ANGELIC NESPOLA AND ASSOCIATE PSYCHOLOGISTS INC
Book now by emailing: stellenbosch.psychologists@gmail.com
31 Bird street, StellDoc, Stellenbosch
The process of laying myself on this blank page seems daunting, but not nearly as daunting as entering into a therapeutic process. One of the main challenges is finding someone to enter into that process with. In order to mitigate that process and ease some of those anxieties, here is a little bit about me.
I am a clinical psychologist, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The journey began at the Nelson Mandela University, where I obtained my undergraduate degree (BA Psychology). I then went on to complete my BA Psychology Hons at the University of the Western Cape. The journey had its ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but it came to its natural ending at Stellenbosch University where I obtained MA Clinical Psychology.
This journey prepared me for further training at 2 Military Hospital where I completed my internship. The psychology department at 2 Military Hospital afforded me the opportunity to work through psychiatry, paediatric and medical in patient rotations with people from all walks of life. Following this, I completed my community service at Pollsmoor Management Area where I offered individual and group psychological interventions to convicted male individuals.
These experiences in these very different institutions have allowed me to work with a diverse range of individuals presenting with various psychological and emotional difficulties. I have been privileged enough to have a glimpse into the life stories in different socio-economic backgrounds. I have been lucky to hold and see the
vulnerable parts of people and watch them put their life stories in a way that makes a meaningful narrative.
Combining work and personal life experiences gave me a unique perspective in understanding those I encounter on their therapeutic journeys. I hold with high importance the establishment of a strong relationship as a healing agent. The fostering of genuine human connection is the foundation for understanding, holding and seeing the individual. This occurs with all ethical guidelines maintained and the utilisation of evidence based treatment/care.
I operate from a psychodynamic framework with influence from attachment theory and interpersonal theory. I do draw from other approaches depending on the individual’s needs, challenges, and goals.
I believe individuals are resilient, posses great strength, and a built to overcome adversity and its a great privilege to accompany individuals on their journey back to self or even a discovery of new, different parts of the self. It is through a authentic connection and relationships that one can safely navigate the challenges that life throws at them.
I am a clinical psychologist who is registered with the HPCSA and BHF. I obtained my BA with Honours and Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Western Cape.
I did my clinical psychology training at Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital in Mitchell's Plain. Following that, I did community service at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley.
Throughout my clinical training, I've had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people, which includes families, adults, adolescents, and children.
During this time, I've grown to admire the resilience, wisdom, and strength that people possess within themselves. I've learned that we all have our own life stories and that our stories help shape different aspects of ourselves.
All these components play a vital role in how we function in our daily lives. By becoming more conscious of our parts and story, we can choose to shape our story and live a healthy and full life.
Furthermore, my life experiences and clinical training taught me to go where there is no path rather than where there is a path, leaving a trail for others to follow. I offer therapy in both English and Afrikaans.
I am interested in providing general psychological services to diverse populations (with a diverse array of psychiatric disorders such as neuro-divergent and disruptive impulse control disorders, mood-related disorders, adjustment and anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, personality disorders, etc.).
I am primarily psychodynamic in orientation, with influences from a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). However, I believe that treatment should be tailored to the individual's needs, and I would adjust my interventions accordingly. These services will primarily be provided through a hybrid model (face-to-face/individual and online).
I am a Counselling Psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Offering face-to-face psychotherapy in Stellenbosch and online therapy to clients based in South Africa.
I offer a confidential therapeutic space where you can express yourself and be fully heard and understood. In my sessions I promote gaining insight into yourself and processing emotions linked to past and present experiences. I believe that to be able to connect meaningfully with others, we need to first connect with ourselves.
We will work to explore current difficulties and I will provide you with valuable tools to cope with life’s obstacles. In your first session you and I will discuss your needs and treatment goals to assist in personalising your therapeutic experience. Everyone's needs and therapeutic goals are unique, as well as the duration of therapy (where some people prefer short term therapy, and others prefer long term therapy). Seeking therapy can be daunting, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about therapy and the therapeutic process.
I use an integrative therapeutic approach to suit your needs and therapeutic goals. I draw from the following psychotherapeutic paradigms: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Person Centred Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Experience:
I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient facilities. I have worked in various private inpatient hospitals & in the Government sector (Gauteng Health, WITS Hospital Circuit). I have worked across the adolescent ward, general psychiatric ward and Dual Diagnosis Units (DDU). I have further worked in various NGOs and NPOs.
What I provide for clients is that one, unique space where you are able to fully be yourself, be seen for who you are, and have your true self understood, affirmed, and valued.
I aim to provide an open, non-judgemental, warm, and empathic environment within which clients can feel safe while navigating their journey of self-exploration.
My primary aim is to get to know you and also facilitate your own discovery of who you are. I naturally tend towards a focus on clients’ strengths rather than that which clients often see as “deficiencies” within themselves.
I usually start the therapy process by establishing what you would like to achieve from it. Sometimes clients come to therapy because they are struggling, but this is not always the case.
Clients can also enter therapy for personal growth and development, self-insight, or for assistance in reaching particular goals they wish to achieve. When your goals for therapy have been established, I will ask you to tell me a bit more about yourself, your life, and the experiences you have had in your life thus far. And then we take things from there. I am here to help you navigate the unique journey you are on, whether this is across calm or stormy waters.
I offer therapy in Afrikaans and English.
I am primarily psychodynamically oriented and mostly use framework within which I make sense of clients’ experiences and inner dynamics. However, in terms of the therapeutic process itself, I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities to best suit the client’s unique dynamics, challenges, and strengths. While this does not represent an exhaustive list of possible modalities used, my therapeutic approach includes the following:
If you have found yourself on this webpage, you are probably considering embarking on a journey of entering your own therapeutic process and I know that for some, that may feel quite daunting. Therefore, I would like to briefly introduce myself and my way of working.
I am a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. I offer face-to-face psychotherapy in Stellenbosch as well as online psychotherapy to clients who are based in South Africa. I offer therapy in both English and Afrikaans.
I obtained my undergraduate as well as postgraduate degrees at the University of the Western Cape.
I have worked with diverse individuals in both inpatient and outpatient settings. My internship training was completed with the South African National Defence Force at 2 Military Hospital, where I had the opportunity to work in the paediatric, psychiatric and oncology in patient services. My community service was completed with the Department of Health at Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital, specifically within the Child, Adolescent and Family outpatient unit. I also had the opportunity to provide psychological services to children, adolescents and adults at a local clinic. My experiences within these different settings have allowed me to work with people from different walks of life,
who presented with various psychological and emotional challenges.
My approach to therapy is rooted in building an authentic, trusting and safe therapeutic relationship between myself and you as the client, while upholding ethical standards for care and treatment.
Within the first two sessions, my main aim is to establish rapport and to gently gain information about you so that I can understand your need for therapy within this season of your life.
Together, we will then discuss a therapy plan going forward, that is best suited to your needs. I believe that there is no one modality that will fit all, therefore I invite you as the client to voice your needs, concerns and questions and essentially govern your process, with my guidance and support.
In this way we are able to co-create in your therapeutic process in order to align the therapeutic plan with your current needs or goals.
With that being said, my approach to therapy can be described as holistic and integrative. I have a keen interest in understanding the way in which the mind and the body can be affected by various experiences. My inclination is to utilise the most appropriate therapeutic approach to suit the
clients, presenting challenges.
Further to this, in my therapy I am informed by psychodynamic
theory, incorporating object relations and attachment theory. Where appropriate, I will draw from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Person-Centred and Solution Focussed approaches. My aim is to further expand my knowledge in order to integrate more recent and innovative approaches.
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