Noluthando Qabaka

Masters graduate with five years of working experience, serving as a Psychologist in DCS, in Overberg Management Area. Previously worked at the Department of Correctional Service as a Correctional Official for 14 years and at the Department of Labour as a Career Counsellor.

Registered

Counsellor since 2010.

Psychologist (Level 11) - Helderstroom Prison

(2020-06)

• Accept referrals of offenders and lifers with different psychological problems such as behavioural problems, emotional difficulties and personality disorders from CMC and from NCCS
• Assess and diagnose them and offer individual and group psychotherapy using the evidence-based modalities
• Offer workshops to raise awareness about mental health and other behavioural change programs
• Write accurate reports to the office of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, courts, NCCS, case management committee and to the Parole Board
• Refer cases who need further care of other professionals such as doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, etc
• Work with other professionals such as doctors, psychiatrists, Social Workers, nurses, etc
• Good in administration and in compiling statistics and abide to the set due dates

Field Worker - Human Sciences Research Council

(2018-11 - 2019-02)

Contract post

• Conducted qualitative and quantitative research
• Ensured that the respondents' answers were captured in HSRC data capturing system
• Know the ethics guiding research and communicated well with the research participants

Visiting Registered Counsellor - Home From Home

(2018-08 - 2018-11)

NPO specializing in early identification and treatment of learning disabilities

• Worked in collaboration with schools, learners, parents and other professionals to assess, diagnose and treat children with learning disabilities and other psychosocial difficulties
• Offered workshops to parents for early identification and referral of these psychological problems
• Offered individual therapy to the learners

Intern Counselling Psychologist - University of the Western Cape

(2016-01 - 2016-12)

• Accepted referrals of students presenting with psychological, emotional, and academic difficulties from lectures and self-referrals
• Assessed, diagnosed and treated students presenting with psychosocial and psychiatric problems (as guided by HPCSA regarding scope of practice)
• Offered brief solution focused psychotherapy, emotional support, study skills and life skills to students
• Offered workshops regarding mental health to university students
• Offered career assessment and career counselling
• Referred certain cases to other health care practitioners such as nurses, doctors, psychiatrists and social workers
• Facilitated the admission of sick students to the hospitals, and to the psychiatric hospitals
• Worked hand in hand with family members such as parents in times of crisis especially when they were suicidal

Career Counsellor (Senior Assistant Director - Level 10) – Reasons for living- Personal Development - Department of Labour

(2014-10 - 2015-01)

Was selected to study full time, the Master of Social Science in Counselling Psychology by UKZN

• Offered career counselling to students and to other DOL employed and unemployed clients
• Equipped DOL clients with job seeking skills and prepared them for job interviews
• Visited Non-Profit Organizations and government institutions including equipping their employees with life skills and job seeking skills
• Attended the stakeholders' meetings
• Offered workshops to groups of employees in need and to the unemployed candidates
• Complied monthly statistics

Supervision Official - Department of Correctional Services - Community Corrections, Worcester

(2000 - 2014)

• Supervised probationers and parolees that were sentenced under house arrest
• Observed risky behavioural patterns, coached parolees and probationers and monitored compliance to house arrest conditions by probationers and parolees
• Compiled detailed accurate reports to the Parole Board and to courts for sentence revocation

Drug Counsellor - Toevlug Rehabilitation Centre

(2008 - 2009)

Voluntary Work

• Conducted confidential assessments
• Offered individual and group counselling to substance abusers
• Wrote after-care placement reports upon completion of the program

Practicum Placement - Toevlug Rehabilitation Centre

(2008 - 2009)

Six months practicum placed temporary by DCS to complete practicum that allowed registration with HPCSA as a Counsellor

Administrative Clerk - Department of Social Development - Stutterheim

(1999)

Voluntary Work (No payment)

• Screened clients for eligibility
• Captured into their system new applicants for social grants

Master of Social Science - Counselling Psychology - University of KwaZulu Natal (2015 - 2018)

PDip - HIV/AIDS Management - Stellenbosch University (2013 - 2013)

BA (Honours) - Psychology - University of the Western Cape (2003 - 2005)

Bachelor of Social Science - Rhodes University (1994 - 1997)

Matric / Senior Certificate / Grade 12 - Mzoxolo High School (1993 - 1993)