HPSIG Podcast: The effects of infertility: A clinical psychologist’s perspective
EPISODE 28
HPD Podcasts
HPSIG Podcast: The effects of infertility: A clinical psychologist’s perspective
HPD Webinar: The Importance Of Digital Health Literacy
Health Psychology Webinar
ABSTRACT
Health literacy (HL) relates to knowledge specific to health information and is defined as the ability to access, evaluate, understand and use health information to maintain health and inform health-decision making. It is a multidimensional construct including a range of social and cognitive skills to improve health and wellbeing. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a significant increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and cancers. In South Africa, deaths due to major NCDs increased by 58,7% over 20 years. To combat the burden of noncommunicable diseases preventative strategies should be implemented and this requires HL skills. Insufficient levels of HL ultimately predict poor adherence, limited health enhancing behaviours and poor self-management. To improve HL, access to quality education and health resources are needed. People can access health information from many different sources, but the internet has become primary resource of health information. All information providers, including government and health services should enable access to trustworthy information in a form that is understandable and applicable for all people. In this regard digital health literacy or eHealth Literacy is paramount. By improving access to quality, credible health information and improving eHL skills, people can be empowered to manage and maintain their health helping to combat the burden of NCDs.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Gain a better understanding of health literacy and digital health literacy.
- Learn about the importance of health literacy and the implications of poor health literacy
- Explore the value of digital health literacy in the context of online health information use.
- Reflect on health literacy within a South African context and initiatives to improve it
Presenter: Dr SN Mostert
Date: 24 September 2025
Time: 13:00
Dr Sonja Mostert
Dr Sonja Mostert is a registered Research Psychologist currently employed as a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She is passionate about the field of health psychology and her research is mainly focused on health literacy and improving the mental health of people living with diabetes. She is a member of the Health Psychology Division of PsySSA and teaches several undergraduate and postgraduate modules including health psychology to both undergraduate medical students and previously to honours psychology students. Her primary research areas include topics within health psychology, specifically health literacy; mental health and diabetes; health behaviour change; online health information use and the role of psychological factors in chronic conditions.
Call for Volunteers: 29th Annual South African Psychology Congress
Call for Volunteers: 29th Annual South African Psychology Congress
We’re excited to invite students to volunteer at the upcoming 29th Annual South African Psychology Congress, taking place from 14–16 October 2025 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a premier event in the psychology community — gain practical experience, contribute meaningfully to the field, and connect with leading professionals, academics, and fellow students from across the region.
As a volunteer, you’ll support the successful delivery of the congress while engaging in thought-provoking sessions and dynamic activities. If you’re passionate about psychology and eager to learn and contribute, we encourage you to apply.
To apply, please submit the following:
- A motivation letter (maximum 200 words)
- A recent head-and-shoulders photograph
- The completed volunteer application form
For any enquiries kindly email Mr Muhammed Yaeesh Cassim at muhammed@psyssa.com no later than 08 August 2025.
Help us make this year’s congress a truly impactful and inspiring event. We look forward to working with you!
PiPS Webinar: Solution Focused Self-Care for Therapists
Solution Focused Self-Care for Therapists
Vicarious Resilience Instead of Burnout
17 July 2025
18:00–20:00
Online via Zoom
2 General CPD Points
Fees:
Free for all PsySSA Members
R200.00 for Non-Members
Presenter: Dr Jacqui von Cziffra-Bergs
Facilitator: Mr Jacques Pretorius
- Recognise burnout and compassion fatigue
- Debrief from secondary trauma
- Build vicarious resilience
- Sustain energy and empathy in your practice
Abstract
As psychologists we listen to stories of trauma, pain, hurt and struggle on a weekly basis. Being at the receiving end of emotional turmoil is draining and leads to therapist burnout and compassion fatigue. We all know that self-care is necessary however, we never seem to get the time to do it. This webinar invites you to some Solution Focused ideas on how to do self-care on the go and help you to regain some of your energy and passion. This webinar offers you the opportunity to debrief from the secondary trauma you might be carrying, experience vicarious resilience, and introduce you to a set of Solution Focused questions that you can ask yourself to rebrief your strengths and continue working in a healthy way.
About the Presenter
Dr Jacqui von Cziffra-Bergs
Dr Jacqui von Cziffra-Bergs is a psychologist in Johannesburg and the director of the Solution Focused Institute of South Africa. She teaches Solution Focused Therapy and Solution Focused thinking to psychologists, social workers, schools and organisations. Dr Jacqui von Cziffra-Bergs was an associate professor at the University of Johannesburg and still teaches at universities across the country on a consultancy basis. She has lectured extensively on Solution Focused Therapy throughout South Africa, the United States, Europe, South America and Dubai. Dr Jacqui has written 5 books and her latest two books: “Solution Focused Brief Therapy and clients managing trauma” for Oxford University Press and “Women’s perspectives on the Solution Focused Approach” for Routledge are highly acclaimed in the field. Dr Jacqui is married and has two sons that keep her feet firmly on the ground.
Mr Jacques Pretorius
Jacques Pretorius is a clinical psychologist and Chairperson of the Psychology in Public Service (PiPS) Division. He has worked across both public and private mental health sectors and currently serves as a full-time lecturer in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). In this role, he teaches and supervises students in clinical psychology, psychiatry, dentistry, and general medicine, with a particular focus on integrating psychological theory into health sciences education. His academic and clinical interests include postmodern epistemology, the philosophy and ethics of mental health, and ecological approaches that advance the interdisciplinary integration of health and well-being. Jacques has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. As a facilitator, he brings a collaborative, reflective style that encourages critical engagement and inclusive dialogue across diverse professional audiences.
RCP Webinar: What Makes A Good Assessment – Recording Out Now!
Did you miss the RCP Webinar: “What Makes a Good Assessment?”
Catch up on this insightful, ethics-focused session designed for psychology and HR professionals.
Guest Speaker: Dr Pakeezah Rajab
Gain practical insights into what defines a high-quality assessment in professional practice.
Abstract
Not all assessments are created equal — and as registered HPCSA professionals, it’s our responsibility to know the difference. Join us for a practical webinar exploring what makes an assessment scientifically sound and ethically usable. We’ll cover key criteria like theoretical grounding, reliability, validity, and fairness — plus discuss the role of independent review models like those from ASSA and EFPA. Perfect for psychology and HR professionals who want to make informed, responsible choices in test use.
About the Presenter
Dr Pakeezah Rajab
PsySSA & RCP Executive Member
Pakeezah Rajab is a HPCSA-registered Research Psychologist and Psychometrist, employed as the Senior Researcher at JVR Psychometrics. Her PhD topic (University of Pretoria) was non-intellectual factors that influence mathematics performance in South Africa. She has experience applying psychometric results to a variety of contexts, including schools, private practice, higher education, and corporate environments. Pakeezah has worked on numerous projects that developed, validated and/or standardised assessments for use by the South African population – including aptitude, personality, values, career guidance and emotional intelligence. Her research interests include cognitive functioning, student performance and assessment development.