Geraldine Franciscus is a Counselling Psychologist, the Head of the Psychology Department and a Senior Lecturer at Cornerstone Institute. She has been a psychology lecturer for over 20 years. She has a special interest in Brain Working Recursive Therapy and Solution Focussed Brief Therapy and its application in the South African context.
Geraldine has also been involved in collaborative research. Some of this research has resulted in a publication in the International Journal of Higher Education and Democracy: “Assessing the Impact of Outcomes-Based Education, Family Dynamics, and Psychosocial Stressors on Student Academic Adjustment in South Africa”. She is passionate about promoting community mental health and emotional well-being. She is an executive member of the Psychological Society of South Africa’s Counselling Psychology Division (SAACP) and the former Chair (2019-2021) of the division. She runs a small part- time counselling private practice.
Serahni started her studies at the University of Stellenbosch with a BA degree, majoring in psychology and language. She completed her Honours degree in Psychology thereafter, and started teaching while doing a Post Graduate Certificate in Senior Phase Education. She was awarded cum laude for her Masters degree, and was accepted into the PhD Psychology programme at North West University in 2010. She registered with the HPCSA in 2013 as a trauma counsellor.
Currently she is a registered counselor with HPCSA under the Psychology Board. She enjoys working from a Gestalt Perspective, but works holistically with people from all walks of live. She lectures part time and facilitates modules in Family Counselling, and supervises counsellors in training. She has regular guest appearances on RadioTygerberg and also writes a marriage and parenting blog for Finesse magazine.
Jabulani Chitanga is a Researcher, Psychology Lecturer, Research Supervisor, small to medium-scale Farmer, and Project Manager (retail and hospitality industry).
He is skilled in Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analysis, Microsoft Excel data analysis for research, Module/Curriculum development, Moderation, Assessment development, Online teaching technologies, Microsoft Office, and farming (crops and animals).
Jabulani graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology from the University of Zimbabwe, a Bachelor of Psychology Honours from Cornerstone Institute and a Master of Arts Research Psychology from the University of the Western Cape.
He is currently a PhD—psychology candidate at UWC. Jabulani has had papers presented at the Psyssa conference and Monash University Australia. Above all, he loves people (mainly his wife and two children) and wants to make a difference in communities.
Natalie Adams-Adonis comes from Cape Town, South Africa and is a senior lecturer in the Psychology Department at Cornerstone Institute. She is currently doing her PhD in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape, with a research focus on intervention mapping for mothers in resource constrained contexts.
Natalie completed her Masters in Psychological Research at UCT and her training includes in depth interviewing, programme evaluation and monitoring, gender in research analysis and design, research methods and statistics. Natalie’s research interests include perinatal development, maternal mental health, children, education, continuous trauma, community social justice and poverty. Natalie lectures both undergraduate and postgraduate modules. She is a registered practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and runs a small private practise.
After pursuing studies on a part-time basis while raising her children, Sharon enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Stellenbosch in 2004 and registered as a Counselling Psychologist in 2006 after obtaining her Master’s degree (cum laude).
She completed her internship with an NGO, Good Hope Psychological Services under the supervision of Elzabé Broekmann (Counselling Psychologist and founder member of this NGO) and her husband, Prof. Neil Broekmann (Clinical Psychologist), thereby gaining valuable experience in both clinical and counselling settings.
While building up her private practice, she remained in the employ of the NGO offering counselling services at a number of schools in the area, and working very closely with the social workers in the community. At the same time, she also worked at FAMSA, gaining rich and diverse experience in dealing with family related matters. She qualified as a mediator with FAMAC and is very actively involved in the drafting of parenting plans to guide parents going through the process of divorce and separation. She specialises in hearing the voice of the child as the family transitions through these changes.
Sharon is currently a faculty member at Cornerstone Institute where she works as a part-time lecturer specialising in Family Psychology and Psychometric Assessment. This allows her to remain up-to-date with latest research and be actively involved in shaping the next generation of counsellors and psychologists. She supervises students in their postgraduate programmes, and also offers supervision to Registered Counsellors and fellow psychologists.
Gabrielle is the Academic Administrator of the Psychology Department at Cornerstone InstituteI. Her role is primarily centered around student and faculty support, ensuring they are assisted promptly and efficiently. Her duties also include liaising with other departments across Cornerstone Institute, including the registrar's office, IT, Marketing and Finance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology (BPsych Equivalent) and is an HPCSA Registered Counsellor, adjunct lecturer, and supervisor.
Gabrielle is passionate about student and faculty well-being and wants them to have the best CI educational experience possible.
Mariska Pienaar holds a master's degree in counselling psychology (UKZN) and a Ph.D. (UWC) in psychology. She has been registered as a counselling psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for the past 19 years.
Her career journey has included working in research investigating the neurobehavioral correlates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, practicing full-time as a counselling psychologist in student counselling centres across two universities, and practicing as a counselling psychologist in private practice.
For the past eleven years, she has held positions as a lecturer and then senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of the Western Cape. These positions have included training students in the professional Master's (Clinical Psychology) programme and the clinical supervision of MA Clinical Psychology students and counselling interns. She recently joined Cornerstone Institute as a part-time senior lecturer, where she teaches and trains undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students.
Mariska has made several mainstream media contributions through op-eds, expert opinions, and radio interviews.
Her academic publications include peer-reviewed journal articles, international conference presentations, and a book chapter in the widely used undergraduate psychology textbook Psychology: Themes and Variations in South Africa.
Nicolette has a Master's in Research Psychology from the University of the Western Cape. She specialises in research methodology, statistics and research supervision.
