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Our Network of Associates

The Couch Hand Shake

Augmenting our Private Practice of Psychology, we have the fortune and pleasure of working with a diverse and talented network of people and institutions. Some of these include:

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Throughout the year, we provide our services free of charge for four individuals or families who need therapy, but lack the resources to see a therapist. This rotation of four is maintained throughout the year and interested participants apply via e-mail where after a selection process is conducted to decide who fills those slots.

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The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) was established by Professor Helen Rees in 1994 to support the new South African government formulate and implement new national policies around sexual and reproductive health.

Today we are one of the leading multi-disciplinary institutes in Africa with an extensive portfolio that includes research, programmatic support, training, policy development, health systems strengthening and technical assistance at national and international levels. Our areas of expertise encompass HIV, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).

Wits RHI HQ
Hillbrow Health Precinct
22 Esselen Street
Hillbrow
2001
Johannesburg
South Africa

WitsRHIlogo
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute

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Tamlyn Anderson

Registered Clinical Psychologist

Practice Number:  0485845

Tamlyn AndersonMy Story

The Couch Light

I am a psychodynamically trained Clinical Psychologist who believes strongly in tailoring therapy to an individual’s personal needs. I place emphasis on the importance of the patient-therapist relationship, in order to ensure  a safe and meaningful therapeutic journey. I enjoy using interactive, eclectic and mindfulness-based approaches to help individuals reach the best possible potential within their lives.

I obtained my Masters degree at the University of the Witwatersrand and completed my training at the Tara Moross Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. During my internship at Tara I was involved with individual therapy, DBT-based group work, support groups and family therapy interventions. I also worked with individuals suffering from severe depression, anxiety and psychopathology. At Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, I found a passion working with various forms of illness in children and adults, as well as designed and developed group work for suicidal teens and parenting skills-based work.

After I completed my training, my private practice was run at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital for 5 years, where I specialized in trauma and reintegration therapy with patients who have suffered severe physical trauma. This included spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic injuries, autoimmune disease, and near drownings. Therapy focus was trauma interventions as well as work with premorbid psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, psychosis and personality disorders. The forms of treatment included psychodynamic therapy, sexual education, preparation for integration back into society, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), sexual therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury, Mindfulness techniques, supportive work, parental guidance counselling, family therapy and play therapy.

During this time I was also a lecturer at Monash University, where I designed and implemented honours and third-year modules. I enjoy teaching and providing supervision to students, as well as fellow colleagues.

For the last 6 years, I have been involved with specialized work in the field of Functional Neurological Disorder, whereby I am affiliated with Wits Donald Gordan Medical Hospital. My work has included individual based therapy, designing and leading Educational seminars for individuals with functional neurological disorder and their family members, as well as designing group- based work. In this setting I collaborate within a multidisciplinary team consisting of, neurologists, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, physiotherapists and academics.

For the last two years I have worked at my private practice in Linden. I have a passion for working with depression, anxiety, sexual health matters, burnout, dissociative disorders, pre and post birth therapy and parenting therapy. My aim is to help others in their journey to find an authentic and meaningful relationship with themselves, within their interpersonal relationships, and with the world around them. I believe in a process which allows an individual to have a deeper understanding of their emotions and thoughts, in such a way that they feel they can become owners of their life choices and behaviours. By having a more authentic relationship with the self, as well as past, present, and future, an individual has the potential to become the best possible version of themselves.

My Qualifications

Tamlyn Anderson the couchClinical Psychology

B.A. Psych (Wits), B.A. Hons psych (wits), M.A. Clin psych (Wits)

My Clinical Experience

Independent Private Practice Clinical Psychologist

Current

  • Clinical psychologist in private practice

Clinical psychologist at the Brain and Mind Centre, Donald Gordan Medical Hospital

(2013- Current)

Out-patient and in-patient psychotherapy, group work and psychoeducation for individuals diagnosed with Functional Neurological Condition.

