MA Counselling Psychologists initiate a Psychological Service at Daspoort Clinic

Posted on January 16, 2023

Globally, there is a focus in improving access to mental health care to most vulnerable populations. In reference to global health concerns and the need to improve accessibility of mental health care services, the Department of Psychology, MA Counselling Psychology students have been engaged in the initiation of a psychological consultation service. This service was initiated by the M1 Counselling Psychology group in 2021-2022 at the Daspoort Policlinic, in Pretoria West. The students are supervised by the MA Counselling Psychology, Coordinator and Clinical supervisor training team in providing a therapeutic and assessment service.
 
The vast majority of clinic patients and clients at Daspoort Clinic are seen to experience significant health disparities, live at or below the poverty line, and are frequently faced by intersecting health, mental health, and substance abuse problems. In the city of Tshwane, the service extends to the nearby informal settlements of Malusi and Zama Zama.
 
As part of the practicum exposure, the trainee Psychologists, gain in skill and competence in application of psychotherapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Person Centred, Brief Solutions focused therapy, Child Therapy and Trauma management. Contemporary approaches such as Positive Psychology interventions and Integrative Psychology have also become increasingly popular in application in such resource constrained sites. Psychological assessment services are currently limited to the provision of basic screening services for learning and psychological disorders, however there are plans to develop a more comprehensive assessment service that will include career and skills assessments. Students also gain in practicum exposure to managing and referring outpatients manifesting with neurological and clinical conditions.
Core to trainees developing their identity as professionals in Counselling Psychology is a focus on developing competencies such as prevention, health promotion, holistic care and interprofessional collaboration. “This focus is seen as critical for trainees to contribute and drive agency in society as scientist practitioner advocates. 
 
Our students have also been able to contribute on international (University of Minho) and local platforms (Psychological Society of South Africa, PsySSA) to enhance their abilities and community practitioner engagement skills”- Dr Kamilla Rawatlal (MA Counselling Psychology Programme Manager).
 
We would also like to acknowledge Mr Kennedy Mafala, Dr Tania Boshoff and Dr Gerhard Botha, (UP, Department of Family Medicine), for their role in supporting the students with the coordination of the service at the Clinic.
- Author Class of 2022 - MA Counselling Psychology

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