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Dr Sherona Rawat
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Sherona Rawat is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. She completed her postgraduate degrees at the prestigious University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (Pmb), an internationally acclaimed institute that is well known as a leading training facility for Clinical Psychology with many of the faculty residing on boards at the United Nations World Health Organization ethics community, holding research grants from the USA, affiliated to Harvard medical School and intrinsically involved in groundbreaking HIV/AIDS research in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN. She has received postgraduate masters level training in Gender Studies and Clinical Hypnosis and has a PhD in Community Psychology.
Specialties: Depression, Bipolar Mood Disorder, Personality Disorders, Anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, Neuropsychological assessments, Chronic Pain, Addictions and Substance abuse, Eating Disorders, Bereavement and Grief therapy, HIV/AIDS counselling, Marital counselling, Work stress and assessment for boarding etc.Its never too late to be who you might have been- George Eliot- EDUCATIONM.Soc.Sc (Clinical Psychology), PhD, M.D (Current)
University of KwaZulu-NatalM.Soc.Sc Clinical Psychologist Clinical Psychology 2003 - 2004Activities: HPCSA; BHF; SASCH; UKZN; UniZulu (PhD)
University of KwaZulu-NatalB. Soc. Sc. Honours. Psychology Clinical Psychology 2000 - 2000
University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-AfrikaB. A. Psychology/Criminology Clinical Psychology Present - 1999
Durban Indian Girls High SchoolHigh School 1984 - 1988
University of ZululandDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) Community Psychology Clinical Psychology 2008- 2010
COMAHSSLDoctor of Medicine (M.D.) 2015 - present
- EXPERIENCE
Clinical Psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of severe mental illness, psychiatric and behavioural problems.
PsychsolDirector– Present
Dr Sherona RawatClinical Psychologist– Present
National Department of HealthClinical Psychologist- Community Service– Dec 2007
Dept. of Health.Clinical Psychologist- Intern– Dec 2004
University of KwaZulu-NatalM. Soc. Sc. Gender Studies– Dec 2002 - Research ProjectBereavement and HIV/AIDS: A study of caregiver bereavement due to HIV/AIDS related and non-HIV/AIDS related deaths of children and adolescents.Sub-Saharan Africa is the hub of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with South Africa not only an avid contributor to the epidemic in lieu of infection rates but a leader in researching the management and treatment of the virus. Bereavement is an interesting and pivotal aspect of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Unfortunately it is one that has been overlooked if not often neglected with regard to management and treatment of bereaved HIV positive individuals. People die on a daily basis from AIDS and with that comes the grieving and mourning of loved ones, family and friends. If every AIDS victim left behind four grieving individuals, with a population of 5,24 million infected people, we would have 20.96 million grieving individuals. That would be 41.93% of the South African population. In light of this, research on Bereavement and HIV/AIDS has been long overdue. Studies on Bereavement and HIV/AIDS would provide us with important information in not only designing relevant HIV interventions but also in managing the frail and preoccupied minds of those that have lost a loved one to the disease, and by so doing reducing the risk of them either transmitting the disease or becoming infected themselvesResearch ProjectThe Experiences of Clinical Psychologists Providing Community Service: Experiences of Clinical Psychologists providing community services within the Community Service Program in KwaZulu-NatalThis study investigated the experiences of community service psychologists placed within the KwaZulu-Natal region in South Africa. As community service is mandatory on Clinical Psychologists qualified Clinical Psychologists are placed at different hospitals within the Department of Health. The community service psychologists are placed for a year of service prior to being allowed to register and practice independently as Clinical Psychologists within the country. A single, structured interview was used to collect the data. Grounded theory was utilized in the analysis of the qualitative data. The findings indicate dissatisfaction with the management and implementation of the Community Service Psychology Program amount the participants. In addition, psychological trauma in regard to fear over safety and abusive or alienating management structures within the environments serviced by the Community Service Psychologists was noted. The implications and applications of this study are far-reaching as research and critique is direly lacking in the arena of Community Service provision, development, structure and facilitation within the South African context.Research ProjectAn Evaluation of Lulama, an In-Patient Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centre in Durban, KZN, South Africa.Research ProjectEvaluation, Development and Management of the University of Natal Pietermaritzburg Volunteer Program servicing Fort Napier and Townhill Hospitals for 3rd year psychology studentsResearch ProjectEvaluation of the University of Natal-Durban Orientation program for Newly Registered Students.
