by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 22, 2025
I am a counselling psychologist, committed to fostering psychological wellbeing, resilience, and growth across diverse populations. My practice is guided by empathy, ethical responsibility, and a person-centered approach, which allows me to support clients in navigating life transitions, relationships, and personal challenges with care and integrity.
Alongside my clinical work, I hold a strong interest in the evolving relationship between psychology and artificial intelligence. I am particularly drawn to examining how AI can be ethically integrated into mental health support, education, and research, while also addressing critical questions about bias, human identity, and the role of technology in shaping relationships. This dual focus enables me to contribute to conversations at the intersection of human development and technological innovation.
By combining counselling psychology with an interest in AI, I aim to advance approaches that remain human-centered, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I am passionate about the future of psychology in an increasingly digital world and committed to ensuring that advances in technology continue to reflect the values of care, ethics, and human connection.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 22, 2025
Dr Wylene Saal is currently a senior lecturer in Psychology at Sol Plaatje University. She holds a PhD in Research Psychology from the University of Stellenbosch, and her work focused on common mental disorders (i.e., major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder) among people seeking HIV testing in the Western Cape. Prior to this, she worked as a Research Officer at the Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town. Dr Saal recently focused on research exploring suicidality, stigma, gender-based violence, and mental health among adolescents living with HIV and/ or adolescent mothers. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, maternal mental health, HIV, research methodology and health psychology.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 22, 2025
Ms Lindiwe Mabena has qualifications degrees in: Bcur Nursing (MEDUNSA), BSc Honours in Psychology (MEDUNSA) and Maters in Clinical Psychology (UNISA). She brings a wealth of experience from government, non-governmental and private sectors, where she has also served on boards and subcommittees. Her professional journey includes expertise in mental health; psychiatry; psychometric assessment and psychosocial support. She has competencies in clinical, educational, forensic, neuropsychology and medicolegal evaluations. She also has experience in rehabilitation and clinical trial research. She has contributed to programmes supporting orphaned & vulnerable, including children in conflict with the law. She has authored articles on HIV management, restorative justice, and an article on psychosocial support. Additionally, her expertise covers disability management, organisational development, and human resource management. Through these varied roles, she has proven knowledge in policy development, understanding of regulations and legislations. She previously served as a member of the South African society for Clinical Psychology Division (SASCP) Subcommittee, holding the positions of Deputy Chairperson, General Secretary, and treasurer. Her participation in community has seen her playing a pivotal role in other boards outside psychology.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 22, 2025
Zindi Venter is a Postgraduate Assistant in the Department of Psychology at UNISA, currently completing her PhD in Psychology. Her research explores how South Africans experience plant-based foods, using a mixed-method approach to examine the theme, “We eat almost as if the future does not matter.” She supports the Engaged Scholarship Online project, Towards LGBTQI+ Health and Well-being, under Prof. J.A. Nel, and played an administrative role in revising the PsySSA Practice Guidelines for Psychology Professionals Working with Sexually and Gender-Diverse People. Zindi was also part of the organising committee for the 2024 International Network of Hate Studies conference and led the Scientific Committee for the 8th Southern African Students’ Psychology Conference (2025). She serves on the Executive Committee for the Division for Research and Methodology (2025–2027) and is the Volunteer Coordinator for the 29th Annual South African Psychology Congress. As a PGA, she manages planning, coordination, and budgeting responsibilities, and contributes to teaching, research, and learning. She also co-lectures and marks the Honours module, Psychological Assessment (PYC4807). Her academic interests include health psychology, social norms, and attitudes. Her work promotes awareness of how behaviour is shaped by perception, culture, and control.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 22, 2025
I am a Senior Psychology Lecturer at Cornerstone Institute with nearly a decade of experience in lecturing, research supervision, farming, and previous management roles in the retail and hospitality sectors. I am proficient in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and analyses, module and curriculum development, moderation, assessment development, and online teaching technologies. I obtained a Master of Arts in Research Psychology (structured) from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in 2016 and am currently reading for a Ph.d. in Psychology at the same institution. I have had the privilege of presenting at the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), at the Monash University Australia conference, and other institutions. Above all, I love people- especially my wife and two children- and aspire to make a meaningful difference in my communities.
