Leonie Vorster is a Research Psychologist, dedicated to ensuring the effective and just use of information for decisive, positive impact. She is passionate about delivering ethically sourced, accessible, and actionable information that is personally, socially, and commercially valuable.
Ashley van Heerden is a Clinical Psychologist practising in the Western Cape. She holds a Master of Social Science (Clinical Psychology) and a Master of Social Science (Research Psychology). She also holds certifications in Programme Management (University of Geneva) and Gestalt Therapy.
Under the umbrella of the United Nations, she has developed and implemented relevant, cost-effective human rights programmes within the South African context, assisting numerous NPOs and being invited to present her work at national and international conferences. Broad areas of interest include developmental trauma and working from a social justice perspective, particularly in relation to LGBTQIA+ rights and gender-based violence.
Sanele Nkosi is a clinical psychologist at the King Dinizulu Hospital Complex. Having previously worked at the Westville Correctional Centre, his broad areas of interest include traumatic stress, masculinity, violence, developmental trauma and decoloniality. Sanele is passionate about increasing mental health awareness amongst the male population in South Africa.
Daniel den Hollander is a clinical psychologist who has worked in specialised mental health care, both in the public and private sectors. His expertise lies in voluntary, involuntary, and forensic treatment care, Complex PTSD and co-occuring addiction work. He has chaired the Psychology Professionals in Public Service Division of PsySSA from 2016-2021. During his term, PiPS became an established voice within parliamental NHI discussions and building key stakeholder relationships with other government departments (e.g. DBE, SARS). He is an activist for mental health care in South Africa. He is passionate about cultivating and promoting empowerment and change: may it be in the therapy room, on radio, at governmental stakeholder meetings, or at conferences. He is a regular feature on SAFM Living Redefined, and contributor for the Mail & Guardian.
Bianca Barnard is an intern clinical psychologist completing her Master of Social Science (Clinical Psychology) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a history of community involvement and a passion for social justice, she has a keen interest in the field of trauma and trauma intervention. She has written her dissertation on psychological interventions for affect dysregulation in complex post-traumatic stress disorder, going on to consider interventions that demonstrate suitability for use in South Africa. She hopes that her PsySSA TVD membership, coupled with her understanding of trauma and suitable interventions, will help her play a part in actioning change against trauma and violence.