- LotusFM Radio Shows
- The Why’s and How’s of Gangsterism
- Sexual Abuse and Rape
- Addictions: Sex/Pornography, Gambling, Shopping, Work etc
- Posttraumatic Stress
- Dealing with Overpowering/Dictator Spouses
- The Struggles of Single Parent Homes
- The Psychology of Money
- Behavioural problems in pre-school children
- Surviving mixed marriage (Race, Religion etc)
Interviews and ArticlesMela SABC 2:SABC News:
LS Magazine:- Busted: New Years Resolutions that stick by Sherona Rawat
- Money Matters- Is your self worth measured in rands and cents?
- The Weddings Over- But what now for Mrs So & So?
Channel Islam International (Cii):Al Ansaar Radio:Newspaper Comment and QuotesDaily News:Sunday Times:The Post:The Witness: - It's never too late to be who you might have been- George Eliot
- Skills, Tools, Techniques and Approach
Overview of Scope of Practice:
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS use psychotherapeutic interventions to treat those with psychological and psychiatric conditions. We are the only psychologists that are trained within the hospitals of the Department of Health, work and train with the psychiatrists and are thus allowed to treat severe psychiatric illness and problems on an inpatient basis.
Counselling psychologists counsel those with ‘developmental and adjustment’ problems. They are trained in Student Counseling Centers and other Community Centers.
Educational psychologists ‘perform therapeutic interventions in relation to learning and development’ . They are trained within schools and the Education sector.
Industrial psychologists perform behavioural interventions within the workplace to enhance work performance and productivity. They are fall within commerce at most universities and are trained within the corporate environment.
Categories of psychologists and scope of practice:
Psychologists register in different categories in direct relation to where they completed their internship, the kind of training they have received, their level of training and expertise within a certain area, and each category has a scope of practice.
Clinical Psychologists assess, diagnose and treat persons with developmental problems, psychological distress and psychopathology.
Counselling Psychologists assess, diagnose and intervene in clients dealing with life challenges and developmental problems to optimise psychological well being and adjustment
Educational Psychologists work to optimise learning and development - not only in formal educational settings, but throughout the lifespan.
Industrial Psychologists use principles of psychology in the workplace in order to understand, modify and enhance individual, group and organisational behaviour effectively.
Neuro-psychological AssessmentPsychometric AssessmentClinical PsychologyPsychiatric DiagnosisCognitive Behavioural TherapyClinical HypnosisCrisis InterventionTrauma CounsellingPsychotherapyIndividual Group CouplesPsychiatric AssessmentAdmissions and In-hospital treatmentLearning Disability, Intellectual and ADHD ScreeningTherapy Management AdjustmentHolistic Treatment ApproachNutritional supplementation and lifestyle adjustmentAddictionsSubstance Abuse Eating Disorders Gambling SmokingBereavement and Grief counsellingMarital Therapy - Psychotherapy
Process: It is important to take the first step in managing your emotional discomfort. Decide to seek help for your psychological or psychiatric problem or condition, and emotional pain or discomfort.
Steps:- Contact us to set up an appointment.
- Confirm the appointment with us.
- Remember to bring your I.D., passport or drivers licence; your medical aid card if applicable and any other relevant documentation.
- For children a primary caregivers needs to accompany the child during at least part of the intake session so that we are able to establish a reliable developmental history for the child.
- For individuals suffering from medical conditions that might be affecting your emotional state please bring in all relevant blood results, MRI or CT scans or EEG reports and any other documentation you might deem necessary.
- For assessment regarding ADHD or other Learning Disabilities please bring with you all reports by O.T’s, Audiologists, Speech and Hearing Therapist, Optometrist, Paediatricians, Psychiatrists, letters of complaint from teachers and any other psychological report you might have in your possession regarding the individual seeking treatment or assessment.
- If you are on chronic medication, on multivitamins and/or other natural and herbal supplements, please bring in a list of all medication and supplements.
Individuals are required to complete an intake session prior to the commencement of Individual Psychotherapy, Couples Therapy or Group Therapy. The intake session includes a biography, a full medical and psychological history, a comprehensive mental status examination, a plan of action once all information is attained and referral or recommendations if and when necessary. In addition, the intake session serves as a means of assessing for the type, length and intensity of therapy required for that particular individuals specific needs. All information is regarded as private and confidential within the limits of confidentiality in lieu of the ethical code of conduct for psychologists and in reference to guidelines stipulated by the HPCSA and PsySSA.
