by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 19, 2025
Prof Elmari Deacon is a registered clinical psychologist (HPCSA 0073121) and obtained her PhD from NWU in 2008. Prof Deacon started her academic career at the PU for CHE in 2002, and is currently employed as full professor in Psychology on the Potchefstroom campus. She is also acting as the Director for the School of Psychosocial Health at the NWU.
Prof Deacon has a keen interest in working with children, health psychology and positive psychology. She has published 28 articles, with another 3 articles under review. Prof Deacon holds a C2 NRF rating and mainly focuses her work on the psychosocial variable in diabetes management.
by Web Admin | Oct 16, 2025
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.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 15, 2025
Dr. Louise Olivier is a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist. She has a special interest in the fields of forensic psychology, neuropsychology, hypnotherapy, sex therapy and clinical psychology. She studied at various South African universities after which she did extensive courses abroad in her fields of interests in the USA, Germany, Italy, Australia, Israel, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
She has published many articles and research reports pertaining to the needs and problems of the peoples of South Africa as well as on therapeutic interventions with children and adults. She lectures extensively nationally and internationally in hypnotherapeutic techniques, ethics, forensic work etc. Internationally, she has been invited to present workshops in Sweden, Israel, Australia, USSR, Germany, United Kingdom, USA and Ireland.
Professionally she was a member of the Professional Board of Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa and Chairperson of the Preliminary Committee of Enquiry of many years. She was a co-writer of the Ethical Rules pertaining to the Profession of Psychology.
She is also an Executive member of the Psychological Society of South Africa and SASCH and has been President of PsySSA twice.
She was awarded the Laureate Award for 2009 from the University of Pretoria for her national and international contribution in Psychology and forensic psychology.
At present she is in private practice but also lectures at various South African universities and universities abroad.
by Web Admin | Oct 15, 2025
Barry Viljoen is a Clinical Psychologist working in the public sector. He is involved in academics in terms of training. His areas of interests are child and adolescent psychology, psychology within forensic settings, assessment, and critical disability studies. He is currently completing his Dpsych in Child and Adolescent Psychology.
by Web Admin | Oct 15, 2025
Dr Matome Jack Mashiapata is registered as an Educational Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) with over three decades of experience as a Lecturer in teacher training college, High school teacher, an Educational Specialist in the Psychological services of the Department of Education, Student counsellor and Manager of services for students with disabilities in higher education.
