Intern Counselling Psychologist

About Janse van Rensburg & Breedt Psychology Inc.

Janse van Rensburg & Breedt Psychology Inc. (Charis Psychological Services) is a psychology group practice specialising in physical rehabilitation psychology. Rehabilitation psychology contributes to the psychological knowledge and skills regarding individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The aim of rehabilitation psychology is to maximize the health and welfare, independence and choice, functional abilities and social roles across the life span of individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Patients are seen while they are in-patients as well as on an out-patient basis at various sub-acute and physical rehabilitation hospitals across Gauteng.

Although providing psychological services to patients in a medical setting is the main focus on the practice, the out-patient aspect of the practice also services as a private practice where children, adults, older adults, couples and families are seen for a variety of emotional difficulties, irrespective if they suffer from any health challenges. In addition, Charis Psychological Services engages with the

broader systems by offering staff wellness programmes, debriefing sessions and group therapy to a variety of professionals. The continuous development of psychologists in the practice is highly valued. Monthly CPD discussion groups and presentations are held and all psychologists working at Charis Psychological Services receive regular supervision. The practice consists of both counselling and clinical psychologists.

We offer the following services

Psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families; Group psychotherapy; Trauma debriefing; Psychoeducation groups; Sexology and sexual rehabilitation; Neuropsychological assessments; CPD presentations for psychologists and other professionals; Staff wellness groups; Debriefing for staff (individual and groups); Supervision for psychologists.

Counselling Psychology Internship

The Counselling Psychology Internship at Charis Psychological Services was developed to fulfil all the necessary requirements as set up by the Health Professions Council of South Africa [HPCSA]. The programme, however, encourages an attitude of raising necessity and striving beyond the minimum requirement.

Providing psychological services to adults and older adults will be obtained at the various physical rehabilitation centers and sub-acute hospitals. The intern will assist the multidisciplinary team with patients that are in need of psychological intervention. The patient’s concerns will vary according to diagnosis, however, generally it will consist around traumatic brain injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord injuries, amputations and serious neurological syndromes. The patients present with a variety of emotional difficulties for example trauma, depression, anxiety and adjustment difficulties.

In addition, patients often need assistance in acceptance of their medical condition as well as the development of skills to adjust to a life now very different. Furthermore, the intern will be trained to provide specialised sexology consultation to spinal cord injured patients and/or their partners. Experience in group work will be obtained in therapeutic and psychoeducation group sessions that focus on skills development, discharge planning and successful re-integration into the community. In addition to patients with medical concerns, the intern will be involved in providing out-patient therapy services to adults with a variety of emotional and relationship difficulties as per regular private practice. Experience related to children and adolescents will be conducted at the Jakaranda Children’s Home as well as The Teddy Bear Clinic. The intern’s time will be divided between individual psychotherapy and group work within the above facilities. Interns will also conduct psychological assessments on children, adolescents and adults at the children’s home and in the hospital settings.

The intern will receive regular supervision from senior psychologists. The intern will be exposed to various forms of therapeutic paradigms, as they will be rotating supervisors. The intern will have the opportunity to work alongside other psychologists in the group practice. Through this internship the intern will also be exposed to the roles and responsibilities of a psychologist by working as part of a multidisciplinary team. They will be required to attend multidisciplinary team meetings on a weekly basis. This will enable them to develop the skills and an experience of working as part of a team, providing holistic care to patients. Another unique opportunity in this internship will be exposure to the running of a private practice in the medical context and learning the skills required to run a private practice. The interns will attend educational sessions, where they are taught other paradigms and how to integrate various paradigms to work effectively. The interns may be expected to complete assignments or attend educational sessions on any topics regarded as relevant. The intern will be provided the opportunity to prepare and run their own CPD workshop, with a supervisor’s guidance. Lastly, the intern is expected to present four case presentations throughout the year, as required by their university and HPCSA.

Minimum requirements

• Proven registration as a MA or MSc Counselling Psychology Student at an accredited university/college;

• Registration as an Intern Psychologist with HPCSA;

• Completed course work as part of MA/MSc Counselling Psychology training;

• Successful practical work as part of MA/MSc Counselling Psychology training.

Required competencies

• Genuine interest in working in the rehabilitation/medical context;

• Strong evidence based counselling and psychotherapeutic skills. Knowledge of short term and brief therapy techniques;

• Ability to diagnose psychological disorders and psychopathology within the Scope of Practice for Counselling psychologists;

• Ethical and professional orientation at all times;

• Hardworking and able to work in flexible manner;

• Sound administrative and organisational skills, able to manage time efficiently;

• Sound Computer literacy

• High level of self-awareness and committed to own development;

• Good interpersonal skills;

• Able to work independently as well as a member of a multi-disciplinary team;

• Liaise with external organisations in service delivery to patients/clients.

Location

The intern psychologist will be working in either Pretoria, Gqeberha or Johannesburg sites, at the various Physical Rehabilitation and Sub-Acute hospitals where we provide a service. The intern will also be working at a children’s home.

Salary

The total remuneration package for this position is R11 500 (Gross income)

Working hours

40 hours per week. Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm, as per the HPCSA requirements.

Annual leave

22 days as per HPCSA requirements.

Application process

Applicants are requested to send a comprehensive CV (including the names and contact details of three referees) with a letter of motivation (stating your reasons for applying for the position and demonstrating how you meet the requirements) to ***email_hidden***.

• Certified copy of registration as a current Masters in Counselling Psychology student;

• Certified copy of registration as a current Student Psychologist with the HPCSA;

• Certified copies of undergraduate qualifications;

• Certified copies of academic results/transcript.

Closing date: 30 July 2026.

For enquiries about the position please contact: Mr. Briann N Magwaza

Head of Training and Development

***email_hidden***

Cell: 081 508 9885