Welcome to Pumza Phakathi
Clinical Psychologist
Services offered include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, trauma counselling and psychological assessment.
About Me
I am a clinical psychologist who is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA – PS 0117986) and the Board of Health Funders (BHF) – Practice no: 0689327. I have deep and wide experience that includes work for hospitals, a university, the Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). I have also worked with individuals, families and diverse groups of people in various provinces across South Africa. I am experienced in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of emotional, behavioral, personality, psychological and neuropsychological problems. I seek an opportunity to help people by applying acquired skills and knowledge in the areas of psychotherapy, psycho-diagnostic assessments, and psycho-legal assessments.
Education
- Masters in Clinical Psychology (University of the Western Cape)
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology (University of the Western Cape)
- Bachelor of Arts (University of the Western Cape)
- I am currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of South Africa (UNISA)
Services
Services offered include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, trauma counselling and psychological assessment.
Fees are charged within medical aid rates. Cash payments are accepted.
PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES
Individual psychotherapy for children and adults
Individual therapy sets out to understand the specific psychological difficulties that an individual is experiencing and to implement appropriate solutions in order to alleviate the difficulty. This process incorporates the description of interactional patterns which may be ineffective, resulting in psychological pain and turmoil being experienced by the individual. Individual psychotherapy allows for the acknowledgement of the individuals uniqueness and facilitates the process to discover inherent qualities which may enhance their ability in overcoming the identified challenges.
Couple’s therapy
The benefits of couples counselling are:
Whilst working with the therapist, the partners acquire skills that will assist in establishing open communication, enable problem-solving as a team and optimally lead to the resolution of differences in a rational manner.
This form of therapy, depending on the context, may be very useful when dealing with crisis situations or life transitions. This application of psychotherapy is often short term and typically includes both partners. The specific treatment plan depends on the situation and in some instances, it is necessary to work with the partners individually, before combined sessions may commence. In some cases, couples discover that their differences truly are irreconcilable and it may then be prudent to explore the options that are available.
Family therapy
Family members do not live in isolation, instead they function in an interdependent manner to satisfy not only needs regarding practical aspects such as money, food and shelter – but also for needs regarding companionship, affection and socialisation to name a few. In such a system, individuals’ bond with each other through powerful, durable patterns of interactions that over time become the rules of the family.
Through the therapeutic process the family acquire skills that will assist in open communication, effective problem-solving as a team and enhance their abilities to resolve differences in a rational manner.
This form of therapy may be effective when dealing with challenges such as the family adjustment to diagnosis of chronic medical conditions, traumatic events, loss and change in the family structure.
MEDICO-LEGAL SERVICES
Psychological assessment refers to a process incorporating various scientifically valid and reliable techniques to measure specific aspects of human functioning. These techniques include clinical interviews, collection of collateral information and use of standardised measures and/ or projective assessment techniques. Assessment is always done with the aim of providing relevant clinical information regarding the reason for referral.
Assessments may provide valuable information regarding psychiatric diagnosis, psychotherapy, determining current intellectual and/or neuropsychological functioning or personality patterns that may contribute or interfere with adjustment to life circumstances.
Assessments offered include:
• RAF Assessments
• Neuropsychological Assessments
• Traumatic Brain Injury
Special Interests
- Psychology and chronic illness
The impact of chronic illness is multi-dimensional. From a psychological perspective impact refers to behaviour, emotions and thoughts associated with diagnosis and treatment, of chronic illness. In some instances, the impact of above-mentioned process may interfere with healthy adjustment since the patient does not acquire health related behaviours to mitigate the impact of chronic illness. The field of psychology sets out to assist individuals or groups to adjust behaviour towards quality of life.
- ADHD, Behavioural modification
- Loss, Grief and Bereavement Counselling
- Trauma Debriefing
- Anxiety and Fears
- Adjustment Problems
- Stress Management
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Substance Use Disorder
- Marital/ couple conflict