About Mariska
The psychology practice is located in Claremont, in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.
About US
About
Qualifications & Experience
Dr. Mariska Pienaar completed her BA in Psychology and Philosophy, as well as her Honour’s degree in Psychology, at the University of Stellenbosch. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of the Western Cape in 2022.
Her career has involved research on the neurobehavioral correlates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, practicing full-time as a counselling psychologist in student counselling centres at two universities, and working in private practice as a counselling psychologist.
For the past eleven years, Dr. Pienaar served as a lecturer and later senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of the Western Cape, where she trained students in the professional Master’s (Clinical Psychology) program and provided clinical supervision to MA Clinical Psychology students and counselling interns. While she has transitioned to focus more on her full-time clinical practice, she recently joined Cornerstone Institute as a part-time senior lecturer, where she continues to teach and train undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students.
Professional Registration
Dr. Mariska Pienaar has been registered as a Counselling Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) since 2005.
Inspiration & Motivation
Why do I do this work?
Therapy is first and foremost an authentic encounter between two human beings, which can be deeply connecting and meaningful. As psychologists, when we are open to it, we can be deeply moved by what we see, hear, and feel when clients unlock the door to their inner world, especially knowing that they do so from a place of trust, faith, and belief that, as psychologists, we will make it safe for them to do so.
As such, I experience the profession as a great responsibility, an awesome privilege, and a humbling testament to the expansiveness found in and amongst ourselves.
Make no mistake, I might well be amongst the staunchest of critics of man or humankind as a species or a collective. Many a theorist has noted the depths of depravity and evil demonstrated by human beings—libraries filled with history books and a few brief moments on a news channel attest to this.
In therapy however we deal with individual human beings who are not necessarily representatives of humankind. In fact, I am yet to encounter either a “bad” or a “non-courageous” person in therapy. I have witnessed the most broken and wounded of persons deeply driven to shield others from pain. I have seen some awake every new morning staring down the most formidable enemy who guarantees pain, promises nothing, and laughs in the face of hope.
One also sees brokenness, despair, vulnerability, and fear. Even these, whilst feeling their smallest, demonstrate self-transcendence as a type of purity only found in naked, vulnerable, truth.
This attests to the expansiveness possible within human souls. it is often when lost in darkness that a client unwittingly reveals a light from within, which all the while was never extinguished by the darkness, but rather altogether forgotten about and hence not reached for, not switched on.
This work offers the opportunity to be involved in the discovery, then the uncovering, followed by the illumination of that internal light, which sometimes may also gradually grow stronger and more radiant over time.
I care about people and their experiences deeply, and am therefore drawn towards assisting in relieving suffering and promoting growth and actualisation of others.
However, I am not the only helper in the therapy room: by being allowed to walk alongside a client for a season(s) in their life, my meaning, my reason, and my actualisation can find expression.
Style & Approach to Therapy
My primary aim is to provide that one, unique space where you are able to fully be yourself, be seen for who you are, and have your true self understood, affirmed, and valued. I aim to provide an open, non-judgmental, warm, and empathic environment within which clients can feel safe while navigating their journey of self-exploration.
In terms of personal style, you will simply encounter me as another person being myself, authentically and openly. I do tend to come across as soft-spoken, warm, and reassuring. I do not favour formality in therapy. The therapeutic relationship is unique and sometimes perplexing, and it is a professional one. The encounter itself however remains in its essence a personal one and as such I aim to be myself whilst observing the responsibilities inherent to my position in relation to a client. My perspective is that I cannot expect you to be comfortable being human, open, and vulnerable in what is unfamiliar territory to you if I do not demonstrate that it is safe to do so by being authentic myself. In the role of psychologist, being authentic does not mean that one can simply say anything that pops into one’s mind or discuss one’s personal affairs with clients. I always need to consider what is in the client’s best interest, but I nonetheless do so being as real as possible.
I naturally tend towards a focus on clients’ strengths rather than what they often see as “deficiencies” within themselves. I discuss this orientation at length under the section titled First Things First: The Law of Least Effort on the Therapeutic Approaches page.
Clients can also enter therapy for personal growth and development, self-insight, or for assistance in reaching particular goals they wish to achieve. I am here to help you navigate the unique journey you are embarking on, whether this is across calm or stormy waters.
When your goals for therapy have been established, I will ask you to tell me a bit more about yourself, your life, and the experiences you have had in your life thus far. And then we take things from there.
I am primarily psychodynamically oriented and mostly use this framework to make sense of clients’ experiences and inner dynamics. However, in terms of the therapeutic process itself, I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities to best suit the client’s unique dynamics, challenges, and strengths. Some of my preferred therapeutic modalities are comprehensively discussed on the Therapeutic Approaches page. I also have a deep affinity for existentialism and a growing passion for humanistic psychology.
I offer therapy in Afrikaans and English.
Mariska has made several mainstream media contributions in the form of op-eds, expert opinions, and radio interviews. These can be accessed on the Blog page.
My 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.