Head Psychologist at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital

(2013-2018)

  • Trauma therapy, reintegration therapy and psychoeducation for stroke, TBI, spinal cord injury, orthopaedic, near-drownings, autoimmune disease and burn victims.
  • Sexual health therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury.
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Mindfulness techniques
  • Supportive work
  • Parental guidance counselling
  • Family therapy
  • Play therapy.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Child, Adolescent and Family Unit

(2011-2012)

  • Adolescent individual psychotherapy with inpatients and outpatients with psychosocial issues and psychopathology.
  • Individual play therapy for children
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Inpatient support and coping skills groups.
  • Suicide risk assessment
  • Psychometric and cognitive assessments
  • Screening and case management of emergency cases
  • Development and implementation of diagnostic-based children’s groups.
  • Parental Guidance Therapy
  • Family therapy

Tara Moross Psychiatric Hospital

(2011-2011)

  • Individual psychotherapy with inpatients with severe psychopathology.
  • Group work (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, life skills)
  • Collateral work with family members
  • Adult psychometric assessment (WAIS, MCMI and emotional projectives)
  • Family Therapy
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Cell: 0723401166

Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address: 57 1st Ave, Linden 

Important note for institutions and/or persons interested in contacting regarding any publication and opinion pieces; please ensure contact is made well in advance prior to your deadline as we are not able to guarantee availability unless an official booking has been made.

Universal Healthcare is a fully independent company, which is owner-managed by an entrepreneurial team with a passion for excellence and the strategic vision to deliver sustainable, leading-edge healthcare solutions.

Touching the lives of 10 million people, both locally and internationally, Universal Healthcare is South Africa’s fastest growing healthcare brand and an organization known for delivering world-class service.

Our full suite of integrated services fulfills the needs of major medical schemes, health plans and a growing list of blue chip corporate healthcare clients. Universal Healthcare’s end-to-end client-focused service offering provides sound value within the highly complex and dynamic healthcare environment.

As a fully accredited, full-service third party administrator and managed care organisation with a proven track record, we are established leaders in the provision of evidence-based, integrated healthcare solutions aligned to international best practice.

Universal Healthcare
Universal Healthcare

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The Wanderers Sports Medical Centre (WSMC) is a comprehensive sports medicine hub housing top medical professionals that serve the needs of the Gauteng sporting community. The centre is housed at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg where professional, amateur and school athletes from all sporting disciplines have access to top exercise facilities and a range of medical services.

Bidvest Wanderers Cricket Stadium
Corlett Dr & Rudd Road, Illovo
Johannesburg
087 980 0330

Wanders Sports Medical Centre
Wanderers Sports Medical Centre

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Occupational Therapist

NATASSHAAnnandaleMy Story

The Couch Light

I am thankful every day when I think back on the journey that got me to doing the job I love. I remember clearly the day that I discovered the field of Occupational Therapy at a University career expo - I loved the idea that I could work with any age group in a variety of areas such as physical, psychiatry and paediatrics, as well as the practical hands-on nature of the work.

Where I was most humbled in my journey as an OT was in completing my community service year, specifically in doing outreach clinics at isolated and poorly serviced areas of Mpumalanga. Working there taught me how important it is to meet every person in their circumstances, to not only teach but to learn from how others overcome challenges, and to celebrate the little things. From there I was privileged to work at Witbank Provincial Hospital that had at that time recently been upgraded and modernised. Here I learned however that even the best techniques and equipment will not enhance someone’s quality of life if they are not motivated and empowered to help themselves. It is here that my journey as a psychiatric OT also started- I did a rotation in the acute psychiatric ward and what was supposed to be a 4-week rotation lasted 8 months! I was fascinated by every patient’s story and thoroughly enjoyed working with patients to implement practical strategies to better manage with their diagnoses and create a rewarding daily routine. I was also instrumental in setting up an outpatient support group for chronic mental health care users.

Relocating, I moved to the private sector where I worked at an Akeso Psychiatric Clinic. Although I was involved in doing skills-based groups in the General Unit (depression, anxiety and personality disorders), I was mainly facilitating groups in the Dual Diagnosis Unit. It is in the DDU where I discovered my true passion. I loved facilitating skills groups (on communication and social skills, conflict management, distress tolerance and emotion regulation, as well as on boundaries). More specifically I enjoyed working together with recovering addicts on the 12-Step Addiction Recovery programme and brainstorming practical solutions to overcoming problems with reintegrating back into home, work and social environments after admission. I also developed an immense respect for every person who was incredibly brave in sharing their life story, vulnerabilities and mistakes openly and honestly. It is here that I learned the importance of being heard and accepted before one is empowered to change. That is why Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is my preferred framework when doing therapy.

