From farm worker to clinical psychologist at Tembisa Hospital
'In our department we assess, diagnose and treat all mental health illnesses.'
Due to unavailability of career exhibitions, eKasi Grade 12 learners struggle to choose a career path.
The same learners face financial difficulties after matric and eventually give up on studying all together. Willie Seerane shunned the prospects of suffering the similar fate and pursued success against all odds.
When Seerane finished Grade 12, financial constraints prevented him from studying further. He packed his bags and headed for Middelburg, where he looked and found work as a general farm worker.
“I worked there for two years, saving money for my studies. I saved money to enrol for my first year in BA Psychology at the University of Limpopo. Thereafter, I received assistance from NSFAS and I completed my studies.
“I furthered my studies and received my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree from North-West University,” said Seerane.
The Tembisan asked Seerane to advise Tembisa learners on what he does and his day to day responsibilities.
Seerane is a clinical psychologist at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital.
“I have been working there since 2016. In our department we assess, diagnose and treat all mental health illnesses. In assessing, we assist forensic processes. We assess people with criminal charges and report back to court on their mental capacity on whether they will be able to stand trial.
“We assess children for school placement purposes. We also do neuropsychological assessments where we deal with people who have brain damage due to accidents,” Seerane explained.
Asked about the qualities a prospective clinical psychologist must have, Seerane said the learner must be sociable and have the ability to interact with people from all walks of life.
“The learner must be self-aware, have knowledge and understanding of yourself. Pay attention to detail, which means be thorough and read between the lines. Be strong-willed and resilient in what you do,” said Seerane.
He said learners must have pure math, life sciences and English as part of their Grade 12 subjects.
“They will study for a BA degree in social sciences for three years and study further for a BA honors degree in psychology, which takes a year. Alternatively, they can study for a BA Psychology degree, which takes four years.
“Then they will have to complete a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree to be recognised as a professional clinical pychologist,” Seerane said.
He said psychology has five streams – clinical, counselling, education, industrial and research.
“It is only at master’s level where students can specialise in a particular stream.”
He said learners can visit the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital for more information on a clinical psychology career.
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