David Rivett

Clinical Psychologist - Berea and Westville, Durban

BA (Hons) UNISA; MA (Clin Psych) UKZN

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist with a Private Practice in central Durban. I completed my training at UNISA and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. During my training, I had experience in dealing with a variety of psychological problems in both adults and children at psychiatric and general health facilities in the greater Durban area. After finishing my Community Service year at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, I spent two years in the corporate environment before deciding to return to the field of psychology on a full-time basis.

As a therapist, I primarily follow a client-centred, humanistic approach as I believe that this approach allows the client to be heard in a respectful and genuine manner. However, I do believe in the importance of not trying to fit the client into a specific theoretical framework. Rather, I prefer to conduct a full assessment before determining the most suitable method to help the client to work through their concerns. When appropriate, I therefore make use techniques from other theoretical frameworks (such as Cognitive-Behavioural and Systems Theory) which may assist the client to work through his or her difficulties most effectively.

In terms of interest areas, I enjoy working with individuals and couples, and have an interest in assisting clients with depression and other mood disorders, anxiety and general life stress, marital and relationship issues, and bereavement and loss. I am also interested in Sport and Health Psychology, and enjoy working with children. In addition to this individual work, I conduct courses with groups focusing on Bereavement and how this difficult experience can best be dealt with.

Practice No: 086 000 0297607
HPCSA Reg: PS0091138