Time-lines:
The length, session duration and depth of the therapy received depend on each individual’s personal circumstances and their own particular emotional, physical and environmental limitations. In addition, the above factors are also somewhat dependent on the type of therapy chosen for that particular individual personality and his or her psychological needs. As a result, while some therapies are categorised as short term, medium term and long term therapies and they are designed as such, the progress of the sessions within the lose boundaries of the above categories also will depend upon a.) The speed, at which the individual in therapy processes, integrates and assimilates new knowledge, insights and information and b.) The extent to which that particular individual’s personal environment is either free of crisis or complicated by constant crisis.
Kinds of Psychotherapy utilised by Dr Rawat:
- Psychoanalysis: The method of psychological therapy originated by Sigmund Freud in which free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference are used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts, in order to free psychic energy for general living and mature development. The goal is to find and overcome those unconscious areas of resistance that block mental growth and cause mental illnesses. Classic Psychoanalysis, as practiced by Freud, has fallen out of favour as research has gained a more scientific perspective regarding motivation and mental health. However, components are incorporated in many current variations of therapy resulting in differing forms of psychoanalysis still being used successfully.
- Jungian Analysis: Jungian analysis is a specialized form of psychotherapy in which the Jungian analyst and patient work together to increase the patient’s consciousness on a somewhat spiritual level in order to move toward psychological balance and wholeness, and to bring relief and meaning to psychological suffering. At the heart of Jungian analysis is a realignment of conscious and unconscious aspects of the personality with an ensuing creation of new values and purpose. In addition, Jungian psychology encourages a relationship with the universe where all things are linked and can lend themselves positively to religious belief systems that posit God and a higher power, the inter-connectedness of all things and the cycle and continuity of life processes. The process can treat a broad range of emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, and it can also assist anyone who wishes to pursue psychological growth.
- Brief Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behaviour. In its brief form, a psychodynamic approach enables the patient to examine unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from past dysfunctional relationships and behaviours and understand their subsequent manifesting in the form of dysfunctional and/or addictive behaviour in themselves. The goals of Psychodynamic therapy are to explore a patient’s self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behaviour. Several different approaches to brief Psychodynamic psychotherapy have evolved from psychoanalytic theory and have been clinically applied to a wide range of psychological disorders. As a person grows and develops through childhood into adulthood, many environmental stimuli contribute to shaping that person’s attitudes and behaviours. Thus, insight into the symptoms is valued as a far more helpful and lasting cure than merely “getting rid” of the symptoms. But when a person is functioning well in society and has no deep personality deficits to correct, and yet develops psychiatric symptoms, brief psychodynamic psychotherapy can be used to help the person understand what he or she has been through emotionally that brought about the symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), developed by Aaron Beck, who also developed the Beck Depression Inventory, is a form of psychotherapy in which the therapist and the patient work together to identify and solve problems. Psychotherapists use the Cognitive Model to help patients overcome their difficulties by challenging and hence changing their thinking, behaviour, and emotional responses. Cognitive therapy has been found to be effective in more than 1000 outcome studies for a myriad of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance abuse, among others, and it is currently being tested for personality disorders. It has also been demonstrated to be effective as an adjunctive treatment to medication for serious mental disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy has been extended to and studied for adolescents and children, couples, and families. Its efficacy has also been established in the treatment of certain medical disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, fibromyalgia, post-myocardial infarction depression, non-cardiac chest pain, cancer, diabetes, migraine, and other chronic pain disorders.
- Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT): Albert Ellis is the founder of REBT which is a derivative of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It is a highly challenging form of psychotherapy which challenges existing beliefs and assumptions within the individual. It is a proactive form of therapy and can yield significant long term results in a relatively short period of time. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy's (REBT) central premise is that events alone do not cause a person to feel depressed, enraged, or highly anxious. Rather, it is one’s beliefs about the events which contribute to unhealthy feelings and self defeating behaviours. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy teaches the patient to identify, evaluate, dispute, and act against his or her irrational self- defeating beliefs, thus helping the patient to not only feel better but to get better. It is an active-directive, solution-oriented therapy which focuses on resolving emotional, cognitive and behavioural problems in patients and assumes that humans have both rational and irrational tendencies. Irrational thought/images prevent goal attainment, lead to inner conflict, lead to more conflict with others and poor mental health. Rational thought/images lead to goal attainment and more inner harmony. REBT claims that irrational and self-defeating thinking, emoting and behaving are correlated with emotional difficulties such as self-blame, jealousy, guilt, Low Frustration Tolerance, depression, and anxiety. The psychotherapist teaches the patient how to identify irrational and self-defeating tendencies which in nature are unrealistic, illogical and absolutist, and then to forcefully and emotionally dispute them, and replace them with more rational and self-helping ones. By using different methods and activities, the patient, together with help from the psychotherapist and in homework exercises, can gain a more rational, logical and constructive rational way of thinking, emoting and behaving. One of main objectives in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy is to show the patient that whenever unpleasant activating events occur in people's lives, they have a choice of making themselves feel healthily and self-helpingly feelings such as sorrow, disappointment, frustration, and annoyance, or making themselves feel unhealthily and self-defeatingly by becoming horrified, terrified, panicked, depressed, self-hating, and self-pitying.
- Supportive Psychotherapy: Supportive Psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy in which consistency, support from others and a hopeful attitude are used to contain and sustain the patient through crisis periods, and encourage small gains over time. Supportive psychotherapy is used to reinforce a patient’s defenses, but avoids the intensive probing of emotional conflicts employed in psychoanalysis and intensive psychotherapy. It concentrates on creating an effective means of communication with, even in an extreme an emotionally disturbed person rather than on trying to produce psychological insight into the underlying conflicts. Through such supportive measures as reassurance, reinforcement of the person's defenses, direction, suggestion, and persuasion, the therapist participates directly in the solution of specific problems.
- Solution-focused Psychotherapy: A type of psychotherapy that involves concrete goals and an emphasis on future direction rather than past experiences. Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) focuses on what patients want to achieve through therapy rather than on the problem(s) that made them seek help. The approach does not focus on the past, but instead, focuses on the present and future. The psychotherapist uses respectful curiosity to invite the patient to envision their preferred future and then psychotherapist and patient start attending to any moves towards it whether these are small increments or large changes. To support this, questions are asked about the patient’s story, strengths and resources, and about exceptions to the problem. Solution focused psychotherapists believe that change is constant. By helping people identify the things that they wish to have changed in their life and also to attend to those things that are currently happening that they wish to continue to have happen, SFBT psychotherapists help their patient to construct a concrete vision of a preferred future for themselves. The SFBT therapist then helps the patient to identify times in their current life that are closer to this future, and examines what is different on these occasions. By bringing these small successes to their awareness, and helping them to repeat these successful things they do when the problem is not there or less severe, the psychotherapists helps the patient move towards the preferred future they have identified. Solution focused work can be seen as a way of working that focuses exclusively or predominantly at two things. 1) Supporting people to explore their preferred futures. 2) Exploring when, where, with whom and how pieces of that preferred future are already happening.
- Clinical Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential, learning self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control. While there is general agreement that certain effects of hypnosis exist, there are differences of opinion within the research and clinical communities about how hypnosis works. Some researchers believe that hypnosis can be used by individuals to the degree they possess a hypnotic trait, much as they have traits associated with height, body size, hair color, etc. Other professionals who study and use hypnosis believe there are strong cognitive and interpersonal components that affect an individual's response to hypnotic environments and suggestions. Recent research supports the view that hypnotic communication and suggestions effectively changes aspects of the persons physiological and neurological functions. Practitioners use clinical hypnosis in three main ways. First, they encourage the use of imagination. Mental imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention. The mind seems capable of using imagery, even if it is only symbolic, to assist us in bringing about the things we are imagining. For example, a patient with ulcerative colitis may be asked to imagine what his/her distressed colon looks like. If she imagines it as being like a tunnel, with very red, inflamed walls that are rough in texture, the patient may be encouraged in hypnosis (and in self-hypnosis) to imagine this image changing to a healthy one. A second basic hypnotic method is to present ideas or suggestions to the patient. In a state of concentrated attention, ideas and suggestions that are compatible with what the patient wants seem to have a more powerful impact on the mind. Finally, hypnosis may be used for unconscious exploration, to better understand underlying motivations or identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem. Hypnosis avoids the critical censor of the conscious mind, which often defeats what we know to be in our best interests. The effectiveness of hypnosis appears to lie in the way in which it bypasses the critical observation and interference of the conscious mind, allowing the client's intentions for change to take effect. Some individuals seem to have higher native hypnotic talent and capacity that may allow them to benefit more readily from hypnosis. It is important to keep in mind that hypnosis is like any other therapeutic modality: it is of major benefit to some patients with some problems, and it is helpful with many other patients, but individual responses vary.
