About Us
Dr. Jacob D van Zyl
Clinical and Pastoral Psychologist - since 1994
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself.
I was born and raised in the little forestry town of Sabie,Mpumulanga, surrounded by picturesque mountains and trees which cultivated my love for nature (trees, waterfalls and hiking trails in particular).
I matriculated from Sybrand van Niekerk High School (Sabie) in 1983. Some of my achievements during my school years included the following:
Headboy; Dux-student in matric year 1983; Passed matric with an A average and four distinctions;
Lowveld Tennis Team Captain 1981-1983; Junior Provincial Tennis Team 1981- 1982; Represent Lowveld in National OratoryCompetion 1982,1983.
I initially started my tertiary education with theology – from the very beginning of my studies the subject of Psychology was included. I completed my theology studies, but chosed to further my studies in Psychology instead – I completed my Honours in Psychology at UP and got selected for Masters in Psychology at PU for CHE (now Northwest University). I registered as a clinical psychologist in 1994. In 2004 I completed my doctoral studies at UNISA. I practice psychology from a Christian perspective, with the belief that I have the calling to help or assist people in their problems from a psychological as well as a spiritual outlook. I would love to empower each and every patient with a new perspective.
I married my wife, Anne-Marie (a medical doctor who is practicing in Nelmed Medicross Group Practice in Nelspruit), in 1990. We have three children: Elsje-Marie (31), who has a degree in BSc Medical Science and Psychology, as well as a LLB (which she obtained in April 2019 at theUniversity of Pretoria). Currently she is also busy with a Honours degree in Psychology.
Jacques (28) obtained his BAgric degree at the University of Free State. He is working in the field of Agriculture.
Taillard (25) was selefted at the University of Pretoria in order to continue with his studies in medicine - currently he is completing his final year in Medicine.
Some of my interests include: playing tennis at the local tennis club, as well as participating in senior tennis tournaments and leagues, and representing the Lowveld (55 plus tennis team) in interdistrics against Highveld and West-Mpumalanga; I also represented Mpumalanga in the interprovinsial tournament. I love walking; hiking; travelling; reading; writing; and music (composing songs, singing and playing the electronic organ).
TERTIARY EDUCATION:
Name of Institution : University of Pretoria
Qualification Obtained: : 1986 – BA Theology / Psychology
1989 – Honours in Psychology
1990 – Bacalareus Domini Theology (Cum Laude)
Name of Institution : Potchefstroom University
Qualification Obtained : 1994 – Masters in Clinical Psychology (Cum Laude)
Name of Institution : University of SA (UNISA)
Qualification Obtained : 2004 – Doctorate in Psychology
OTHER COURSES:
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner – Potchefstroom University / Success Education;
Clinical Hypnotherapy Phase 1, II, III – South African Society of Clinical Hypnoses (SASCH);
Hostage Counselling – South African Medical Services (SAMS);
Officer (Rank: Mayor) – SAMS;
Courses in ethics and law in psychology;
Courses in qualitative research;
Mindfulness training courses
Designer and Presenter of mindfulness walks
Mediation
Psycho legal courses
MEMBERSHIP (past and currently):
Health Council for Professionals in SA (HCPSA)
Psychology Society of SA (PSYSSA)
South African Society of Clinical Hypnoses (SASCH)
PUBLICATIONS:
Die verhouding tot God en die self met betrekking tot selfmoord (Unpublished script – BD Theology, UP)
Die ontwikkeling en evaluering van ‘n logoterapeutiese program vir ‘n groep bejaardes (Unpublished mastersdegree script – Potchefstroom University – mentorship Prof. Marié Wissing)
‘n Kwalitatiewe ondersoek na die selfagting van psigoterapeutiese pasiënte (Unpublished doctorate thesis – University of SA – mentorship Dr. Elsje Cronjé)
Low self-esteem of Psychotherapy Patients: A Qualitative Inquiry (published article in a online journal based in San Francisco: The qualitative report Volume 11 Number 1 March 2006
BREEK DEUR DIE GRENS – Jou persoonlike berader vir sewe algemene knelpunte (Wellington: Lux Verbi) – book published in February 2009
Several articles / contributions to articles in nation wide magazines.
The journey in the labyrinth – qualitative research on a group of forty people who walked the labyrinth at a retreat (currently unpublished article).
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
Name of Firm : Dr. Jacob D. van Zyl Private Practice
(Established in 1994, Pietersburg)
Current Address : Practice@37A Ehmkestreet, Nelspruit, 1260
Period of Employment : September 1994 - Currently
Position Held : Clinical and Pastoral Psychologist in full time private practice - since April 1998
Duties : Individual Psychotherapy for adults and children
Marital Therapy
Family Therapy
Psychometry – evaluation – legal cases and reports
Workshops, public talks and seminars to groups
Practice Management; Supervision
Reason for Changing Position : Will keep current position but experience the need to expand area of service / contribution applying theoretical as well as practical knowledge in facilitating and empowering groups of role-players in society with the potential to enhance the mental health of their clients.
Name of Firm : South African National Defence Force –
South African Medical Services
Period of Employment : 1 January 1994 – 31 March 1998
Position Held : Officer (highest rank mayor) - Psychologist
Duties : Individual Psychotherapy for adults and children
Marital Therapy
Family Therapy
Psychometry – evaluation, selection, screening
Facilitation of multi-cultural groups –
Psychological Integration Programme (PIP)
Head of Division Psychology
Privileges to manage part-time private practice
Reason for Changing Position : Part-time private practice developed into full-time private practice;
The need to be more involved in psychotherapy
Name of Firm : South African National Defence Force –
South African Medical Services
Period of Employment : 1 January 1991 – 31 December 1991
Position Held : Military Service – Lieutenant in Chaplain Services,
1 Military Hospital, Voortrekkerhoogte, Pretoria
Duties : Serve on advisory panel and as a counsellor on
Psychiatry and Orthopaedics Multi-disciplinary teams
Visits cardiology, gynaecology and other wards
pre and post operative
Counselling and support – student nurses
Reason for Changing Position : Get selected at Potchefstroom University for Masters
Training programme in Clinical Psychology
1992/1993