Within our Psychology Department, we have Clinical Psychologist Dionne Jivan, and Counselling Psychologists, Matthew van Zyl and Jenna Hollocks.
Dionne is a Clinical Psychologist dedicated to supporting individuals through a range of emotional and psychological challenges. She holds a Master’s degree (MA) in Clinical Psychology from Stellenbosch University and is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Her therapeutic approach is integrative, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s unique needs. Dionne aims to create a warm, supportive, and confidential environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences and work towards meaningful change.
She is trained in a range of evidence-based psychological approaches, including Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT Level 1).
Dionne works with both adults and children, offering services that are aligned with individual client needs. In addition to psychotherapy, she has experience in neuropsychological, intellectual (IQ), scholastic, personality, and projective assessments.
My passion for psychology is rooted in my love for helping people who are at a point in life where they can no longer effectively help themselves. I strongly believe in providing holistic, sustainable care that promotes lasting psychological wellbeing.
Grounded in a person-centred approach, I view therapy as a collaborative process where we work together within a therapeutic space built on empathy, respect, and authenticity. Within this supportive space, clients are empowered to explore their experiences, develop deeper self-understanding, and move toward meaningful change. I draw on evidence-based approaches that foster insight, resilience, and long-term growth.
I completed my master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at University of KwaZulu-Natal and my internship at Durban University of Technology in 2023. During my internship, working within the broader socioeconomic context of South Africa deepened my understanding of the complex challenges individuals face and strengthened my ability to develop comprehensive, contextually informed treatment plans.
My clinical training includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy (PCT), psychodynamic therapy and trauma-informed modalities. I also offer psychometric assessments, including scholastic, cognitive and personality assessments.
Matthew is a Counselling Psychologist dedicated to supporting individuals through a wide range of life challenges. He is committed to creating a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental therapeutic space where clients can explore their experiences and feel genuinely heard.
His therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative, and integrative, drawing on evidence-based practices tailored to each individual’s needs. Matthew works with both adults and children, offering support for concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.
He holds a Master’s degree (MA) in Counselling Psychology from Nelson Mandela University and is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). His professional experience includes work within student counselling services as well as an acute psychiatric hospital setting, where he engaged with individuals presenting with diverse and complex psychological difficulties. These experiences have contributed to his nuanced understanding of the uniqueness of each client’s therapeutic journey.
