological momentum among golfers,” encompassed the following components: a conceptual analysis of psychological momentum, a mixed methods study exploring self-regulation strategies employed by golfers during momentum phases during gameplay, and a staggered multiple-baseline single-case research design employing mixed methods to examine the role of mindfulness in ego-regulation and psychological momentum experiences among golfers.

Teaching Experience

Counselling Skills (Pharmacy IV and Psychology Honours)
Family Therapy (Masters in Clinical and Counselling Psychology)
Psychotherapeutic Interventions (Psychology III)

Relevant Experience

Rhodes University Student Counselling Centre
Rhodes University Psychology Clinic
Private Practice
Maties Sport High-Performance Unit, Stellenbosch University

Voluntary Work

On behalf of: Alzheimer’s South Africa and South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)

Support group facilitator
Helpline and face to face counselling services