Psychologist

About Shelley – Hi all, I am a psychologist fluent in both English and German, hailing from Switzerland with Lebanese roots. While I spent my formative years in Switzerland, my childhood memories and the path that led me to become a clinical psychologist are rooted in South Africa. As a result, I consider multiple places as my home, and this perspective profoundly influences my approach to clinical work.

Drawing from my extensive psychoanalytic training, I possess a keen understanding of the psychological conflicts that often operate beneath our conscious awareness. These conflicts shape our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world. In my practice, I am dedicated to recognizing and integrating these conflicts. Leveraging a robust psychoanalytic understanding of the mind and employing cutting-edge interventions, I specialize in addressing addictions, eating disorders, dysphoric states, sexual symptoms, and maladaptive interpersonal patterns. Additionally, I have a particular interest in couples therapy.

Beyond my clinical practice, I actively explore the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and socio-cultural aspects within contemporary psychoanalytic work. This exploration has led to my contributions to various international publications and the establishment of the South African Institute for Relational Studies. This institute serves as an innovative training ground for like-minded psychoanalytic clinicians interested in understanding the transmission of intergenerational trauma. It also offers valuable opportunities for psychologists-in-training and supervisees seeking to deepen their clinical expertise.