About

EDUCATION

I have completed three degrees in psychology – in 2008 a 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree (Psychology), in 2009 a 1-year Bachelor of Psychology degree (BPsych honours equivalent) and in 2014 a 2-year Master of Science degree (MSc) in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigation. I am an accredited family mediator with the South African Association of Mediators (SAAM) and a parenting coordinator. I am registered and accredited with professional organisations: 

REGISTRATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS

HPCSA Reg. No.: PRC0011223 (Registered Counsellor)

BHF Pr. No.: 0503096

SAAM Accredited Family Mediator

WORK EXPERIENCES

Since 2003 I have worked within the criminal justice field, including work at a forensic clinic for abused children (Teddy Bear Clinic), Leeukop Prison (incarcerated children and adults), Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital (children’s ward), and the South African Police Services (child and adult victims of serious crime). From 2010 I lectured undergraduate psychology students in child and adult Developmental Psychology, and continue now to supervise students of various disciplines during their internships. I offer talks at various schools on a variety of topics such as bullying, child abuse action, drug and alcohol misuse, healthy and harmful relationships, and suicide intervention.

In my private practice, my work as a family professional has continued with clients who in some way, reluctantly, need to interact with the criminal justice system due to current or past stressful and traumatic events.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND PRESENTATIONS
    • 2009 Honours degree research “Young Sex Offenders in Diversion Program and their own History of Abuse”;
    • 2010 Assistant editor of Dr Shaheda Omar’s PhD dissertation, “A study of Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse of Children under 12 years”;
    • 2014 Masters thesis (HPCSA ethically accredited for CPD points) “Perspectives on the Impact of the Criminal Justice System on the Sexually Abused Child in South Africa”;
    • 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Presentations of my Master’s research at a number of conferences in South Africa, as well as presenting talks on “Forensic Interviewing of Distressed Children”, “Child Abuse Allegations Made During Divorce”, “Child Development and Healthy Behaviours” and “Impact of Pornography on the Young Child”.