MARILISE NEL

Work History

Counselling Psychologist and Business Owner

Mind In Motion Therapy Centre

01.2021 - Current

Conduct comprehensive psycho-educational assessments to identify learning difficulties, developmental delays, and educational needs.
Prepare detailed assessment reports with evidence-based recommendations and intervention pathways.
Prepare IEB concession reports and applications.
Conducted individual and group therapy sessions to support client mental health and personal growth.
Developed tailored treatment plans based on comprehensive assessments and client feedback.
Manage referrals and feedback with local schools including Telfair International Academy, Westcoast Primary, Le Bocage International School and Morning Star Christian School.
Facilitate feedback sessions with families, translating complex psychological data into actionable guidance.
Coordinate multidisciplinary referrals to child neurologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists, and other specialists, ensuring integrated care approaches.
Mentored junior psychologists in therapeutic practices, fostering professional development and best practices.

Counselling Psychologist

Pinnacle College

01.2019 - 01.2021

Delivered individual counselling and play therapy addressing emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges across primary and secondary school populations.
Conducted comprehensive psycho-educational and developmental assessments to identify learning difficulties and educational support needs.
Administered formal assessment protocols to evaluate students' educational, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Implemented career counselling assessment batteries including aptitude testing, personality evaluation, and interest profiling to inform academic pathway decisions.
Provided comprehensive guidance to students and parents regarding subject selection, and academic planning aligned to career goals.
Participated actively in regular case conferences with teaching staff, parents, and support teams to coordinate student interventions and monitor progress.
Consulted with disciplinary committee on behavioral misconduct cases, providing psychological insights and evidence-based intervention recommendations.
Built strong collaborative relationships with students, parents, educators, and community resources to create integrated support networks for student wellbeing.

Counselling Psychologist

Unity College Special Needs School

01.2018 - 01.2021

Facilitated individual and group therapy sessions to support student mental health and wellness.
Deliver targeted social skills development programs using evidence-based curricula adapted for neurodiverse learners.
Adapted therapeutic approaches to meet unique cognitive, sensory, and communication needs of each learner across developmental domains.
Conducted comprehensive psycho-educational assessments and prepared detailed reports for Independent Examinations Board (IEB) to secure accommodations and concessions for learners.
Developed Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for each student, integrating assessment data with measurable therapy goals and progress indicators, whilst working closely with all therapists and teachers.
Collaborated as core member of multidisciplinary team alongside occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and educators to deliver integrated care.
Facilitated bi-annual case management conferences with therapy teams, teaching staff, and parents to review progress, adjust interventions, and set future goals.
Designed and implemented parent support plans providing guidance, resources, and strategies for home-based reinforcement of therapeutic goals.
Demonstrated advanced clinical competence working with diverse special needs populations, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities.
Adapted therapeutic approaches to meet unique cognitive, sensory, and communication needs of each learner.

Counselling Psychologist and Business Owner

The Bona Dea Centre

01.2017 - 01.2021

Delivered individual and family therapy across developmental stages including play therapy, adolescent counselling, adult therapy, and parenting interventions.
Conducted comprehensive psycho-educational assessments identifying learning difficulties, giftedness, ADHD, dyslexia, and developmental delays.
Prepared detailed assessment reports and feedback sessions for families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams.
Managed complex referral networks coordinating care with child neurologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavioral optometrists, and rehabilitation specialists.
Provided trauma debriefing services for manufacturing sector, addressing PTSD and critical incident stress management.
Delivered executive wellness programs including stress and risk screenings for corporate leaders as part of organizational wellness initiatives (Discovery Health).
Pioneered online assessment delivery during COVID-19, adapting career and subject-choice assessments to digital platforms while maintaining psychometric validity.
Built and scaled practice from startup to established referral network, managing all client accounts, marketing strategy, digital presence, and networking initiatives.
Maintained ethical practice standards through regular clinical supervision and annual continuing professional development courses.
Participated actively in psychodynamic reading group with the Institute for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (IPCP), contributing to ongoing clinical development.

