Mariam Salie | Clinical Psychologist

“There is more on the surface than what our eyes can see.” - Aaron Beck

About My Practice

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist in private practice based in the southern suburbs, Cape Town. I offer therapy in both English and Afrikaans to adolescents (16+), adults and couples.

I believe that therapy can be a space in which to grow and gain insight into ourselves; learn how to manage and deal with challenges and difficulties but it can also be a space we can use to just think things through.

I work collaboratively with clients and aim to provide a space that is empathetic, safe and judgement free. I look forward to walking your road with you. 

I work predominantly from a Cognitive behavioural (CBT) perspective. CBT operates from the premise that it is our meanings and interpretations of life events which Influence how we respond to them. Furthermore, our meanings are often based on unhelpful, erroneous beliefs that we develop early in our lives. I take clients on a journey to unpack these meanings, interpretations and beliefs and challenge the erroneous thinking. I also assist clients with Identifying, understanding and processing their emotional experiences. Prominent in CBT Is learning to problem solve and learning various skills as well.


Clinical Psychologist in Cape Town

However, my key focus is on the needs of my clients and so it is the assessment and collaborative approach that helps me determine which approach would be best for my clients. Clients are thus active participants in the therapeutic space and together we make a decision on the best course of treatment.

I am interested in but not limited to the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Life adjustment/changes (loss, divorce, work)
• Trauma
• Grief
• Relationship difficulties/problems
• Personality disorders
• Personal development and growth

Therapy Facility in Cape Town
Mariam Salie - Clinical Psychologist



About  Mariam Salie MA Clin. Psych. (Stell)

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF). I completed my undergraduate and honours training at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and completed my masters degree in Clinical Psychology and Community Counselling at Stellenbosch University (SU). I am trained in both psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural (CBT) forms of psychotherapy.

My Clinical Psychology Background

Training and Experience

During my Master’s training I worked at Welgevallen Community Psychology Clinic, providing psychotherapy to individuals, families and groups. Clients varied in terms of age, race, gender and socioeconomic status.

I completed my internship at 2 Military Hospital, employed by the South African National Defense Force, where I worked with individuals (children, adolescents and adults), couples as well as families. I experienced an array of mental health conditions. I also provided assessments including scholastic, intellectual, personality and neuropsychological. During my internship I provided short and medium-term therapy to patients. I had the opportunity to work as part of the multidisciplinary team for the Neurodevelopmental Clinic based at the hospital. In addition, as part of the Psychology Department, I provided psychoeducational workshops and psychotherapy support groups to staff.

My community service was completed with the South African National Department of Correctional Services. I worked with male offenders incarcerated for short, medium, long term and life sentences. I provided risk assessments for the department and centre, and psychotherapy and psychoeducational groups to offenders. I also provided CBT oriented Anger Management groups, mindfulness groups and CBT based problem solving groups.

Additional Training

• EMDR - Level 1
• DBT

Interests

My interests include, but are not limited to adults and couples. I work from both CBT and psychodynamic approaches, working with majority of mental health conditions.

I am also a lecturer at Stellenbosch University and teach various modules on undergraduate and postgraduate level. In addition, I do individual clinical supervision for a student clinical psychologist in training.

Selected Publications

Mariam Salie (2020). The tyranny of box-ticking: Community service in a South African prison and the struggle to be therapeutic, Psychodynamic Practice, 26:3, 227-235, DOI: 10.1080/14753634.2019.1691790

Salie M, Roomaney R, Andipatin M, et al. Scoping review of the psychosocial aspects of infertility in developing countries: protocol. BMJ Open 2021;11:e044003. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2020-044003

Mariam Salie, Megan Snow, Henri De Wet, Kryska Marquard & Leslie Swartz (2021): ‘Add to cart’: prison-based community service for psychologists in South Africa and the comfort of online shopping, Psychodynamic Practice, DOI: 10.1080/14753634.2021.1939112

Psychological well-being during Covid19
https://wisaarkhu.co.za/article/psychological-well-being-during-covid-19-lockdown/

Covid19 and psychological well-being
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CP0XnHSiQT7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

FAQ

Therapy, also called psychotherapy or counselling, is often referred to as talk therapy, and offers a way to help people with a broad variety of mental health conditions and emotional difficulties. It Is the process of meeting with a psychologist to help resolve problematic behaviours, beliefs, feelings, and/or relationship issues. It involves a dialogue which is limited by confidentiality.

Anyone can enter therapy for various reasons. There is a misconception that therapy is only for the treatment of mental health conditions or for life challenges. However, therapy can also help with improving self-knowledge and awareness, personal growth and life goals.

This is for you to decide and during the assessment period we can determine if the fit is suitable. A therapist should create a comfortable space for you to work in, where you can feel contained, safe and free from judgement.  

Therapy differs for each person. The length will depend on the person and the type of challenges experienced. A treatment plan is formulated at the end of the assessment period, which is typically two to three sessions. As with therapy, the treatment plan is also collaboratively discussed to determine the best course, but also keeping in mind what clients can manage In terms of finances and time. A therapy session is usually 50 minutes.

My session fee for 2021 is R850 if paying private. Medical aid rates vary according to the medical aid scheme and is approximately R1050 per session. My fees are in accordance with the current prescribed medical aid rates. Clients paying privately can pay via EFT prior to the session or with cash at the end of the session.

With the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, I moved therapy online using virtual platforms such as Zoom. I am back in office with in-person sessions but still offer online sessions for those who request it.

Contact Me

All questions and enquiries welcome.


Location

28 Zeekoe Road, Lotus River, Cape Town

Registration

MA Clin. Psych. (Stell)
HPCSA: PS 0135003
Pr No.: 0742279