by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 25, 2025
Willem is a practicing Counselling Psychologist who also works in higher education as a research supervisor and educator. He began his career as a biokineticist, an experience that shaped his ongoing interest in the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of mental illness. His clinical and academic work reflects a commitment to integrating evidence-based approaches into both practice and training. Willem is eager to collaborate with professionals who share his vision of shaping and strengthening the identity and future of Counselling Psychology within the South African context.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 25, 2025
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 25, 2025
Avivit Cherrington is an educational psychologist with expertise in community development and system-level programmes for mental health and well-being.
She is currently an independent consultant and a Research Associate with Nelson Mandela University, supervising postgraduate students aligned to the Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriSHET). She was senior lecturer and BEdHonours Programme Co-ordinator at School of Education, STADIO Private Higher Education and has consulted to various private education institutions on curriculum reviews and research capacity development. 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 has served two consecutive terms as Chair of CaSP, as well as one term as Deputy Chair.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 25, 2025
Lynne Richards is a South African clinical psychologist. She earned her Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kwazulu-Natal in 2024. Her clinical experience includes an internship at King Edward VIII Hospital and King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex in Durban. Lynne completed her community service year in the Umgungundlovu District, working at Fort Napier Hospital, a specialist psychiatric facility, and Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, serving a diverse community. She also provided community-level services at East Boom Community Health Centre. This experience deepened her interest in helping trauma survivors, especially children and adolescents dealing with difficult circumstances. Her postgraduate research examined how neglect is represented in psychological literature, reflecting her focus on often-overlooked trauma types. Currently, Lynne is the Chairperson of the Trauma and Violence Division (TVD) of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), serving her second term. She is also a Project Manager at the KwaZulu-Natal Mental Health Advocacy Group, contributing to advocacy efforts.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
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, Ecosystemic theories and Ethics, Legislation, and Professional Psychological practice.
Her research interests include indigenous collective trauma, historical trauma, indigenous knowledge and healing systems, decolonial theories, community health and well-being.