Intern Psychologist

The Ububele Educational and Psychotherapy Trust

01.2016 - 12.2016

Delivered individual psychodynamic therapy and play therapy to children aged 0-16 years, addressing developmental, emotional, and attachment-related challenges.
Provided Parent-Infant Psychotherapy (PIP) interventions for dyads, focusing on early attachment formation and caregiver-infant relationships.
Facilitated therapy for adults, couples, and groups, utilizing psychodynamic principles and evidence-based approaches.
Delivered parenting workshops focused on attachment theory, early childhood development, and caregiver-infant bonding.
Conducted counselling sessions at local government clinics in Alexandra township, including Baby Mat intervention and Parent-Infant Psychotherapy programs.
Provided therapeutic services at The Ububele Preschool, integrating clinical work with early childhood education settings.
Administered developmental and school readiness assessments to evaluate cognitive, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning in preschool populations.
Participated in Home Visiting Project research investigating maternal sensitivity in Alexandra community settings.
Administered validated research instruments including Parent Development Inventory (PDI), Pregnancy Interview (PI), and Ububele-developed assessment tools.
Conducted comprehensive psycho-educational assessments across diverse age ranges and developmental stages.
Engaged in weekly supervision sessions, ensuring ethical practice and clinical skill development across all projects.
Presented weekly case presentations to supervisors and peer groups, demonstrating reflective practice and clinical reasoning.
Participated in regular case conferences for all projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on treatment planning.
Managed clinic operations, including session scheduling, referral coordination, and comprehensive clinical record-keeping systems.

Training Psychologist

The Teddy Bear Clinic

01.2014 - 12.2015

Therapy sessions with children and adolescents who were involved in active court cases of child abuse.
Intake sessions, weekly play therapy, case conferences, keeping of clinical case notes & submitting relevant information to government departments regarding cases.
Attended training pertinent to the legal framework of matters in the Children's Court and understanding South African Law.

Training Psychologist

Wedge Gardens Rehabilitation Centre

01.2014 - 12.2015

Bi-weekly group therapy sessions with patients enrolled in the three-month program for drug and/or alcohol-use disorders.
Planning of sessions and co-facilitation with other psychologists.
Sessions in the detox division with newly admitted patients.
Collaborating with the onsite support staff in offering support to patients and their families.
Keeping good clinical records.
Gaining sound knowledge in diagnosis of personality disorders, drug alcohol symptomatology, and co-morbid disorders.
Integrated knowledge of programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous' principles and beliefs.

Student Psychologist

The Khula Clinic (University Clinic)

01.2014 - 01.2015

Provide therapy to students on the university campus, including individual sessions, psychometric assessments, play therapy, and group therapy.
Attending weekly supervision to review cases.

Events Specialist

Santam Head Office

01.2009 - 01.2012

Provide a comprehensive events service to internal and external clients.
Understand event scopes of work, establish budgets and determine timelines.
Project management i.e. Planning, implementation and post-event activities for corporate and brand related events nationally.
Fostered relationships with local and national suppliers to obtain best price, quality, and delivery of products.
Managing of budgets, supplier liaison, contract management, advertising agency briefs, and coordinating with other business units.
Solicited feedback from clients to assess event success.

Head Events Coordinator

Virgin Active Head Office

01.2007 - 01.2009

Manage all events, promotions and exhibitions for Virgin Active nationally.
Facilitated communication between internal events personnel and external vendors.
Managing all corporate sponsorship requests received and presenting viable requests to top management for approval.
Managing annual contractual agreements with media groups or external brand affiliates, such as New Balance.
Managing communications and relationships with the external PR agency.

Online Advertising Executive

Touchline Media

01.2005 - 01.2007

Managing of all online advertising and client service functions.
Developing a sales strategy for generating new business.
Managing monthly targets, invoicing to clients and campaign schedules.
Implementing online content and advertisement campaigns.
Collaborate with third-party service providers, such as the advertising agencies and web hosting partners.
Generate reports for clients regarding site visit figures.
Support brand managers with events.

Summary

Overview

Work History

Counselling Psychologist and Business Owner

Counselling Psychologist

Counselling Psychologist

Counselling Psychologist and Business Owner

Intern Psychologist

Training Psychologist

Training Psychologist

Student Psychologist

Events Specialist

Head Events Coordinator

Online Advertising Executive

Education

Certificate - Integral Coach Training - Coaching For Development

Master in Psychology (MPsych) - Psychology

BA Honours - Psychology

One Year Post Graduate Certificate - Narrative Practice

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

BA Marketing Communications - Brand Management & Media Planning

Skills

Registrations

Training And Certificates

Timeline

Similar Profiles

Rebecca CiccarelliRebecca Ciccarelli

Katelynn HarrisKatelynn Harris

Amayia BoydAmayia Boyd

NOOMESH DOWLUTNOOMESH DOWLUT

Hansley DawodharryHansley Dawodharry