Rob Hamilton

I have 30 years of experience as a clinical psychologist. I qualified in my mid-thirties – relatively late in life – having had diverse work experience, including banking, publishing, non-profit organisations, HIV research and training, and university teaching. Now I provide psychotherapy but remain involved in other forms of work – including in the past five years HIV research, health systems strengthening, evaluating community projects, editing and writing. Publications I have edited or contributed to include a trailblazing account of apartheid-era hit squads, a shortened version of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography for translation into German, maths textbooks, basic communication skills for medical students, and empowering rural women through crafts development.  I have edited books on a wide range of topics, including animal welfare across Africa, adolescent-friendly health clinics, encouraging men to utilise health services, comprehensive sexuality education in schools, university education in East Africa, developing financial literacy amongst disadvantaged women, transgender youth, and personal narratives of South Africans affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

My Approach

My approach to psychology is solution-focused: the therapy process evolves in a way that draws on the unique strengths of the client. I believe everyone has the capacity for growth and healing, and that through psychotherapy I can help my clients arrive at unique strategies and answers for daunting life challenges. My psychotherapy is informed by Carl Rogers’ person-centred philosophy, Michael White’s narrative therapy, Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability and shame, mindfulness, embodiment practices, and Gabor Maté’s work on addiction and trauma. Dialectical-based therapy (DBT), Life Training, integration of the shadow, Esther Perel’s work with couples, and imago couple therapy have also contributed to the ways that I work.

Travel off the beaten track to some 45 countries over the past three decades has broadened my understanding of the human condition, and helped me recognise the value of other cultural perspectives. I’ve learned to appreciate South Africa’s diversity, and recognise our unique challenges. Many South Africans have experienced – and some still experience – trauma such as racism, gender-based violence, poverty, ableism, ageism and crime. I try to be mindful of such issues and their potential impact on clients.