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Joanna is a registered Clinical Psychologist from the University of the Witwatersrand and Director of Bella Vida Centre Bedfordview. Additionally she holds a B.A Communications Degree and an Honours Degree in Business Management and Psychology from the University of the Free State and the University of Johannesburg respectively.
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 Her clinical training was conducted at the Tara Hospital (Children’s Outpatient Clinic), a reputable psychiatric hospital in Johannesburg as well as at the Child and Adolescent Ward of Johannesburg General Hospital. She also gained extensive working experience in various Community Clinics in the surrounding impoverished areas where her passion and LIFE PURPOSE for uplifting and empowerment was employed. Joanna is inspired by lifelong learning and continuous development keeping her stimulated with novel psychotherapeutic tools so as to share her loving service to her community.
Prior to her clinical training, she worked for a few years at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group,an NGO advocating the rights of the psychiatrically ill and psycho-educating the public about Psychiatric Disorders. Within the NGO Joanna’s profile includedProject Manager, fundraising projects, counselling as well as psycho-education to individuals, schools, organisations and the mass media. She also facilitated training for the lay counsellors. Joanna was a lecturer of Business Management and Communication for tertiary learners at Damelin College in Johannesburg.
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Her areas of clinical interest include working with children as young as two years, adolescents, adults, trauma-debriefing (utilising EMDR- Eye movement and Desensitisation and Reprocessing), bereavement/loss,self-esteem, relationship dynamics using Imago Therapy and Psychiatric Disorders, particularly Depression, Anxiety and Sexual Disorders for all ages.
Joanna has featured in national and international media (television,radio and print) as it brings her great joy to share her wisdom to assist in transformation. Her special gift lies in facilitating children and adolescents develop the skills necessary for a happy and fulfilled life, and to help them recognise the light that shines within. She likes to work holistically and address the family system at large. Joanna’s mission and lifelong dream is to make a difference as a healer, facilitator and teacher, thus has joined hands with Ilze van der Merwe, CEO of Bella Vida Centre, to express the same vision -to transform and bring shifts in the world.
“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one” –Marianne Williamson
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