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TVD Workshop: Working with Boys and Men Through a Relational-Ethical Lens

TVD Workshop: Working with Boys and Men Through a Relational-Ethical Lens

by | Mar 4, 2026 | Trauma and Violence Division (TVD)

 

TVD Workshop:

 

“Working with Boys and Men Through a Relational-Ethical Lens”

 

Are you looking to deepen your practice with men and boys? Join Dr. Shahieda Jansen for an essential two-part series that moves beyond symptom reduction into the historical, structural, and relational heart of masculinity in the South African context. This series is designed for psychologists and researchers who want to move past “problem-management” and toward a culturally grounded model of personhood that restores accountability and belonging.

 

Part 1: What Happened to Our Brothers

In this session, we shift our focus from individual behaviour to structural literacy. We will look at how colonial dispossession, migrant labour, and economic exclusion have disrupted traditional constructions of manhood and “severed kinship continuity”. Dr Jansen will introduce the Umoya personhood model, a relational-ethical framework that redefines healing as the restoration of relational vitality and dignity.

Part 1 Details:

Date: 24 March 2026

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

2 General CPD Points

Online | Free

Click Here To Register For Part 1

 

Part 2: Masculinity Meets Humanity: An Adapted Model of Masculinised Psychotherapy

The second workshop translates theory into clinical application. We will discuss the principles of masculinised psychotherapy, including: Activity-based intimacy, male-specific distress and emotional competence.

Part 2 Details:

Date: 31 March 2026

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

2 General CPD Points

Online | Free

Click Here To Register For Part 2
Dr Shahieda Jansen

Dr Shahieda Jansen

Presenter

Dr Shahieda Jansen is a clinical psychologist who serves as the Deputy Director: Academic & Technology Support at the Parow campus in the Western Cape region since 2016. Previously she headed the HPCSA accredited student counselling centre of the University of the Western Cape with oversight of counselling services and clinical supervision of master’s level national and international psychology interns. Shahieda’ s scholarly interest in relational humanity, and male-focused development was initiated by an accidental men’s group that she facilitated in 2009. Inserting the African multidimensional personhood (AMP) model between the personhood of the mental health practitioner and psychological practice is her recently published article by Taylor & Francis. Homo moyanus, not Homo neoliberalus: Socio-moral subjectivity for a transformed Higher Education is a book chapter that has been finalised for publication. Shahieda is the principal researcher of Unisa’s Community Engagement project: School Belonging for boys which adds another critical layer of research by highlighting the systemic influences on the academic performance of boys. Her longstanding commitment to prioritising humanity over gender is the subject of her book published by Unisa Press, Masculinity Meets Humanity: An Adapted Model of Masculinised Psychotherapy.

HPD Webinar: Chronic Pain and Depression: Understanding the Connection

HPD Webinar: Chronic Pain and Depression: Understanding the Connection

by | Mar 4, 2026 | Health Psychology (HP)

 

HPD Webinar:

 

“Chronic Pain and Depression: Understanding the Connection”

 

About the webinar:

Chronic pain and depression are two of the most prevalent and disabling health conditions worldwide, often occurring together in a cycle that worsens both physical and mental well-being. This webinar will shine a light on the bidirectional relationship between pain and depression, showing how each condition amplifies the other and creates barriers to recovery, productivity, and quality of life.

Drawing on research with garment workers in Cape Town, as well as broader evidence from occupational health, we will explore practical strategies for rehabilitation, mental health promotion, and workplace interventions that address both conditions simultaneously. By combining clinical insights with lived realities, the webinar aims to make complex research accessible, while offering practical approaches for health professionals, employers and health advocates seeking to break the cycle of suffering.

