Philile Lukhele
Mental Health Professional
Pinetown,KZN
Summary
Passionate mental health professional with experience in child, adolescent, and adult services; including individual and group interventions, crisis management, and psychological assessment. I possess a strong background in research (Regional & Provincial research projects), programme coordination, and multidisciplinary collaboration. My experience and exposure is indicative of proven ability to support effective service delivery within public sector and community-based settings.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Intern Psychologist
Tara H Moross Hospital/Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
01.2025 - 12.2025
- Provided psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Conducted parasuicide risk assessments, crisis interventions, and ward-based/bedside psychological support.
- Administered and interpreted psychological and neuropsychological assessments (emotional, cognitive, behavioural).
- Compiled integrated assessment reports with diagnostic formulations and evidence-based treatment recommendations.
- Delivered individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults, and diagnostic/therapeutic play therapy with children.
- Facilitated group interventions, including DBT skills groups for adults.
- Completed clinical intakes, psychosocial histories, collateral information gathering, and coordinated referrals.
- Collaborated within multidisciplinary teams, presenting cases and providing feedback to caregivers and professionals.
- Key Responsibilities:
Deputy Director/Program Officer
Department of Basic Education; DoE KZN office
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Supported planning, coordination, and implementation of multi-sectoral programmes within public sector systems. (Psychosocial Programs within the education sector)
- Collaborated with provincial, district, and multidisciplinary stakeholders across health, education, and social services.
- Facilitated structured training group sessions for Learner Support Agents (LSAs) in Ugu and King Cetshwayo District.
- Conducted needs assessments, intakes, and monitoring of service delivery activities.
- Compiled concise reports, case summaries, and progress documentation aligned with organisational requirements.
- Presented programme and case updates during formal meetings and stakeholder engagements.
- Coordinated referrals and service linkages to support continuity of care and programme outcomes.
- Maintained accurate records and met strict reporting and compliance standards.
- Assisted in compiling briefing document on Bullying Seminar.
- Key Responsibilities:
Psychologist
Fort Napier Hospital/Town Hill Hospital, Pietermaritzburg
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Performs supervised individual and group counseling, supervision, crisis intervention, and consultation/outreach.
- Provides psychological assessments, intakes and appropriate referrals.
- Conduct research and presentations on different psycho-social topics and mental health policies.
- Train and workshop facilitation for child-care workers in children’s home to develop skills on handling children with psycho-social and mental illness challenges.
- Refer patients accordingly depending on needs and services required.
- Work is supervised by professional staff, and individual clinical work is supervised by a licensed psychologist.
- Maintains up-to-date clinical documentation via our electronic record keeping system.
- Develop tailored treatment plans for referred clients using prior knowledge and research skills.
- Attends training seminars, staff meetings and supervision on a weekly basis and in a prompt manner.
- Utilizes psycho-diagnostic assessment procedures and psychometric methods to facilitate psychotherapy as needed.
- Key Responsibilities:
Research Assistant
ICAP Centurion Office, Pretoria
08.2019 - 11.2019
- Supervised, Planned and managed research initiative within budget and deadlines.
- Conducted pre-implementation activities; engaged with health facility leadership, staff and study stakeholders to sensitize them to the study.
- Recruited and screened potential participants and conducted informed consent.
- Conducted data collection activities at selected facilities.
- Ensure that all relevant project materials (tablets, forms, recorders) are stored and maintained.
- Assist in the interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Conducted Training and workshops, quality control/assurance procedures to ensure complete and accurate data collection entry.
- Participate in the development of reports related to project progress on field activities between teams and evaluation coordinators.
- Timeless reporting on project progress and activities.
- Project: Evaluation of the Ward Based Outreach Teams
- Key Responsibilities:
Junior Researcher
Human Sciences Research Council
06.2016 - 05.2018
- Managed research projects within budget and deadlines.
- Supervised, trained and supported fieldwork teams.
- Provincial coordinated a national survey and regional research projects.
- Conducted data analysis, presented research reports and findings.
- Assisted in writing high quality outputs from survey work and other projects, such as fact sheets, research briefs, reports, policy briefs and journal articles.
- Sourced out external partners and compiled MOU's with identified organizations.
- Supported effective participation in multi-disciplinary research teams and partners.
- Established strong working relationships with stakeholders including participants, community partners, and other academic collaborators.
- Consistently met deadlines for project deliverables while maintaining high standards for quality control checks on collected data.
- Key Projects:
- Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (Adolescents);
- Young Women and Adolescent Girls Project;
- National HIV/AIDS Survey (SABSSM 5);
- Trans Women Survey
Project Facilitator
Human Sciences Research Council
09.2015 - 03.2016
- Supervised, Planned and managed research initiative within budget and deadlines.
- Conducted data collection using different qualitative methods.
- Worked with external partners to meet study deadlines and acquiring support.
- Managed data and conducted data quality checks.
- Participated in external strategic meetings.
- Participated in the data analysis and report writing.
- Assisted with overseeing the delivery of project expectations within deadline
HIV Lay Counselor
Anova Health Institute
05.2015 - 09.2015
- Project: 2015 MSM Survey
- Conducted pre and post HIV counseling
- Refer for ongoing support through linking candidates with relevant facilities
- Work closely with stakeholders from external facilities.
- Collected Dried Blood Spots and documented participants' results.
- Referred participants for further screening and support at selected facilities sensitized and trained to provide Health4men and Health4Trans.
- Assessed readiness of participants to receive results.
- Compiled weekly reports.
- Conducted regular stock control checks.
Intern
Department of Basic Education, Pretoria
05.2014 - 05.2015
- Monitored the implementation of Health Promotion’s school programs, through working with district and school officials.
- Assisted the Health Promotion’s Directorate with other departmental activities and duties.
- Assist with advocacy material for the Deworming Program and departmental material for the Health Promotion Directorate.
- Provided administrative work, planning internal and external meetings.
- Assisted in compiling monitoring, monthly and quarterly reports.
- Worked closely with senior officials at national and district level to organize the world AIDS Day and Substance Use Prevention Event.
- Worked collaboratively with other sectors to ensure schools are supported in providing interventions on psycho-social issues.
- Key Responsibilities:
Education
Master of Social Science - Clinical Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, HowardHonours Degree - Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Sociology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
National Senior Certificate - Matric
Sithengile Senior Secondary School
Pinetown, South Africa12-2009
Skills
Monitoring, Evaluation & Service Delivery Support
Individual, Group & Crisis intervention
Training, Facilitation & Psychoeducation
Stakeholder Engagement & Intersectoral Collaboration
Multidisciplinary engagement (Helath, Education & Social Services
References
- R., Chidzonga, 033 341 5678, Town Hill Hospital
- T, Chauke, 083 216 0504, HSRC
- S, Motsepe, 082 329 4207, DSD
Timeline
Intern Psychologist
Tara H Moross Hospital/Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
01.2025 - 12.2025
Deputy Director/Program Officer
Department of Basic Education; DoE KZN office
05.2024 - 12.2024
Psychologist
Fort Napier Hospital/Town Hill Hospital, Pietermaritzburg
01.2021 - 12.2021
Research Assistant
ICAP Centurion Office, Pretoria
08.2019 - 11.2019
Junior Researcher
Human Sciences Research Council
06.2016 - 05.2018
Project Facilitator
Human Sciences Research Council
09.2015 - 03.2016
HIV Lay Counselor
Anova Health Institute
05.2015 - 09.2015
Intern
Department of Basic Education, Pretoria
05.2014 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Sociology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -
Master of Social Science - Clinical Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Honours Degree - Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
National Senior Certificate - Matric
Sithengile Senior Secondary School