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PsySSA DBT Immersion South African Tour 2025

PsySSA DBT Immersion South African Tour 2025

by | Jan 14, 2025 | Collaborations, CPD Opportunities, Events and Announcements, Practice and Techniques, Professional Development, Professional Resources, Psychology Events

PsySSA DBT Immersion South African Tour 2025

Join PsySSA and the South African DBT Institute for a 2 Part unparalleled training experience, combining online learning and in-person workshops across Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. With flexible payments, earn up to 56 CPD points and complimentary access to the DBT Institute’s Level 1 Library .

Ready to level up your DBT skills? Join Werner Teichert and the South African DBT Institute for an in-person training experience designed to equip you with practical strategies and real-world tools.
Cape Town: 23–24 May
Durban: 26–27 May
Johannesburg: 30–31 May
Earn up to 56 CPD Points
Includes free access to the DBT Level 1 Library (worth 40 CPD points)

 

Click Here To Register For Part 1 (Online)
Click Here To Register For Part 2 (In-Person)
Mr Werner Teichert

Mr Werner Teichert

Presenter

Werner Teichert is an international speaker and clinical psychologist based in Sydney, Australia. He was trained in DBT by Behavioral Tech and has trained over 2500 healthcare professionals across South Africa, Dubai, New Zealand, Australia and the UK.  

PsySSA Annual Psychology Congress 2025 – Congress Call

PsySSA Annual Psychology Congress 2025 – Congress Call

by | Dec 19, 2024 | Annual Psychology Congress 2025, Psychology Events, PsySSA Announcements, PsySSA Congress

2025 CONGRESS CALL

“Psychology in Society and Society in Psychology”

Considering psychology’s focus on human behaviour, cognition and emotion, it has a fundamental duty to enhance the mental wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. This encompasses assessments, diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems that impact on the emotions, behaviours and cognitions of individuals as they function and relate to others in society. At the heart of psychology is the promotion of psychological wellbeing, social responsibility, social justice, and community empowerment. Inevitably, this means that psychology must make a positive impact on society since what happens in society must be relevant for teaching, practice and research in psychology. The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) is committed to the societal impact of psychology and titled the Annual South African Psychology Congress 2025: “Psychology in Society and Society in Psychology”.

Psychology in society involves the scientific study of how citizens’ thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by fellow citizens as well as society’s leadership. Among the societal responsibilities are mutual respect and empathy and the celebration of all forms of diversity. Challenging discrimination and oppression should be a priority for psychology, considering the social justice and mental health imperatives. Additionally, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents unique opportunities and challenges for psychology, particularly in understanding human-technology interaction and its implications for mental health and societal dynamics.

Society in psychology is understood as a network of social relationships, customs, and traditions that contribute to how people interact with each other and how they live their lives. This is reflective across disciplines such as education, politics, anthropology, economics, the healthcare disciplines, and others. The many social ills that exist in society, such as crime, gender and community-based violence, poverty, and the abuse and neglect of children are just some of the problems affecting the nation. Psychology must be geared to meet these social challenges if it intends to be socially and contextually relevant in promoting psychological wellbeing.

Against this background, the PsySSA Annual South African Psychology Congress 2025 will be hosted at the Durban ICC from 14 to 16 October 2025. The Congress Committee welcomes presentations that focus on the congress theme and general areas of relevance to psychology. Submissions of scholarly and practice-oriented presentations, research posters and symposia are invited. The congress will showcase how the discipline can make a positive societal impact in promoting individual and collective mental health and wellbeing.

PsySSA looks forward to receiving your submissions and to your participation in this important annual event.

Click Here To View The Congress Call
World AIDS Day – 1 December 2024

World AIDS Day – 1 December 2024

by | Dec 1, 2024 | Division for Research and Methodology (DRM), Events and Announcements, Health Psychology (HP), Mental Health Advocacy, Mental Health Calendar, Psychology Events, Psychology in Public Service (PiPS)

DRM SPECIAL EDITION PODCAST
IN OBSERVANCE OF WORLD AIDS DAY 2024

“Take the rights path: My health, my right!”

This special edition of the DRM podcast, hosted by Associate Professor Bronwyne Coetzee of Stellenbosch University, in partnership with the Psychological Society of South Africa’s Division for Research and Methodology, commemorates World AIDS Day 2024. The discussion emphasises this year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” and the critical role of human rights in ending HIV. In this podcast Prof Coetzee is joined by Prof. Stephan Rabie an Associate Professor and Chief Research Officer in the HIV Mental Health Research Unit in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town, an expert in mental health and HIV. In the podcast they discuss the intersection of HIV care and mental health, discussing the necessity of integrated support systems and Prof Rabie’s groundbreaking upcoming programme of work on suicide prevention among adults living with HIV in South Africa. As we observe World AIDS Day 2024, it’s important to remember and recognise that protecting everyone’s health is intrinsically linked to protecting everyone’s rights.

Useful resources: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-aids-day/2024
Calls to action: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-aids-day/2024/calls-to-action

Prof Stephan Rabie in conversation with Prof Bronwynè Coetzee

Stephan Rabie is an Associate Professor and Chief Research Officer in the HIV Mental Health Research Unit in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town. The majority of his research has been devoted to developing and implementing mental health interventions in diverse settings. His research focuses on the intersection of mental illness and chronic conditions, with specific focus on HIV and behavioural adherence. He has provided academic oversight and managed several interventions focusing on HIV, substance use, sexual trauma, sexual and reproductive health, and community-based healthcare. He currently holds an Emerging Global Leader Award from the Fogarty International Center, focusing on the development of a suicide prevention intervention among people with HIV in South Africa.

