Debbie Jameson

Clinical Psychologist

Debbie Jameson an independent certified Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

She is an independent practitioner who specialises in psychological assessment and psychotherapy and is committed to working with a wide range of psychological problems that affect adults, adolescents, couples and families.

 Areas of interest:

•  Anxiety and Stress Management
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Relationship issues (Marital / Couples counselling)
• Trauma (domestic violence, sexual assault, hijacking, accidents, robberies etc)
• Substance Abuse
• Grief and Bereavement
• Conflict/ Anger Management

Orientation and approach:

I use an eclectic approach, drawing from a number of theories, which may vary according to the client’s individual needs, including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Psychodynamic (TLDP – Time Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy); Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Narrative Therapy.

Most recently I have found that BWRT (BrainWorking Recursive Therapy) is a fast-acting and extremely effective way to bring change within the minimum amount of sessions. BWRT speeds up therapy by alleviating the overwhelming, uncomfortable feelings associated with fears, anxiety, memories or events. I am currently a Level 2 BWRT practitioner, trained by Rafiq Lockhat.

My approach for understanding couples in distress is based on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which helps couples identify stuck patterns of interaction and focuses on promoting more positive emotional responses.

I consider psychotherapy to be holistic in nature, which takes into account the whole person including their emotional, spiritual and physical environments.

Personal Statement:

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear” (Nelson Mandela).

Professional Qualifications:

• ​I hold a Master of Social Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal; a Master of Social Science degree in Health Promotion from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Cum Laude); a BA Honours degree in Psychology from UNISA (Cum Laude).
• My research interests include “Fear and anxiety in South African Secondary School children” and “The impact of interpersonal violence on South African adolescents”.

Experience:

• ​My previous work experience includes 6 years conducting individual, family and group therapy sessions; psychological assessment; forensic assessment of both survivors and perpetrators of sexual abuse; inpatient and outpatient treatment; working as part of a multidisciplinary team within hospital complexes such as Hillcrest Private Hospital, King Edward Hospital, King Dinuzulu Hospital, R K Khan Hospital and community health care centres, that offer services to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• 5 years private practice as a Registered Counsellor performing short-term, supportive psychological interventions aimed at enhancing personal functioning in a variety of contexts including family, community, school, work and sport.
• 4 years working at the Open Door Crisis Care Centre offering supportive counselling for victims of violent crime
• 1 year at St Augustine’s Netcare Hospital offering trauma counselling to victims of sexual assault.
• 2 years with the Red Cross (Air Mercy Services) providing trauma counselling to victims of violent crime in rural areas who do not have access to psychological services.
• 3 years tutoring 3rd year Unisa Psychology modules PYC3703 Cognition: Memory and Problem Solving and PYC3702 Abnormal Psychology.
• 6 years e-tutoring the 1st year Unisa Psychology module PYC1501 Basic Psychology.
• Facilitating a variety of workshops including Stress Management for the South African Police Services, Parenting Skills, Personal Growth and Life Transition Adjustment.

Practice No: PR 0667773
HPCSA Registration No: PS 0131059