Healing Horizons South Africa Professional Development Tour 2025

Reflections and Gallery

During our first professional development journey for therapists to South Africa, we had the opportunity to engage deeply with traditional healing practices and contemporary psychoanalytic perspectives. This series of slides captures the key experiences, reflections, and learning that emerged as we travelled through the Transkei region of South Africa and Cape Town. They serve as a reflection and a resource for ourselves and for others interested in exploring the intersection of cultural practice and psychological insight. It is a tribute to those who walk between worlds, seeking understanding and integration. We hope it inspires continued dialogue, listening, and reverence for the diverse paths to healing.

Music: "The Kwana" by Zahara (Album: Loliwe).

Our journey began in the Eastern Cape, where we were honoured to meet with traditional healers—amaGqirha—whose practices are grounded in ancestral wisdom, spiritual connection, and an integrated relationship with the natural world. Their teachings and presence illuminated a holistic approach to health and community well-being.

In Cape Town, we engaged with several distinguished Jungian analysts and scholars who explored the inner life of the psyche, the symbolic language of dreams, and the universal motifs of human transformation. These dialogues revealed the resonance between depth psychology and traditional African healing philosophies—both of which honour symbols, ritual, and the search for meaning.

Vera Buhrmann’s notion of "Living in Two Worlds" became a central motif for our reflections. It encapsulates the interplay between traditional and Western systems of healing—a dynamic in which therapists and healers alike navigate cultural identities, ancestral knowledge, and clinical practice. The Latin origin of the word "patient"—patior, meaning "to suffer"—reminds us that healing is a journey toward wholeness, not only of the individual but of the collective.

Throughout this journey, we were accompanied by generous hosts, guides, and thinkers who shared their time, insights, and environments with us:

Mercy H. Nqandeka, who facilitated our visits with amaGqirha near Xhorha, bridging our group with local communities and their wisdom.
Renee Ramsden and Denise Grobbelaar, Jungian Analysts and Clinical Psychologists, who offered clinical and symbolic perspectives that enriched our understanding of the inner journey.
Professor Mark Solms and Adrian Perkel, who brought a scholarly depth to our conversations about consciousness, neuroscience, and psychoanalysis.
Jeffrey Rink, Eco-Psychologist, who invited us to consider healing within the broader context of our relationship with the natural world.
Azille Coetzee, author of Desire at the End of the White Line, discussed her book and facilitated in-depth conversations on the decolonisation of white Afrikaner femininity.
The team at Bulungula Eco Lodge, whose hospitality and nightly drumming rituals reminded us of the importance of rhythm, connection, and joy in community life.
We are deeply grateful to Velile from Imonto Tours for his generous support and reliable transport during our stay in the Transkei. His extensive local knowledge and commitment to service ensured that our journey was seamless, enriching, and truly memorable

We also wish to acknowledge the valuable reflections, questions, and insights shared by our fellow travellers throughout the journey. Their openness, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement enriched every aspect of this experience, fostering a shared space of learning and growth.

A heartfelt thank you to Terry for his invaluable support throughout the trip and for navigating Cape Town with the skill and local knowledge of a seasoned resident.

A Guided Game Drive at Mpongo Private Game Reserve

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Adj. Professor Robert Schweitzer is a distinguished academic, researcher, and clinician at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia. He holds the position of Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology and Counselling. Prof. Schweitzer completed his postgraduate training in South Africa, where he worked closely with indigenous healers and developed an understanding of their practices, which has continued to evolve as his learning in contemporary models of psychotherapy has evolved. Since moving to Australia, he played a pivotal role in establishing the clinical psychology program at QUT, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field of psychology education. His research interests span a wide range of areas within clinical psychology, including phenomenological approaches, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, psychotherapy process and outcome studies.

Throughout his career, Prof. Schweitzer has made significant contributions to the field of psychology through his research, publications, and mentorship of students. His work continues to influence the development of clinical psychology practice and education in Australia and beyond.

Mercy H Nqandeka: Mercy is a PhD Candidate at Stellenbosch University. Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka is an agriculturalist and entrepreneur dedicated to community empowerment and cultural preservation. She holds a BSc in Crop and Soil Science and an Honours in Soil Science from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa, along with dual master's degrees from the National University of Ireland and SupAgro in France. Facing employment challenges, she returned to her village in 2019 and founded Hombacrafts in 2020, a Xhosa beading company that preserves traditional crafts and provides economic opportunities. A prolific author, her works celebrate Xhosa culture, and her latest book, "Don’t Upset ooMalume: A Guide to Stepping Up Your Xhosa Game," was published in 2022. Currently pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, she researches indigenous health systems. Additionally, she shares her expertise internationally, having lectured at Utrecht College University in 2023. Hombakazi's efforts have made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for her community and beyond.

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Dave Misso is a Counselling Psychologist with over 40 years of clinical experience and has a deep commitment to integrating innovative therapeutic models into practice. As a PhD candidate, his research focuses on incorporating metacognitive strategies into treatment interventions for men who use domestic violence, offering new insights into improving client engagement and treatment outcomes. Dave has collaborated with leading figures in various therapeutic disciplines, including narrative therapy, solution- focused therapy, and sensorimotor psychotherapy.

He has collaborated and co-authored papers with Dr Giancarlo Dimaggio, Professor Robert Schweitzer and colleagues and the late Prof. Paul Lysaker, contributing significantly to the evolving field of metacognition in psychotherapy.

Denise Grobbelaar is a Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist, Consulting Psychologist, Individual, Team & Leadership Development Enneagram Practitioner.

Denise has been in private practise since November 2011. Prior to starting private practice, she ,gained eight years of experience working in the field of adult mental health. This includes having worked at state facilities such as Groote Schuur and Valkenberg hospitals, as well as managing a centre for people with disabling mental illnesses called Fountain House, a programme of Cape Mental Health Society.

She completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Cape Town (2010) and Bachelors of Arts and Honours through UNISA. She is registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (PS 0111589) and with the Board of Health Care Providers. She is a member of the South African Association for Jungian Analysts (SAAJA) and the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP). Denise is also a member of the South African Psychoanalytic Confederation (SAPC).

Prof Chris Stones: Chris was formerly professor of Psychology and Head of Department at Rhodes University and later at the University of Johannesburg. His areas of focus include adolescent, adult, and couples’ psychotherapy, corporate-based consulting, and medico-legal and forensic psychology, which includes psychological profiling.

Renee Ramsden has been working in private practice in Cape Town for 40 years. She is a founder member of the Southern African Association for Jungian Analysts (SAAJA) and a training analyst. She specialises in dream-analysis and has been teaching alchemy and psychology as presented by C.G. Jung to SAAJA candidates, the wider professional group and interested members of the public for 25 years. She has a longstanding interest in shamanism, ancient goddess cultures and their relevance for the feminine in our current world. She is currently serving on SAAJA’s Executive Committee as President. She is also co-facilitator of SAAJA’s Jung and Film events.

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Jeffrey Rink has been facilitating Ecopsychology retreats since 1998, which affords him the opportunity to integrate his interest in the natural environment and traditional African culture with his profession as a psychologist. Jeffrey has presented papers on Clinical Hypnosis and Ecopsychology at professional conferences, appeared on radio and television shows, and given many public talks on these topics. www.ecopsychologyafrica.com