Melody Pick-Cornelius

Clinical Psychologist - Tamboerskloof, Cape Town

BPsych [US], MA Clinical Psychology [US]

Introduction

My area of practice includes all clinical and counselling work relating to individual adult psychotherapy and trauma intervention. I have a special interest in the difficulties individuals experience within their relationships [Couple and Family Therapy] - whether between intimate partners, parents and children, siblings or friends.

Background

I am a Clinical Psychologist in the City Bowl with a BA Psychology [BPsych] and a Masters Clinical Psychology degree from Stellenbosch University. I have worked as a Clinical Psychologist at 2 Military Hospital Wynberg, as well as Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital in the Western Cape. I have extensive experience in facilitating group conversations and mediating group interaction, and previously worked in the media sector - I continue to contribute to articles in popular magazines such as Psychologies and Cosmopolitan.

I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and also hold PsySSA membership - Psychological Society of South Africa - the national professional body for psychology that ensures quality of psychological services and safeguards ethical standards, as well as CTPSPG membership - Cape Town Psychoanalytic Self Psychology Group - an association devoted to the advancement of the theoretical and practical understanding and development of Self Psychology among therapists, their clients and members of the general public.

Orientation and approach

I believe that therapy is at its core a dialogue between the therapist and client(s). The origins of the word dialogue can be extracted from the Greek "dia" and "logos" which literal translation means “through meaning." Thus, the therapeutic process represents a dialogue during which one does not necessarily try to convince the other of their points of view, but rather create a learning-collaboration through which understanding and insight is sought. As such, dialogue is about creating a fuller picture of reality rather than breaking it down into fragments or parts. Accordingly, the ethos of dialogue represents an intergraded worldview in order to assist clients in reaching their full potential.

I work psychodynamically within a Self-Psychology/ Relational Theoretical Model and follow a Person-Centred approach. When working with clients I focus on the quality of early emotional attachments and the impact these have had on individual, couple and/or family dynamics. I am oriented towards creating meaning for individuals, couples, families and communities by assisting them to move beyond the fragmented information they hold about themselves and others, towards the development of new insights and a deeper level of understanding of their circumstances.

My personal statement for therapy is: “To bring healing through dialogue”.

Scope of practice – Psychotherapy/ Counselling

I provide assistance in the management and resolution of the following concerns:

Adults

• Adjustment Disorders
• Depressed Mood
• Depression
• Anger Management
• Anxiety Disorder
• Divorce Adjustment
• Eating Disorders Obesity, Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa
• Gay and Lesbian Adjustment
• Health and Chronic Illness
• Relationship Problems
• Trauma such as, but not limited to, Acute Stress Disorder; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  
  

Couples

• Divorce and Separation
• Family Conflict
• Marital Conflict
• Relationship Conflict
• Sexuality
• Violence
  
  

Family

• Divorce and Separation
• Family Conflict
• Marital and Couples Conflict
• Parenting Difficulties
• Sibling Rivalry and Conflict
• Teen-Parent Conflict
• Violence
  
  

Pr Nr: 0345970