Melissa Bothma (Educational Psychologist)

Services offered to adolescent clients are educational and subject choice assessments, career counselling and individual psychotherapy to address behavioural, identity, self-esteem and social issues. Lastly, Melissa provides the following psychological services to adults: career counselling and guidance as well as individual psychotherapy which address a variety of emotional difficulties which include aspects such as loss / bereavement, personal identity, anger management, relationship difficulties as well as sexual health and education. Melissa completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch obtaining the following qualifications: B.Ed. Psych Honours, Post Graduate Certificate in Education and BA Social Dynamics (Psychology & Sociology).These qualifications resulted in her being a qualified high school teacher, school counsellor and registered psychometrist. The completion of her Masters in Educational Psychology, as well as her internship took place at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, working at various mainstream schools, special needs schools, a drug rehabilitation centre and university Student Counselling Centre. Melissa has also worked at Rustenburg Girls' High School in Rondebosch Cape Town as school counsellor and life orientation educator, which led to a particular interest in adolescent mental health and adolescents' relationship with peers and parents. Her research focus has involved adolescents' experience of the formation of relationships on MXit (MXit is a type of CMC- Computer Mediated Communication), and she has a particular affinity with the needs of youth in the 21st Century. Melissa draws eclectically from a range of therapeutic modalities in order to suit the unique needs of each individual and speaks both fluent English and Afrikaans. She provides psychotherapy, counselling, psychological assessment and career guidance with children, adolescents and adults.