Webinar Details:

Date: 12 March 2026

Time: 13:00 – 14:00

1 General CPD Point

Online | Free

 
Learning Outcomes:
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms linking chronic pain and depression.
  • Explore the impact of co-occurring pain and depression in marginalised workforces.
  • Learn about workplace-based rehabilitation strategies that address both physical and psychological dimensions of health.
  • Reflect on how interdisciplinary approaches can foster resilience, dignity, and improved outcomes for workers living with pain and depression.
  • Consider practical examples of interventions that integrate mental health promotion with pain management in resource-constrained environments.
Munira Hoosain

Munira Hoosain

Presenter

Munira Hoosain is a senior lecturer in the Division of Occupational Therapy at Stellenbosch University. She specialises in workplace-based rehabilitation, with a focus on garment workers experiencing chronic pain and depression. Munira has developed workplace rehabilitation services in Cape Town’s clothing factories, optimising collaboration across disciplines to improve outcomes for marginalised workers. Her work blends rigorous research with narrative advocacy, making policy and health interventions accessible and emotionally resonant.

Click Here To Register
AI In Psychology Survey

AI In Psychology Survey

by | Mar 2, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence Division (AID)

AI In Psychology Survey

 

Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Practice: Where Do We Stand?
Artificial intelligence is no longer peripheral to psychological work. For some practitioners, it is a quiet productivity tool helping structure reports, summarise research, or streamline administrative load. For others, it raises immediate questions about confidentiality, bias, regulatory clarity, and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

The reality is that AI is no longer a hypothetical future issue. It is a present professional consideration. What remains unclear now is how we are engaging with it, how we evaluate its risks, and what professional infrastructure is required to govern its integration responsibly.

To answer this responsibly, the PsySSA AI Division has launched a national survey to psychologists and practitioners in training, and we ask that you please complete it here: https://forms.gle/uwdG2qrGYhcdMbpr8

What Is Actually Happening in Practice?
Across clinical, counselling, educational, organisational and research contexts, we are seeing varied patterns of engagement:

  • Some are actively integrating AI tools into selected tasks.
  • Some are experimenting occasionally.
  • Some are intentionally avoiding use.
  • Many are observing developments while waiting for clearer guidance.

What we currently lack is empirical clarity:

  • How widespread is actual use?
  • In which domains is AI being applied?
  • What risks are most salient in practice?What support would meaningfully assist practitioners?

Without this data, discussions remain speculative.

What the Survey Findings Will Inform

The results will directly shape:

  • A formal PsySSA AID Position Statement
  • Practice guidelines aligned with HPCSA ethical principles
  • CPD offerings tailored to identified learning needs
  • Practical toolkits for safe and bounded AI use
  • Policy submissions and regulatory engagement
  • Research priorities within the South African context

In short, the findings will not sit in a report archive. They will inform governance, education, and professional standards. If the profession does not articulate its realities, external narratives will fill the gap.

Ethics and Regulations

AI intersects with core professional commitments:

  • Beneficence and non-maleficence
  • Autonomy
  • Justice
    • Confidentiality
  • Accountability

The question is no longer “AI: yes or no?”, but “Under what conditions, safeguards, and competencies can AI be responsibly integrated into South African psychological practice?

An Invitation

If you are a registered psychologist, intern, academic, or practitioner in training, your perspective is essential.

Whether you are actively using AI, cautiously observing it, or deliberately avoiding it, your position contributes to the evidence base that will shape future guidance.

If you are willing, we invite you to complete the survey and add your perspective to the conversation. Click here to complete the survey. The direction our profession takes will be influenced by who participates in defining it.

 

Click Here To Read More
Click Here To Complete The Survey
PsySSA Member Sponsorship and AJOPA’s Inclusion on the DHET List

PsySSA Member Sponsorship and AJOPA’s Inclusion on the DHET List

by | Feb 23, 2026 | AJOPA, Events and Announcements

PsySSA Member Sponsorship and AJOPA’s Inclusion in the DHET and Scopus Tabs of The DHET List

 

PsySSA is pleased to share two positive developments for our members and the broader psychological research community.

As part of our commitment to supporting member scholarship, PsySSA will be offering a publication discount for accepted manuscripts in the African Journal of Psychological Assessment (AJOPA) in 2026. The first author (only), if a fully paid-up PsySSA member at the time of submission and final editorial decision, will be eligible for a once-off ZAR 4,347.83 (excl. VAT) discount on Article Processing Charges (APCs). This sponsorship will apply to the first 10 qualifying manuscripts. Further details are available on the AJOPA publication fees page.

