RUSTENVREDE
@
OPTIMA
PSYCHOLOGISTS
​In January 2018 Dr Carin Bester and Dr Vanessa Marais established a psychology group practice at RustenVrede called Psychology@RustenVrede, providing psychotherapy to in- and out-patients.
DR CARIN
BESTER
I’m touched by the journey of each person I work with. Therapeutically, I aim to create a mindful space for each person to find meaning, grow and succeed in personal transformation.
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I consider personal transformation a life task for all people and the foundation of the work that I share with each patient as we work together in therapy. When other people transform, I also grow and transform.
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As Carl Gustav Jung said: “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
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DR VANESSA
MARAIS
Over the years, I’ve worked predominantly with all forms of anxiety especially relating to trauma, Panic Disorder and physical illnesses.
Major Depression and Postpartum Depression are also part of my clinical experience. My biggest interest lies in working with cancer patients, especially breast cancer. I recently finished my PhD in holistic therapeutic interventions with breast cancer patients.
I’ve always been involved with cancer patients throughout my 27 years as a Clinical Psychologist, and work very actively with them and their families. I also see terminally ill patients.
​Aiming to provide a specialised service to our patients, a carefully selected group of experienced clinical and a neuro psychologists were then selected to form part of the group practice.
CARLA
NORTJE
I am a clinical psychologist and work from a holistic, dynamic and in-depth psychotherapeutic perspective. I believe each life-narrative is unique and that every individual has the resilience and potential to overcome life’s greatest hardships.
As a therapist, I value the bravery in which it takes to seek therapy. I aim to build genuine and trusting relationships with my patients so as to foster growth, self-exploration and healing. It is my hope to understand individual experience and vulnerability which shape our perceptions and worldview.
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NATASHA
SMIT
I am a Clinical Neuropsychologist who trained in the diagnosis and assessment of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as other medical conditions affecting cognition and behaviour.
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I also have a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) - children, adolescents and adults. As a psychologist, I strongly believe in empathically collaborating with my patients in every part of the treatment process.
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DR BEVERLEY
PEENS-HARTMAN
As a Clinical Psychologist with a primarily Psycho-dynamic therapeutic focus, my aim is to try to enable you to open the door to your guided journey of treatment, restoration, insight, growth and renewal.
Breaking destructive and non-serving emotional patterns in one’s life and gaining insight into what underlies the development thereof, helps one realise how to go about re-architecturing your world.
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DR JENNY
ROSE
I am Dr. Jenny Rose, a clinical psychologist, parent-child expert and mom. I have worked as a clinical psychologist for 14 years, and am a specialist in the field of children. I obtained my PhD in the area of parent-child attachment. I also lecture at two local universities, where I am involved in the training of clinical masters students.
I am on a mission to make information accessible to parents, through providing resources, tools and strategies for everyday living. Raising our kids to be secure, resilient and confident is the ultimate goal.