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OPTIMA
RUSTENVREDE
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
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
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
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
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 psychologists and a neuro psychologist were then selected to form part of the group practice.
DR JENNY
ROSE
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
I am Dr. Jenny Rose, a clinical psychologist, parent-child expert and mom. I have worked as a clinical psychologist for nearly 20 years, and am a specialist in the field of children.
I obtained my PhD in the area of parent-child attachment. I have lectured at two local universities, where I was 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.
NATASHA
SMIT
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST
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
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
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.
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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.
LAUREN
NEVES
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
I am Lauren Neves, a Clinical Psychologist, nature enthusiast and foodie! I am a believer that a welcoming space of calmness, safety and reflection offers internal power irrespective of the reason for sitting across from me. My main aim in the therapy space is to take a holistic approach in unlocking doors into the internal world, creating insight into patterns and promoting a healing process towards confidence and resilience.
I have experience working in a private clinical setting as well as multiple state hospitals (psychiatric and medical) offering individual and group therapy to children, adolescents and adults.
LIËTTE WOOD
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST
Hello! I'm Liëtte, a clinical neuropsychologist.
My work focuses on neuropsychological assessments and diagnostics of neurological conditions affecting cognition, mood, and behaviour.
I provide care to paediatric, adolescent, and adult patients.
My areas of interest include ADHD, dementia, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injuries and epilepsy.
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SONET SMIT
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
I am a Clinical Psychologist with more than two decades of experience working across private practice, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
My work is grounded in creating a therapeutic space that feels safe, open, structured, and growth-driven. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and BWRT. I tailor each intervention to the unique needs of the individual, couple, family, or group I am working with.
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