Secondly, AJOPA has been included in the DHET (row 5) and Scopus (row 1021) tabs of the 2026 DHET list of accredited journals. This recognition strengthens the journal’s standing and enhances the visibility and impact of research published in AJOPA. See AJOPA’s journal information page for a list of the DHET-approved indices in which the journal is included.

We congratulate the AJOPA editorial team and contributors on this important milestone and remain proud to support platforms that advance psychological scholarship in Africa.

Click Here To View The Journal
From Classroom to Congress: A Student Preparation Series

From Classroom to Congress: A Student Preparation Series

by | Feb 19, 2026 | Events and Announcements, Featured Content

From Classroom to Congress: A Student Preparation Series

 

Got research but not sure how to take it beyond the classroom? This dynamic three-part series is designed to help psychology students turn academic work into confident congress participation. Whether you’re preparing for the PsySSA Congress or another academic conference, the series walks you step-by-step through the journey from writing your first abstract to presenting with confidence in professional spaces.

Across the workshops, students will learn how to craft strong abstracts, navigate submission systems, and understand what happens after acceptance. The series then focuses on turning your abstract into a compelling poster or presentation, followed by practical strategies for presenting with confidence and managing nerves. Supportive, practical, and student-centred, this series aims to demystify congress participation and empower emerging scholars to share their ideas in ways that are impactful, ethical, and authentically their own.

Online | Live | Free

Part 1: Abstract Writing Made Clear

Workshop Details

  • Date: 4 March 2026
  • Time:18:00–20:00
  • Cost: Free
  • Online via Zoom

Thinking about submitting to the PsySSA Congress – or another academic conference but -unsure where to start? This workshop breaks down abstract writing into clear, manageable steps. Students will learn how to turn coursework, proposals, or mini-theses into compelling congress abstracts that are clear, concise, and aligned with submission requirements.

The session covers what makes a strong abstract, how to stay within word limits, and common mistakes to avoid. Participants will also gain practical guidance on choosing presentation formats, navigating submission platforms, and understanding ethical requirements. By the end, students will leave with the clarity and confidence needed to take that first step into academic knowledge-sharing.

Click Here To RSVP

Part 2: From Abstract to Confident Presentation

Workshop Details

  • Date: 2 July 2026
  • Time: 18:00–20:00
  • Cost: Free
  • Online via Zoom

So your abstract was accepted – now what? This combined workshop supports students in moving from accepted abstract to confident conference presentation. Whether preparing for the PsySSA Congress or another academic event, the session bridges both the technical and personal aspects of presenting research.

Participants will explore how to transform written work into engaging presentations, learning how to structure content clearly, design visually effective materials, and communicate ideas in accessible and ethical ways. The workshop also focuses on the experience of presenting – including managing nerves, speaking with confidence, staying within time limits, and navigating questions and academic dialogue.

With a supportive and practical approach, this workshop helps students bring their research to life while building the confidence and skills needed to share their work authentically in professional psychology spaces.

Click Here To RSVP

Part 3: From Presentation to Publication

Workshop Details

  • Date: 9 September 2026
  • Time: 18:00–20:00
  • Cost: Free
  • Online via Zoom

You’ve presented your research – now how do you take the next step and publish it? This workshop introduces students to the process of turning conference presentations into publishable academic work. Designed for early-career researchers and postgraduate students, the session demystifies academic publishing and supports participants in building confidence to share their work beyond the conference space.

Participants will gain an overview of how to identify suitable journals, adapt presentations into manuscripts, and understand the expectations of academic writing and peer review. The workshop also explores practical strategies for structuring articles, responding to reviewers, and navigating common challenges such as rejection and revision. With a focus on clarity, integrity, and scholarly voice, the session encourages students to view publication as an achievable and meaningful part of their research journey.

Click Here To RSVP