Click Here To Listen To The DRM Podcast on World AIDS Day

HPD Division

PiPS Division

On this day we pledge to reaffirm that health is not a privilege, but rather is a fundamental human right. We call for the uncompromising commitment to ensuring that everyone regardless of demographic identity has access to the care, treatment and support that they not only deserve but are entitled to as a right enshrined within the constitution of South Africa.
HIV/AIDS continues to affect millions around the world; however, it is only through the dismantling of the stigma which too often hinders progress, that we will be able to offer the respect for their autonomy; to ensure their equitable access to prevention and treatment that they require. On this day, we reflect that our health is a right, rather than a luxury. The access to healthcare, education, and support systems are crucial for breaking the cycle of transmission and promoting a world where people living with HIV can thrive.
As we honour those affected by HIV, let us commit to fostering a society where everyone can walk the path of health with dignity, security, and the freedom to make their own choices.

PsySSA Registered Counsellors and Psychometrists (RCP’s) Meet and Greet – Cape Town

PsySSA Registered Counsellors and Psychometrists (RCP’s) Meet and Greet – Cape Town

by | Nov 26, 2024 | Division of Registered Counsellors and Psychometrists (RCP), Events and Announcements, Psychology Events

RCP Meet and Greet – Cape Town

We are delighted to announce the first in-person meet-and-greet of 2024 for PsySSA Registered Counsellors and Psychometrists (RCPs), open to both members and non-members. Join us in Cape Town on 6 December 2024 for a day of connection, learning, and professional growth.

Event highlights include:
Expert Insights: Gain valuable perspectives from a distinguished panel of experts sharing their knowledge across various domains of Registered Counselling and Psychometry practice.

Networking Opportunities: Engage with peers, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections to enhance your professional community.

Skills Development: Learn practical strategies and insights for navigating careers in both public and private sectors, with an emphasis on innovation and professional excellence. This is an unmissable opportunity to enrich your understanding of the field, celebrate shared goals, and contribute to the growing network of RCP professionals. We look forward to welcoming you to this dynamic and inspiring event!

Cost: Free for members, R70 for non-members and students

RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/RJk3vHuMy9Sy27Up6
Kindly RSVP by 29 November 2024

Click Here To Register

Guest Speakers

Dr Sehrani Symington

Dr Serahni Symington is an experienced registered counsellor, educator, and senior lecturer with a PhD in psychology. With over a decade in academia, Dr Symington has not only taught but also coordinated practicum programs, helping students bridge theory with practice in real-world settings. Her research explores innovative methods in counselling, such as using video games to foster connection with young clients, and she’s passionate about making psychological insights accessible to families. Based in Durbanville, Dr Symington is deeply committed to supporting the healthy development of children and adolescents through conscious parenting, family counselling, and educational initiatives, whilst remaining steadfast in academia.

Sharon Malrose

Sharon registered as a Counselling Psychologist in 2006 after completing her master’s degree (cum laude) at the University of Stellenbosch. Her internship provided extensive experience in both clinical and counselling settings through work with an NGO in Paarl and a psychiatric division at a local day hospital. While establishing her private practice, she offered school-based counselling services and collaborated with social workers in the winelands area. At FAMSA, Sharon specialized in family matters, qualifying as a FAMAC mediator and focusing on parenting plans and advocating for children during family transitions.
Currently, Sharon is a faculty member at Cornerstone Institute, where she lectures in Family Psychology and Psychometric Assessments. She actively supervises postgraduate psychology students, Registered Counsellors, and fellow psychologists. Her role in teaching, supervision, and private practice allows her to contribute to the growth of Registered Counsellors (RCs) and advance psychological services with over 15 years of experience.

DRM Webinar: Introduction to Survey Interviewing

DRM Webinar: Introduction to Survey Interviewing

by | Nov 19, 2024 | Division for Research and Methodology (DRM), Events and Announcements, Psychology Events

DRM Webinar: Introduction to Survey Interviewing

Join the PsySSA DRM and Leonie Vorster for the last PsySSA DRM webinar for 2024, and it’s free!

Date: 21 November 2024

Time: 12h00 to 13h00

MS Teams Link: https://tinyurl.com/3r96yj37 (no registration is needed to attend)

About the webinar:

Now more than ever, information from the Global South should be shared to ensure justice, equality, and equity for all forms of knowledge. This is especially problematic with AI models being trained and tested primarily based on information from the Global North. Collecting and sharing information that represents a plurality of bodies of knowledge is imperative. Survey research is one of the ways that researchers collect information, asking for answers to specific questions from a selection of people. Information from survey research allows researchers to understand, interpret, and even change the world. In this webinar, the focus will be on using survey interviewing to create quality data. You will learn about the role of the interviewer, how to ask great questions, how to deal with bias, a practical system to apply during survey interviews, examples of do’s and don’ts for survey interviewing, and the ethical principles to adhere to, to make sure that the credibility of your research is not compromised.

Can’t join us live? Watch all recordings of the PsySSA DRM Webinars and Research Podcast episodes on the PsySSA DRM YouTube Channel

Click Here To Join!
About the Presenter

Leonie Vorster is a Research Psychologist, chairs the PsySSA Division for Research and Methodology, and is the author of Five Seats, a magical realism novel. She strives to ensure the effective and just use of decisive, ethically sourced, accessible, actionable information, and actively promotes empowerment by seeking the furthest limits of the possible and imaginative to make a positive difference, while inspiring others to do the same. Leonie has completed more than 400 research and consulting assignments for government, semi-government, private, and not-for-profit clients in more than 40 countries across the globe. She has delivered more than a hundred articles, papers, and talks for South African, African, and global audiences, and has edited more than a hundred articles for online and offline publication, including conference papers, and research articles in international academic journals. Leonie has a legendary commitment to professional excellence and an unwavering passion for quality, ethical standards, and sustainable interventions.