by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
Vusi Mthimkhulu is a registered research psychologist and a lecturer at the University of South Africa. He holds a master’s degree in research psychology from the University of South Africa and completed his internship at Military Psychological Institute. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of South Africa. His research interests include emerging social norms that influence everyday behaviour of individuals. He is ready to contribute meaningfully to the PsySSA DRM Executive Committee.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
Kim Hayley Gabriel-Dixon is a Clinical Psychologist (HPCSA-registered, PS0105775) in private practice in Cape Town. Her work integrates psychodynamic psychotherapy with Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT) and mindfulness-based approaches, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed care.
Kim’s practice is deeply shaped by Black feminist, decolonial, and indigenous healing traditions. Beyond clinical practice, Kim facilitates healing circles, retreats, and workshops that center community, embodiment, and ritual as pathways of restoration. She has a particular interest in challenging the medicalization of distress and advancing psychological practices that honor cultural context, social justice, and ancestral knowledge.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
Dr. Guru Kistnasamy is a Psychologist in private practice at Chatsmed Hospital. Dr Kistnasamy is a community activist who is also mentioned in SA History online. He is currently a member of the Central Drug Authority, an advisory body to parliament on substance abuse. He is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, and a member of SAAMS. He writes a weekly column for a local community newspaper. He is a former recipient of the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Award. A former school principal, he is concerned about the educational well-being of our children especially those who are economically and socially deprived.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
Chris McLachlan is a clinical psychologist with a focus on sexual and gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ rights. He works at a Thuthuzela Care Centre with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and runs a small private practice. He co-chairs the WHO Guideline Development Group on transgender health and contributed to the ICD-11 Task Team on gender incongruence. Chris is a co-author of Standards of Care 8 and serves as Secretary of the Executive Committee of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). He also co-authors APA guidelines for psychologists working with transgender individuals and represents South Africa in the International Psychology Network.
Nationally, he co-founded and previously chaired the Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa (PATHSA), led the development of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Gender-Affirming Healthcare Guideline, and chairs the Sexuality and Gender Division of PsySSA. He is also part of the PsySSA African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project. Chris has contributed to PsySSA’s Practice Guidelines, the Toolkit for Mental Health Providers Working with Survivors of Conversion Practices in Africa, and national guidelines for SGD survivors of SGBV.
He lectures across disciplines, trains nationally and internationally, and has published widely. His PhD, Traversing the Gender Divide: A Trans Masculine Genderqueer Psychologist’s Journey in Be(com)ing, reflects his lived and professional engagement with gender diversity. He is also an ordained minister in the Reforming Church.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 24, 2025
Bianca Barnard is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Durban North, KwaZulu-Natal. She holds a Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology and has clinical experience across a range of settings, including tertiary psychiatric, provincial, and district-level hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.
Her lived experience and extensive work with trauma survivors informed her Master’s research, which explored interventions for affect dysregulation in complex trauma. She considered clinically relevant and contextually appropriate approaches for use in the South African context; where trauma exposure is prevalent and resources for intervention are scarce . Bianca’s clinical interests include nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, and the psychological impact of chronic stress and violence.
As Vice Chairperson of the PsySSA Trauma and Violence Division, Bianca is committed to ethical, socially responsive psychological practice and hopes, through her clinical work and involvement with PsySSA, to contribute to ongoing dialogue and advocacy efforts related to trauma and violence.
