by PsySSA-Web Support | Nov 15, 2023
Dené Du Rand is a Clinical Psychologist and full-time lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of South Africa (UNISA), where she is also part of the clinical team who is responsible for the Masters in Clinical Psychology programme. In the Clinical programme, she teaches African Epistemologies, Ethics, Legislation, and Professional Psychological Practice and Ecosystemic theory. Her research interests include: Indigenous collective trauma, historical trauma, indigenous knowledge and healing systems, decolonial theories, community health and well-being.
by Web Admin | Nov 15, 2023
Suntosh R. Pillay is a clinical psychologist at King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex, in Durban; and is affiliated to the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is a core member of the PsySSA African LGBTI+ Human Rights Project. His work is centred around critical, community psychology, including setting up mental health support groups and advocacy structures. His publications are available on Google Scholar and Research Gate.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Nov 15, 2023
Rivendri Govender is an Educational Psychologist who previously served as the Secretary of the PsySSA Student Division’s Executive Committee. She has previously worked as a Behavioural therapist at The Star Academy and currently works as a Project Manager for the KZN Mental Health Advocacy Group and SADAG KZN. Over the years she has had the opportunity to work with people from various backgrounds and this has fueled her passion to work towards advocating for the well-being of people with mental disabilities, especially children. Rivendri is passionate about working with the community and therefore hopes that one day she too can also be a part of moving psychology from the couch to the community.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Nov 14, 2023
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 BEdHonours Programme Co-ordinator at School of Education, STADIO Institute of Higher Education. She is also a Research Associate with Nelson Mandela University, supervising postgraduate students aligned to the Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriSHET). Her research has focused on understanding and fostering well-being and hope from an Afrocentric lens, as well as promoting critical thinking and engaged humanising pedagogy in teacher education programmes to foster future teachers who are agents of transformative social change. She currently chairs PsySSA’s Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division for a second term.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Nov 14, 2023
Geraldine Franciscus is a Counselling Psychologist, the Head of the Psychology Department and Senior Lecturer, at Cornerstone Institute. She has a special interest in Brain Working Recursive Therapy and Solution Focussed Brief Therapy and its application in the South African context. Geraldine enjoys being involved in collaborative research. Some of this research has resulted in a publication in the International Journal of Higher Education and Democracy: “Assessing the Impact of Outcomes-Based Education, Family Dynamics, and Psychosocial Stressors on Student Academic Adjustment in South Africa”. She is passionate about promoting community mental health and well-being. She is a past executive member of the Psychological Society of South Africa’s Counselling Psychology Division (SAACP), as the former Chair (2019-2021) and Vice Chair of the division (2017-2019). She runs a small part-time counselling private practice.
