Marlene Wells

Clinical Psychologist - Glenwood, Durban

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Glenwood Durban.
I also do locum work at a private hospital in their neurological rehabilitation unit; here I work with traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders. I have a special interest in Neuropsychology - assessment and cognitive rehabilitation. Other areas of interest include:

• Trauma
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Relationships
• Personality disorders
• Psychopathology
• Psychological management of medical illness e.g. cancer
• Bereavement – individual and family

I have an interest in working with psychogenic conditions – my Master’s thesis was a comparative study on organic epilepsy and psychogenic seizures. I aim to do a PhD in this field in the near future.

The approach I use is eclectic, meaning that I treat each person as an individual and assess which therapy is most suitable to the individual and their presenting problem. Generally I use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Transactional Analysis but I think in terms of psychoanalytic principles. Whichever approach I use, I explain this to the patient so that they are comfortable with the process. I am also governed in my approach to patients by the Bio-Psycho-Social framework and this is possible with whatever therapy one uses. It is important to acknowledge the significance of patients as having body, mind and soul and being part of families and society as well.

One of the approaches I use if appropriate for the patient is guided imagery and visualisation linked to relaxation. This works for trauma, pain management, stress-related dysfunction and medical conditions.

I deeply respect my patients and their particular needs, aiming to establish a safe environment where they can work with the discomfort they are experiencing.

Practice No: 0296589
HPCSA Reg: PS 0098892