- EEG and QEEG: The quantitative EEG (qEEG) is a digital analysis of the classical EEG analog tracings which neurologists have employed for seizure detection. The qEEG, however, is not appropriately used in the detection of seizure activity. The EEG analog signal is digitized and the information saved to a hard disk. Once the data has been saved to a permanent record, it then becomes possible to develop concepts, conduct statistical analysis on the wave forms and compare individuals to a normative databases on the selected variables. The wave forms are analyzed according to a period of time, called an epoch, and the waves that have occurred during that time period are analyzed. Historically, the frequencies have been divided into 5 groups: Delta (0-4 Hertz); Theta (4-8 Hertz); Alpha (8-13 Hertz); Beta (13-32 Hertz); and gamma (32-64 Hertz). There are two basic concepts that are employed in the analysis of the qEEG data. The first refers to the type of activity that is occurring at a location in terms of the 5 frequencies. Each frequency can be analyzed according to concepts such as microvolt, relative power, peak frequency and peak amplitude. In general, the important variables for cognitive success are the microvolt and relative power measures. The delta and theta frequencies are generally negatively related to cognitive abilities and the beta variables are positively related. For instance, there is a subgroup of ADD children who have excessive amounts of theta in the eyes closed condition. The second important concept concerns how the different locations communicate with each other. This concept employs the variables of coherence and phase to express communication variations within a frequency. These variables are particular important for cognitive success in adult individuals. We employ a flashlight concept to express coherence relationships. In this concept a particular location is assumed to be the origin of a flashlight which sends a “beam” out to the other locations. When the “beam” arrives at the location, we can calculate a numeric value and compare that subject to the normative database. There have been three general intervention approaches in this field. The first, called a standard qEEG intervention places the sensors over the top central portion of the head and the software is programmed to decrease theta microvolt levels and increase beta microvolt levels. The second approach, called eyes closed database approach, analyzes the subject’s qEEG values under an eyes closed condition and compares his values to an appropriate normative database. The third, called an activation database approach, requires the subject to engage in cognitive challenges and examines the subject’s response (in comparison to the activation database) on the variables that are critical to success at the task. It is posited that it is this last approach which offers the most compelling logic of approach and documented evidence of effectiveness.
- Learning Disabilities
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism
- Aspergers
- Depression & Anxiety
- Personal Development
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Group TherapyGroup Psychotherapy, Support Groups and Workshops
Group Times:
Mon- Friday 3.30 -5pm
Saturday 8.30am – 1.00pmConditions:
6-7 individuals per group, requires intake, and waiting list.
Support Groups:
Administrator of facilitator:
Group is run by Sherona Rawat, Clinical Psychologist or a Psychological Counsellor.- PTSD and Victims of crime or trauma
- Women
- Single mothers
- Divorcees
- Widows
- PCOS
- Al-Zahra group for Divorced Muslim Women - Children
- Low self esteem
- Disruptive children
- Self confidence
- Bulling and peer pressure
- Adjustment to new school
- Building resilience
- Children of single parent homes
- Children of dysfunctional parental relationships - Bereavement
- Addictions
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Drugs - Anger management
- Debriefing for Nurses and other Health Professionals
Psychotherapy Groups:
Administrator of facilitator:
Groups are administered by Dr Sherona Rawat, Clinical Psychologist.-
Bipolar Psychotherapy Group - Eating disorders and Obesity Psychotherapy Group
Workshops:
- Stress management
- LET'S CHATConnect with us on Social Media
- CONTACT DETAILSAhmed Al Kadi Private Hospital Medical Suites,Annex 3, Unit 4, 1st Floor,24 Barnard Road, Mayville,Durban, South AfricaTel.: +27 (0)31 492 3480Cell/ whatsapp: +27 71 033 5694Email: drsheronarawat@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/drsheronarawatInstagram: www.instagram.com/dr_srawat
Copyright 2015