EXPERIENCE

My clinical foundation in mental health was shaped early in my career through work in a structured psychiatric setting at Witrand Psychiatric Hospital. This experience introduced me to the complexities of mental health care and highlighted the value of therapeutic engagement within multidisciplinary teams. After qualifying in 2023, I have continued to build experience as an occupational therapist across both public and private psychiatric services, with group-based interventions remaining a central and meaningful part of my practice.

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EDUCATION & PROFFESIONAL DEVELOPMENT

​I hold a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNISA. My additional training includes the OT Grow Basic Experiential Group Workshop, an Adult DBT Skills Crash Course, and a DBT Skills Deep Dive for Occupational Therapists

 

APPROACH TO THERAPY & INTERESTS

I understand therapy as a shared process in which clients are active participants in their own healing. Grounded in occupational science and informed by psychodynamic thinking, my approach allows for both experiential work and reflective exploration. I use occupation as a means to support emotional processing, identity development, and the re-establishment of meaning, rather than focusing solely on performance or skill acquisition.​

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What most draws me to mental health occupational therapy is its active, grounded approach to care. I am particularly interested in interventions that move beyond insight alone and support real-world change through doing, being, and becoming. My areas of interest include facilitating therapeutic groups, using creative and expressive methods, and working with individuals experiencing eating disorders, where embodied and activity-based interventions can play a vital role in recovery.

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PERSONAL INTERESTS​

Outside of work, I find balance through running, baking, and writing poetry, and I value creating spaces for connection through long, shared meals. These interests reflect my appreciation for creativity, rhythm, and meaningful connection in everyday life.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

romain@growingoaksot.com