I interviewed you for My Brilliant Career in January 2020 — before the Covid pandemic — what career changes have you made in the past four years?
During the pandemic I decided that I was in the right stage of my life to continue studying. Since the beginning of my career as an occupational therapist, I have always focused on sexual health as I believe that all clients need to be treated holistically. Sexual health is often overlooked as part of a client’s wellbeing.
I studied sexual health and joined My Sexual Health which is a multidisciplinary team working across South Africa in all areas of sexual health — biological, psychological and social.
I am still working as a mental health occupational therapist but I feel much more competent in dealing with related sexual health issues and I have the support and supervision of my team should I have a problematic case.
I treat sexual health issues that my mental health clients experience — frequently low desire, erectile dysfunction, increased sex drive, and inappropriate sexual behaviour which is often related to either their condition or to the medical treatment that they receive.
I am also balancing my work between hospital work and private, outpatient work — focused both on sexual and mental health. I am establishing an outpatient group work practice because I realise the importance of social support and combating isolation, especially after the social effects of Covid lockdowns.
What do you find most meaningful about the work you do now?
I find it so meaningful, and truly an honour, to be able to make a difference in somebody’s life. I love the flexibility that my career provides — I do hospital work where my main focus is group therapy and then go to my rooms to see private clients. On any one day, I treat a number of different clients with different diagnoses and levels of function. This keeps my work interesting and dynamic, which suits my personality and my work style. I know I could never work in a very structured and routine-based environment.
Why do you think you are good at what you do?
I am an extrovert and creative; this, combined with empathy and a lot of energy, makes me an excellent therapist. I treat each client as an individual and do what I can to make sure their needs and expectations are met. Mental health and sexual health are two taboo subjects with a lot of stigma attached. I make it very clear that I am fully accepting of everyone who walks into my treatment space and I work hard to get rid of the labels that are often attached to these people. I think everyone deserves respect and, especially in mental health, these clients’ rights are often disregarded.
I am passionate about group therapy and while these sessions can easily become educational or class-like, I ensure that by using my skills, creativity and energy, the groups are not only places of learning but of growth, respect, knowledge and fun. I have a plan when I start a group but no agenda — the group members determine how much we discuss and how much talking/writing/creating we do (and sometimes even how much chocolate we eat).
Who is your typical client?
Because the treatment is quite diverse, I do not have a typical client.
I work only with adults and older teenagers. In my hospital work, I treat clients with depression, bipolar mood disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, dual diagnosis (with addiction disorder) and post-traumatic stress.
Outpatient clients may have any of those conditions but often are more likely to have anxiety, stress-related issues and sensory processing issues.
Sexual health clients are couples with desire discrepancies, sexual pain that is not related to any physical condition, menopause support and supportive therapy for anyone who has a condition that may limit their mobility or comfort in intimate situations.
