“...Intervening only biologically can help you feel better (and in some cases enable you to function), but it won’t necessarily produce deep psychological change. Lasting change grows from developing a complete understanding of the difficulty and then realigning yourself, life and relationships, finding meaning, and working towards realising your potential. Therapy involves work and money, but it provides an opportunity to transform your life profoundly and permanently.”
Marita van der Riet
Clinical Psychologist
In 1975 Marita completed her degree in Nursing at the University of Stellenbosch. While recovering from a major surgery herself, questions arose in her heart about the emotional support of patients and the root causes of illness. This became the motivating substance that led her to pursue Psychology.
Marita obtained an Honours and Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Pretoria in 1979.
During their time in Canada and the US, her love for creative arts intersected with psychology as she completed a course in art and movement therapy at the Naropa Institute.
Marita’s interest in the work of Carl Jung was deepend when, in 1992, she and Fred attended a training seminar by Marion Woodman and Robert Bly.
Upon returning to South Africa, Marita lectured part-time at the Rhodes University after which they established an Integrative practice in Cape Town. Throughout this time her primary modality included playtherapy and she also trained other therapists in this approach. She continued her studies by completing an Advanced Diploma in Psycho-Analytic Psychotherapy through the South African Institute for Psychotherapy, after which she completed a two-year course in Infant Observation.
In order to deepen her understanding of couple dynamics, Marita studied Psycho-Analytic couple psychotherapy through ACPP. She explored her interest in body-mind psychology by training through the Rolando Toro Bio-centric foundation to become a teacher of Biodanza. Marita regularly taught these dance, music and group-interaction workshops in different contexts, e.g. in corporate groups and as programmes at Boystown, Macassar.
In recent years, Marita has become a SoulCollage® facilitator, thereby bringing together psychotherapy, art, symbolism and spirituality. Now, in Hummingbird Health, Marita utilises her experience and skillsets to partner with Dr Fred in working with patients and their significant others.
In a combined effort of knowledge and skill, Hummingbird Health and Mitra OD Consulting present our all-inclusive Corporate Wellness Programmes and Coaching initiatives. The result of the high demand for an easy-to-implement support process for leaders and teams, it assists in relieving undue pressure in these volatile Covid times, and considerably enhances psychological safety in the work place. We focus on creating practical, systemic solutions for ultimate organizational and employee well-being.
Read more here (link to Mitra OD Consulting website – www.mitraconsulting.co.za)