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Clinical Psychologist

Amy Gorven

Services Offered

  • Individual therapy
  • Couples therapy

Areas of Interest

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Bereavement
  • Relational difficulties
  • Severe psychiatric illnesses
  • Maternal mental health
  • Chronic illness

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Changing your Mind Set

Exploring and Growing

After completing a Bachelor of Social Sciences in psychology, philosophy, and English literature, I went on to do an Honors Degree specialising in psychology. Moving from the University of Cape Town, I attended the University of Johannesburg where I attained a Masters in Clinical Psychology.

As a student psychologist, I worked at Helen Joseph Hospital and Akeso in Parktown. To complete my training, I did an internship at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital and a community service year at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Now, I am in private practice in Craighall Park at the Peartree Center.

I have experience in individual, couples, group, and family therapy work and have treated a wide range of conditions in various settings.

I offer individual therapy to adults, adolescents, and children. I also offer couples therapy and group therapy.

Individual therapy for adults: A 50-minute session for individuals over the age of 18 that addresses any relevant concerns.

Individual therapy for pre-teens and adolescents: A 50-minute session for individual pre-teens and adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17. Talk as well as art or play are used as appropriate to each individual pre-teen or adolescent.

Individual play therapy for children: A 40 to 50-minute session for individual children between the ages of 3 and 10. Play is used to facilitate the child’s emotional expression and to better understand the dynamics of any current concerns.

Couples therapy: A 50-minute therapy session for couples who are dating, engaged, or married. This focuses on strengthening the relationship and addressing any concerns between the couple. Pre-marital counselling is an option.

Maternal mental health services: 50-minute individual therapy for expecting or new mothers related to various maternal concerns OR 40 to 50-minute parent-infant-psychotherapy which includes both mom/caregiver and their infant (1 to 24 months) and facilitates bonding and addresses infant concerns.

Areas of speciality/special interest: My work spans a wide range of conditions including anxiety and depression, grief or bereavement, and relational difficulties, as well as more severe psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder.

I have an interest in maternal mental health. This involves seeing pregnant or new mothers who may be struggling with things like anxiety or depression, adjusting to parenthood, or bonding with their new-born. I see moms individually or in a ‘parent-infant-psychotherapy’ which focuses on bonding between the mother and infant and addresses any infant concerns.

Finally, I also have an interest in chronic illness and, particularly, breast cancer. My masters research was in this area, and I am passionate about seeing individuals who need assistance in coping with an experience of serious illness.