Nisha Rodgerson

My Story

My journey as a Clinical Psychologist started at Stellenbosch University, where I would attend psychology lectures that I was not even enrolled in. Eventually, one of the professors, spotting me regularly, encouraged me to switch my major to psychology. In a way, I have always felt that psychology found me. I went on to complete my Honours in Psychology at Stellenbosch University and then my Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Rhodes University. During this time most of my therapeutic work was done with university students and adults at the Rhodes psychology clinic. Thereafter, I gained further clinical experience during my internship at Fort England Psychiatric Hospital. I was afforded the opportunity to rotate through the hospital’s maximum-security unit, where I gained knowledge in forensic psychology by case managing criminally charged state patients and assessing observation patients for fitness to stand trial and for criminal responsibility. I then completed my rotation in the acute female psychiatric ward, where I focused on inpatient therapy, cognitive and projective assessments, personality assessments, group therapy and psychoeducation. Additionally, I worked in the neurological voluntary patient ward, where I facilitated group therapy, family sessions and completed neurological assessments. In this ward, I also aided in running a pre-discharge Mental Wellness Program that focused on: substance abuse, interpersonal effectiveness, open group therapy and anger management. Throughout my internship, I saw individual patients on an outpatient basis and my predominant focus was child-centered play therapy as well as working closely with students to optimize their learning and development.

Once my internship was complete, I moved into my community service year at St Albans Maximum Security Prison in Gqebera (Port Elizabeth).  During this period, I conducted comprehensive risk assessments and profile reports for the parole board as well as daily crisis management of remand detainees and sentenced offenders. I conducted family therapy sessions, facilitated victim-offender dialogue, and focused on suicide intervention and prevention. I worked closely with a team of medical staff and assisted with pre and post-test HIV counseling in the prison clinic and gained invaluable experience in managing rape crisis and trauma. In this setting, I also diagnosed and case-managed individuals presenting with acute psychosis. Most of my therapies conducted during this time were solution-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy.

After St Albans, I moved in private practice. I started my own practice in the Eastern Cape where I focused on children and school-aged pupils with learning, emotional, cognitive and personality difficulties. I have since moved to Johannesburg to continue my journey in private practice at The Couch.

As a person, I have a passion for giving, serving, and helping people. Psychology as a discipline and practice has allowed me to live this passion. In my work as a therapist, I aim to assist each client in reaching their intrinsic potential. I believe that this is achieved in a collaborative mindful space where sharing, growing, and learning can take place.

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My Qualifications

• BA Humanities (Stellenbosch University)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Stellenbosch University)
• BA Honours Psychology (Stellenbosch University)
• MA Clinical Psychology (Rhodes University)

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My main modalities of practice include:

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy,
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy,
Psychological Assessment,
Play Therapy
Couples Therapy  

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My Clinical Experience

Over the past few years, I have worked with children, adolescents and adults in psychiatric inpatient and outpatient settings at the Rhodes Psychology Clinic, Fort England Psychiatric Hospital, St Albans Prison and in private practice. I have experience working in acute and chronic psychiatric wards, a neurological ward and a substance abuse unit. I have worked with insight-based groups and with families. I have also gained experience working forensically with criminally charged state patients in a psychiatric setting. I have experience with trauma and working with children through my volunteer work at South African Medical Expeditions (SAME) in rural Mpumalanga, an organization that provides medical services and support to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, or children also infected with HIV. Together with a colleague I developed and implemented a structured play program for children at a pre-school level. I have also worked closely with schools and families while providing therapeutic services to school-aged pupils and university students in private practice.

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