Yumna Zubi

My Story

Everyone has a story, and I am no different. Graduating from the University of Witwatersrand, with a Masters in Clinical Psychology, I interned at Tara H. Moross Centre and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. During my internship at Tara, I worked with both in-patients and out-patients diagnosed with severe psychopathology. Additionally, I was involved in numerous group therapies, developing experience with formulating and running DBT, in-patient psychotherapy and support groups for psychopathology. After Tara, I took up a new internship post at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Here, I worked primarily in the severe psychopathology ward for females where I conducted individual and group therapies. I also aided in managing the Suicide Clinic, performing multiple suicide risk assessments and interventions. Once my internship had concluded, I spent a year working at Sizwe Tropical Disease hospital.

During this period, I worked extensively with multi-drug resistant and extreme drug-resistant TB (Tuberculosis) patients and independently managed the Psychology Department, including the Paediatric Ward, for the first six months. At Sizwe, I saw individual patients, as well as created and conducted numerous supportive groups within the wards that focused on helping patients coming to terms with physical illness, terminal illness and death. Throughout my post at Sizwe, I performed the role of supervisor to the interns from Tara that were involved in TARA's Out-Reach Programme.

After Sizwe, I moved into Private Practice. In Private Practice at The Couch, I focus on providing therapies for adult psychopathology and hold a particular interest in Schizophrenia. My article 'Recollected Experiences of First Hospitalisation for Acute Psychosis Among Persons Diagnosed with Schizophrenia in South Africa' was published by the South African Journal of psychiatry and highlights some of the traumas patients with schizophrenia endure during their first admission to a psychiatric hospital.

Aside from my special interest and experience with Schizophrenia, I also possess a passion for working with couples. This passion blossomed into the co-creation of Grow, a workshop designed to assist couples in understanding the dynamics that govern their relationship and empowering them with practical tools to enhance communication, develop deeper connection and foster growth.

Now, that you know a little bit about me and my story, I am ready to hear yours.

My Qualifications

Clinical Psychology

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

My Clinical Experience

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital

July 2011 – December 2011 (6 months)

• Individual psychotherapy with in-patients and out-patients diagnosed with severe mental illnesse.
• Group therapies for in-patient
• Suicide assessments.
• Couples Therapy Dialectical Behaviour Therapy with out-patients.

T.A.R.A. Hospital

January 2011 – June 2011 (6 months)

• Ward 6 and OPD Individual Psychotherapy with in-patients and out-patients diagnosed with severe mental illnesses.
• Group therapies for in-patients.
• Family Therapy.

Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital

April 2012 – March 2013 (1 year)

• Psychoeducation groups for patients diagnosed with multi drug resistance and extreme drug resistance.
• Tuberculosis individual psychotherapy with in-patients.
• Group therapies for in-patients.
• Family Therapy.
• Bereavement Therapy.
• Play Therapy.
• Couples Therapy.

Sandton Psychology Centre

June 2013 – June 2014 (1 year)

• Therapy for couples.
• Individual Therapy for adults.

Akeso Psychiatric Hospital (Parktown)

June 2013 – Current

The South African Journal of Psychiatry

Title: Recollected experiences of first hospitalisation for acute psychosis among persons diagnosed with schizophrenia in South Africa.

Abstract: First-time admission to a psychiatric hospital for acute psychosis has been reported to be extremely traumatic, and this has not been adequately researched in the South African context. This study approached persons diagnosed with schizophrenia and explores their recollected, subjective experiences of their first admission to a South African psychiatric hospital ward for acute psychosis. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with seven participants diagnosed with schizophrenia. These were analysed using thematic content analysis. While some participants had positive experiences, the majority reported frightening, distressing, emotionally painful or traumatic experiences during their first hospitalisation. The first hospital admission was also described as having serious long-term implications for the person’s wellbeing, particularly as the diagnosis of schizophrenia made them feel isolated and stigmatised, which further hinders them from recovering from their symptoms and reintegrating into society. This study therefore draws attention to aspects of the process of first admission to psychiatric wards in South Africa, which may benefit from proactive intervention and closer research attention.

Official Link: The South African Journal of Psychiatry

Mental Health Matters

Article: Published in May 2015, this article explores the important role of hospitlisation in voluntary and involuntary admissions.

Official Media: Schizophrenia - Importance of Hospitalisation.pdf

The Sowetan Newspaper.

Article: Published on Monday, September 23rd, 2013 - this article centres around safety during sexual intimacy in relationships.

Official Media: Y.Zubi - Sowetan Article Contribution.pdf

Cosmopolitan Magazine

Article: Published in 2014, this article explores some of the psychological elements involved in brief holiday romances.

Official Media: Festive Flings.pdf

Netwerk 24

Article: Published in September 2013, this article explores some of the traumatic experiences felt by Schizophrenic patients on their admission to hospital.

Official Media: Dié pasiënte se opname is glo traumaties.