Presenter bios:

Prof Debbie Kaminer (PhD) is a clinical psychologist, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cape Town and chair of PsySSA’s Science of Psychology Committee. She has conducted research on the prevalence and impact of trauma in South Africa and has collaborated with international researchers to adapt and evaluate brief evidence-based interventions for trauma-exposed youth.

Prof Jason Bantjes (PhD) is a practicing counselling psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Institute for Life Course Health Research (Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University). His research interests include suicide prevention and promotion of mental health.

Dr Maxine Spedding (PhD) is a clinical psychologist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cape Town. As a practicing psychotherapist, her research interests are largely centred on psychotherapy in South Africa and the development of accessible, equitable and meaningful public psychological services for anyone who would like to access them. She teaches in the areas of psychological assessment, psychodynamic psychotherapy and evidence-based interventions.

Dr Duane D. Booysen (PhD) is a lecturer in the Psychology Department at Rhodes University and a practicing clinical psychologist. His research interests include the implementation of empirically supported trauma therapies for PTSD in low resource settings. 

Suntosh R. Pillay is a clinical psychologist at King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex in Durban, and has been working in the public sector for over 10 years. He writes, teaches, researches and works within a psychopolitical framework as it relates to community engagement. He co-founded the KZN Mental Health Advocacy Group in 2015. He is involved in diverse grassroots initiatives for social change, including setting up free community support groups around KZN. He is on the executive committee of PsySSA’s Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division.

Ronelle Carolissen is a clinical psychologist and professor of community psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology, as well as the vice-dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University. Her research expertise and publications interweave two interconnected strands. Her work explores feminist social justice approaches to teaching and learning. She is the past chair of PsySSA’s Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division.

Avivit Cherrington is an educational psychologist with expertise in community development and system-level programmes for mental health and well-being. She is currently senior lecturer and Honours Programme Co-ordinator at STADIO School of Education. Her research has focused on critical thinking and engaged pedagogy in teacher education programmes to foster future teachers who are agents of hope and social change. She currently chairs PsySSA’s Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division.

Dr Helen Dunbar-Krige will be the workshop leader. Dr Dunbar-Krige was involved in a research project from 2016 to 2019 focusing on assessment and systemic support of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This project was supported through an earmarked grant allocated as part of the Teaching and Learning Development Capacity Improvement Programme implemented through a partnership between the Department of Higher Education and Training and the European Union. Dr Dunbar-Krige was editor and contributor to a book on guidelines for assessment adaptation of specific learning disorders in 2017. She was a research supervisor for many doctoral and masters students in educational psychology that focused on neurodevelopmental disorders. The executive committee of the Society of Educational Psychology of South Africa (SEPSA) will participate as co-presenters. Within SEPSA, there are researchers and practitioners at universities, private practice, and at the Department of Basic Education with extensive knowledge and understanding of various neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr Helen Dunbar-Krige will be the workshop leader. Dr Dunbar-Krige was involved in a research project from 2016 to 2019 focusing on assessment and systemic support of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This project was supported through an earmarked grant allocated as part of the Teaching and Learning Development Capacity Improvement Programme implemented through a partnership between the Department of Higher Education and Training and the European Union. Dr Dunbar-Krige was editor and contributor to a book on guidelines for assessment adaptation of specific learning disorders in 2017. She was a research supervisor for many doctoral and masters students in educational psychology that focused on neurodevelopmental disorders. The executive committee of the Society of Educational Psychology of South Africa (SEPSA) will participate as co-presenters. Within SEPSA, there are researchers and practitioners at universities, private practice, and at the Department of Basic Education with extensive knowledge and understanding of various neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dylan Evans is a clinical psychologist working in private practice and also Fort Napier Psychiatric Hospital, where he is involved in intern training. He enjoys tinkering with technology and therefore has an interest in the applications of technology in psychotherapeutic practice. This has led to research on how psychologists use technology in their practices and also the development of initial guidelines for telepsychology in South Africa.