In pursuit of building up my skills and experience I then embarked on my own journey. In the last five years, I have mainly worked in the medico-legal field doing physical and psychiatric assessments to determine suitability to return to work, and to recommend those professional interventions, assistive devices, pieces of equipment, environmental modifications and forms of assistance which may be necessary to allow people to function optimally at home, at work and in leisure activities. In doing this work I developed a keen interest in chronic pain. I gained considerable report writing experience and was also trained and accredited in the use of specialist assessment tools such as the WorkWell Systems FCE v2 and the Psychiatric Functional Capacity Evaluator. I am also working in paediatrics, mainly using the Sensory Integration frame of reference in treating children with sensory processing disorders, auditory processing disorders, learning difficulties, concentration and impulsivity difficulties, gross motor and coordination impairment as well as social impairment. I have learnt a great deal regarding the plasticity of the human brain and how a sensory diet and the correct sensory ergonomics can help children, adolescents and adults in leading more productive and fulfilling lives. Additionally, I co-facilitate adolescent DBT groups.

I believe that my journey and culmination of interests and skills thus far has equipped me in delivering holistic and practical assistance to clients who are having difficulties in coping with areas of life including work, social, leisure or home management. I love working collaboratively with clients in discovering and unpacking their unique strengths and challenges, offering therapy using a variety of frameworks to build coping skills, assessing and adjusting environments and support systems to better facilitate personal growth and success, and to provide ongoing support and encouragement when needed. My wish for each person that crosses my path is to have a happy, healthy and satisfying life!

My Qualifications

Natasha

Occupational therapist

  • B(OT) UP
  • WorkWell Systems FCE v2 accreditation
  • Psychiatric Functional Capacity Evaluator accreditation
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy certificates
  • Practice number 050 8640

My Clinical Experience

January 2011 – December 2011

Ermelo Provincial Hospital: Community Service Occupational Therapist.

January 2012 – September 2013

 Witbank Provincial Hospital: Junior/ Grade 1 Occupational Therapist.

August 2013 – March 2015

Akeso Psychiatric Clinic: Facilitating skills-based group therapy.

April 2015 – March 2017

ReintergrateOT: Medico-legal Occupational Therapist carrying out and reporting on Functional Capacity Evaluations.

September 2015 – August 2018

WholenessOT: Paediatric Occupational Therapist addressing learning delays in children using a Sensory Integration frame of reference.

March 2017 – current

Catherine Rice Occupational Therapists: Medico-legal Occupational Therapist carrying out and reporting on Functional Capacity Evaluations.

October 2017 – current

The Day Clinic: Psychiatric Occupational Therapist facilitating adolescent group therapy using Dialectical Behavioural Therapy principles


We are not able to guarantee availability unless an official booking has been made.

At Mind + Me we have a dynamic team of Educational Psychologists collaborating to provide tailored support for a variety of concerns. We offer therapeutic and assessments service for children, adolescents, adults and families. We have two established practices, one in Bedfordview, Germiston, and the other in Sundowner, Randburg.

Mind Mewww.mindandme.co.za

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Akeso is a psychiatric rehabilitation hospital for acute mental illness and substance abuse.

At Akeso, we serve in providing:

  • Complete Psychiatric Assessment and Clinical Diagnosis.

  • Supportive Therapy.

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

  • Family Therapy / Family Meetings.

  • Couples Therapy.

  • Psycho-Education.

  • Therapy for Substance Abuse.

  • Trauma Debriefing.

  • Therapy as part of a Multidisciplinary Team.

Akeso Psychiatric Hospital (Parktown)www.akeso.co.za

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The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is at the forefront of patient advocacy, education and destigmatisation of mental illness in the country. Its expertise lies in assisting patients and callers throughout South Africa with mental health queries.

SADAG is a Non-Profit Organisation and has on its board a powerful team of Patients, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and General Practitioners. SADAG was established twenty years ago to serve as a support network for the thousands of South Africans who live with mental health problems. Currently, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people will, or do, suffer from a mental illness. SADAG manages a 16-line counselling-and-referral call centre, and is the voice of patient advocacy, working in urban, peri-urban, and the most rural communities across South Africa.

As an associate, we form part of SADAG's referral network, as well as provide relevant training for counsellors and staff.

SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group)
www.sadag.org

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Throughout the year, we provide our services free of charge for four individuals or families who need therapy, but lack the resources to see a therapist. This rotation of four is maintained throughout the year and interested participants apply via e-mail whereafter a selection process is conducted to decide who fills those slots.

Contact us