Aside from teaching and supervising, she has also trained various higher education institution staff in using research methodology. She enjoys collaboration and cross-disciplinary work. Her research interests center around improving the higher education space. She is passionate about making the tertiary education experience positive for both students and lecturers.
Kayla Calvert is a dedicated Psychology Lecturer and Registered Counsellor. She has a Master of Arts in Psychology (Cum Laude) from the University of the Western Cape and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology (BPsych Equivalent – with distinction) from Cornerstone Institute. Kayla is a Doctoral candidate whose research interests include digital mental health interventions and the impact of mental health on various populations. Kayla is passionate about academia and contributing to the field of mental health.
Nick Hardwick's journey with Cornerstone Institute began in 2010 as a student but has since evolved into a role as a Senior Lecturer in the Psychology Department. His expertise lies in programme evaluation, higher education accreditation, and research psychology.
Armed with a Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology from Cornerstone Institute, Nick discovered his profound interest in the intersection of psychology and education. His academic pursuits led him to complete a Masters in Programme Evaluation at the University of Cape Town, solidifying his commitment to utilising monitoring and evaluation methods in higher education.
While Nick excels in programme evaluation and accreditation processes, his passion lies in research psychology. As a dedicated educator, he is invested in guiding students to uncover their passion and connection to their studies, nurturing their academic and professional growth. Nick works to inspire and empower students to pursue meaningful careers aligned with their interests and aspirations through his role as a Senior Lecturer.
Michaela Chloe Moodley is a dedicated University lecturer specializing in qualitative research on family psychology within the South African context. With a Master of Arts (Psychology) Cum Laude from Stellenbosch University, she brings a wealth of academic expertise to her role. Michaela has extensive experience lecturing and supervising Psychology Honours thesis' at various private institutions.
Additionally, she offers private consultation services to corporate companies, focusing on employee well-being and support. Michaela is passionate about contributing to academia and corporate environments through her research and teaching endeavours.
Sondre Adams is a dedicated lecturer with a special interest in integrative brain-based interventions. Armed with a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and proud alumnus of Cornerstone Institute, Sondre is deeply passionate about empowering students to unlock their full potential.
With over a decade of experience in providing psychological interventions and raising awareness within communities, Sondre brings a wealth of knowledge to her lectures. Her expertise spans various domains, including adolescent psychology, adult psychology, and couples counselling.
In addition to her role as a lecturer, Sondre runs a private practice, where she offers personalised support and guidance to her clients navigating various life challenges.
Combining her academic background with real-world experience, Sondre fosters an engaging learning environment that encourages critical thinking and personal growth.
Chantel Retter is an enthusiastic Registered Counsellor with a profound passion for Family Counselling. With a background of three years at a High School followed by establishing her private practice in Milnerton, Chantel has recently relocated her practice to Edgemead. As an alumna of Cornerstone, she commenced her journey as an adjunct lecturer and supervisor in 2020, progressing to become one of the esteemed part-time staff members.
Chantel's expertise spans School Readiness Assessments, Career Assessments, and Family Counselling, making her an eager and dynamic Psychometric lecturer. Her commitment lies not only in imparting knowledge about various measures and assessments but also in ensuring their ethical execution, providing recommendations, and facilitating possible referrals to enhance the well-being of each client or child being assessed.
With six years of counselling experience, Chantel has refined her skills in face-to-face, virtual, and group settings. Her extensive caseload serves as a rich source of examples to enrich her teaching across various counselling modules in psychology.
Chantel firmly believes in the reciprocal nature of learning, acknowledging that she gains as much from her students as they do from her. This perspective fuels her excitement as she enters her classes, viewing them as opportunities for mutual growth.
Recognizing the pressing need for Registered Counsellors in our communities, Chantel feels truly privileged to play a role in guiding and nurturing the next generation of psychology counsellors.
Kendall is a lecturer and supervisor in the Psychology department. She is also a Registered Counsellor in private practice and a Cornerstone alum. She began her Cornerstone journey with an undergrad in Theology and Psychology and went on to complete the BPsych Equivalent honours here as well. Kendall is currently completing her master's degree at Stellenbosch University.
She lectures the Developmental Psychology, Family and Development, and Abnormal Psychology modules and supervises practicum and fieldwork students.
Kendall is passionate about knowledge and skills sharing and believes in meaningful encounters with others as we journey with one another, finding and fulfilling our purposes.
Karen Cohen is a lifelong learner who is a highly driven individual, passionate about mental health and wellbeing. She has a decade of experience as a self-development coach, EAP trainer-facilitator and mental health well-being Counsellor. Alongside this she works in a diversity of fields, volunteering, adjunct lecturing and supervising (at the Cornerstone Institute) and as a psycho-educational content specialist. She is naturally curios about human behaviour and peoples motivation for achieving meaning and purpose in their lives. With a special interest in neuropsychology, mind and body (somatic) emotional regulation tools to support stress, anxiety and trauma, soft skills development and conflict resolution. Qualification include an Academic Honors in Psychology (Cornerstone Institute), Diploma in Communication Counselling & Specialization in Coaching (SACAP), EmotionAid therapist (ITI Institute), and Mediation (FairPractice & SALegal).
Kirsty Slessenger obtained a BA Theology from Stellenbosch University and a Bachelor of Honours Psychology at the Cornerstone Institute. Kirsty started lecturing at Cornerstone in 2016 in the psychology department and is currently working in private practice as a counsellor and mediator. Kirsty has been working in the non-profit and private sector as a counsellor for 22 years and has a passion to see people live to their full potential both professionally and personally.
