Dr Mariska Pienaar (PhD)
Cape Town,WC
Summary
HPCSA-registered Counselling Psychologist (PhD) with extensive experience delivering high-quality, evidence-based psychotherapy across diverse populations, including adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume caseloads while maintaining strong therapeutic alliances and consistent clinical outcomes.
Experienced in individual and group interventions, risk assessment, and multidisciplinary collaboration within referral-based environments. Known for combining relational depth with structured, goal-oriented intervention, enabling meaningful psychological change within real-world timeframes. Committed to accessible, community-oriented mental health care and contributing to dynamic clinical practice settings.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Counselling Psychologist
Private Practice
Cape Town
01.2005 - Current
Manage 20–30+ clients weekly
Deliver therapy across anxiety, mood, trauma, and relational domains
Conduct risk assessments and coordinate care
Maintain strong engagement and continuity in referral-driven systems
Part-Time/Full-Time
Psychologist
Stellenbosch University, Student Counselling Centre
Stellenbosch, South Africa
08.2010 - 09.2012
Provided psychological services within an academic-clinical setting
Worked with student and adult populations across a range of presentations
Senior Research Officer
University of Cape Town
Observatory, South Africa
04.2005 - 08.2010
Conducted psychological and interdisciplinary research
Contributed to applied research outputs and programme development
Full-Time
Education
Psychology
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch12-2002
Master of Arts - Counselling Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa04-2005
BA Honours - Psychology
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch12-2002
Skills
- High-volume psychotherapy
- Individual, couples & family therapy
- Group facilitation
- Risk assessment
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Trauma-informed care
- Programme development
- Extensive experience in complex psychological formulation integrating developmental, relational, and trauma-informed perspectives
- Multi-cultural therapeutic exposure
- Communication skills
- Work well independently and in a team
- Intake assessments
Certification
HPCSA Registered Counselling Psychologist (2005; PS0093009)
BHF Registered
Timeline
Psychologist
Stellenbosch University, Student Counselling Centre
08.2010 - 09.2012
Senior Research Officer
University of Cape Town
04.2005 - 08.2010
Counselling Psychologist
Private Practice
01.2005 - Current
Psychology
Stellenbosch University
Master of Arts - Counselling Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
BA Honours - Psychology
Stellenbosch University
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Expert psychological commentary in national and local media
Contributions to public discourse on mental health and wellbeing
Development of original conceptual frameworks within psychology
CLINICAL PROFILE
- Counselling Psychologist focused on accessible, high-quality psychotherapy within referral-driven environments.
- Client Populations: Adults | Adolescents | Couples | Families
- Focus Areas: Anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, relational difficulties
- Approach: Integrative, depth-oriented, and goal-directed. Balances relational depth with forward movement toward autonomy.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & SCHOLARLY WORK
- Pienaar, M. (2015). States of Consciousness. In J. Hassin (Ed.), Psychology: Themes & Variations (South African Edition). United Kingdom: Cengage Learning.
- Fraser, K., Adonis, T., & Pienaar, M. (2025). Investigating the relationships between perceived family support, self-efficacy, and academic performance among undergraduate students at a South African University. Commonwealth and Youth Development, 22(1).
- Pienaar, M. (2011). An eco-existential understanding of time and psychological defences: Threats to the environment and implications for psychotherapy. Ecopsychology, 3(1), 25-39.
- Pienaar, M., & Molteno, C.D. (2010). A self psychology perspective on the formulation and treatment of psychopathology in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in South Africa 18(1), 58 – 80.
GROUP WORK & PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT
Facilitated therapeutic and psychoeducational groups. Developed structured interventions for emotional regulation and anxiety.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Expert psychological commentary in national and local media
Contributions to public discourse on mental health and wellbeing
Development of original conceptual frameworks within psychology
ACADEMIA
1. Senior Lecturer | University of the Western Cape | Full-Time | 2012-2024
2. Senior Lecturer | Cornerstone Institute | Part-Time | 2024-2025
Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
Supervision of research
Integration of clinical and theoretical frameworks
ADVANCED CLNIICAL EXPERTISE
Extensive experience in complex psychological formulation integrating developmental, relational, and trauma-informed perspectives. Skilled in mood disorders, trauma, relational dynamics, and high-functioning distress.