#Women’sMonth: Wentworth psychologist empowers community
For a limited time, Loren Moodley offered her services free of charge as a community-based practical for her Postgraduate Diploma.
USING the backdrop of a single-parent household that strived to give her the world, psychologist, Loren Moodley emulates this detail in her work.
Her mother’s unconditional love molded her into the woman she is today and beams with pride at the mention of her.
Loren’s work often juxtaposes her against wins and challenges. To deal with these, she draws her strength from God and her mother.
“My mother is my rock. She pushed for my brother and me to have the best of everything. We both realised this earlier in our lives and were driven to always do our best. This was our way to show her that her efforts have always been appreciated.”
She started at Blue Roof Life Space in Wentworth in April and her last client consultation was on Friday, July 30.
Her services were offered free of charge as a community-based practical for her Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
She was initially sent to the Hillcrest Aids Centre but opted to empower her community instead.
“It did not make any sense to go so far when I know that my own community is in need. My journey at Blue Roof was eventful, I chose the organisation because it is evident that Wentworth needs psychological assistance.”
“Coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, the restrictions that came about from that, and the mental health issues, I believe it is service really needed,” she said.
In the short space of time, she was at the centre, she saw 95 clients, calling the high volume of cases an eye-opener. She said the community made the most of the experience and for that she is grateful.
Loren has worked at the Childline SA crisis line where she did trauma debriefing and was a counsellor at a private school.
Before going back to study last year she worked for an NGO in HIV management, providing psycho-social support especially to the youth who are HIV positive.
“I studied psychology because of its humanistic-person-centred approach. Once I was in it, there was no looking back. This is my purpose, without a doubt.”
“My highlight at Blue Roof was bringing clients who carried burdens for so many years to a feeling of catharsis. Seeing them being no longer weighed down by their problems was truly incredible.”
“Being able to provide a service for someone in need, who otherwise would never be able to access it because of funds or the lack of knowledge, was great to experience,” she added.
