After completing my Masters degree (Research Psychology) in 1997, I started working in the marketing research field. Following time in the areas of media, research supply and fast moving consumer goods, I co-founded a full service marketing research agency, Research & Planning Intelligence (Pty) Ltd, in 1999. I was the managing director of the company until I sold it to the Smollan Group in 2006. By that time, the company had grown to become one of the top 10 market research companies in South Africa. I was the president of the Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) from 2008-2009. I continued to lead the company until 2010, when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

During my battle with cancer, I reflected deeply on where I wanted to go into the future. I always had a passion for empowering people and organisations, and felt that I should apply this principle in a more directed way, which led me full circle back to completing my second Master degree in 2014 – this time in Clinical Psychology at UNISA, which I passed with distinction. I also became involved in the Psychological Association of South Africa (PsySSA) – both as executive on the Sexuality and Gender Division, as well as a member of the PsySSA LGBTI Human Rights Project, in which I continue to play an active role.

The new chapter in my journey saw me doing my internship at Lentegeur Hospital (Cape Town) and my community service at some of the community clinics in the City of Cape Town, offering psychological care to patients particularly in the areas of HIV / STI / TB care and general mental health support to children, adolescents and adults. In 2015 I started my own private practice. I recently expanded and now work both in CBD as well as at the Palm Tree Wellness Centre in Table View.  The latter provides me with a local in-patient clinic next door, as well as a team of professionals to assist and support my work.

I have continued my academic involvement and am currently busy with my doctoral studies in Psychology.  I have published several academic articles, have presented at numerous local and international forums, congresses and conferences – most recently at the International Congress for Applied Psychology in Montreal, Canada, and have conducted training and workshops to post-graduate students at UNISA, UKZN and UP.