The above-mentioned publications are listed here.
Media Contributions
- Expert opinion: The earth is spinning faster than youth’s minds can handle. careersportal.co.za, 31 August 2022.
- Expert opinion: Impact of a missing child traumatic. Tygerburger, 29 July 2020.
- Pienaar, M. Op-ed: Maintaining good mental health during the national lockdown. University of the Western Cape website. 23 April 2020.
- Expert opinion: Fun and games a coping mechanism. Tygerburger, 29 April 2020.
- Expert opinion: Drop the stigma – you can treat schizophrenia. Tygerburger and Netwerk24.com, 4 March 2020.
- Radio interview: Teenage Suicide. CCFM, 20 February 2020.
- Pienaar, M. Op-ed: Spotlight on Teenage Suicide during this prevention week. Cape Times, 18 February 2020.
- Radio interview: Matric results and future options. Voice of the Cape FM, 27 January 2019.
- Pienaar, M. Op-ed: What’s next after matric results? City Vision and News24.com, 17 January 2019.
- Expert opinion: Matric is only the start of a journey. Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition), 5 January 2019.
- Pienaar, M. Op-ed: Depression in the Workplace. The Star, Pretoria News, and Voices360.com, 29 August 2018.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Manuel, D., Florence, M., Mpilo, M., Delport, A., Pienaar, M., Sinclair, D., Adams, S., & Savahl, S. (2020). Preliminary validation of the Afrikaans version of the Children’s Hope Scale. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 30(2), 162-165.
- Cheng, D.T., Meintjes, E.M., Stanton, M.E., Dodge, N.C., Pienaar, M., Warton, C.M.R., et al. (2017). Erratum to: “Functional MRI of Human Eyeblink Classical Conditioning in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders”. Cerebral Cortex, 28(2). 1 – 1.
- Cheng, D.T., Meintjes, E.M., Stanton, M.E., Dodge, N.C., Pienaar, M., Warton, C.M.R., et al. (2017). Funtional MRI of human eyeblink classical conditioningi n children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Cerebral Cortex, 27(7). 3752 – 3767.
- Cheng, D.T., Meintjes, E.M., Stanton, M.E., Desmond, J.E., Pienaar, M., Dodge, N.C., Power, J.M., Molteno, C.D., Disterhoft, J.F., Jacobson, J.L, & Jacobson, S.W. (2013). Functional MRI of cerebellar activity during eyeblink classical conditioning in children and adults. Human Brain Mapping, 35(4), 1390- 1403.
- Pienaar, M. (2011). An eco-existential understanding of time and psychological defences: Threats to the environment and implications for psychotherapy. Ecopsychology, 3(1), 25-39.
- Jacobson, S.W., Stanton, M.E., Dodge, N.C., Pienaar, M., et al. (2010). Impaired delay and t race eye blink conditioning in school-age children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 35(2), 250 – 264.
- Pienaar, M., & Molteno, C.D. (2010). A self psychology perspective on the formulation and treatment of psychopathology in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Psycho-analytic Psychotherapy in South Africa (18)1, 58 – 80.
Conference Presentations
- Pienaar, M., Padmanabhanunni, A., & Smith, M.R. (2021). Barriers to Academic Performance Among Undergraduate First-Generation Students at a Previously Disadvantaged University in South Africa. Oral virtual presentation, 14th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain, November 2021.
- Pienaar, M., Padmanabhanunni, A., & Smith, M.R. (2021). The Relationship Between Social Support and Mental Health In a Sample of Undergraduate South African First-Generation Students. Oral virtual presentation, 32nd International Congress of Psychology, Prague, Czech Republic, July 2021.
- Pienaar, M., Padmanabhanunni, A., & Smith, M.R. (2019). Psychological and Socio-Demographic Factors Associated With University Academic Performance in a Developing Country. Oral presentation, 12th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain, November 2019. Full paper published in conference proceedings, ISBN: 978-84-09-14755-7.
- Pienaar, M., Padmanabhanunni, A., & Smith, M.R. (2019). Establishing a Psychosocial Profile and Correlates of Academic Performance Among South African First-Generation Students. Oral presentation, 11th Annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Palma De Mallorca, Spain, July 2019. Full paper published in conference proceedings, ISBN: 978-84-09-12031-4.
- Pienaar, M., Ipser, J., Stein, D.J., & Lochner, C. (2010). Bias towards negative facial expressions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Annual Academic Day, University of Stellenbosch Faculty of Health Sciences.Cheng, D.T., Meintjes, E.M., Stanton, M.E., Desmond, J.E., Pienaar, M., et al. (2010). Functional MRI of children during eyeblink classical conditioning. Pavlovian Society Annual Meeting, Baltimore, USA.
- Carter, R. C., Duggan, C. P., Molteno, C. D., September, M., Pienaar, M., Hongyu, J., et al. (2010). The Relation of Fetal Alcohol Exposure to Growth and Body Composition in Cape Town, South African Children. 33rd Annual Meeting of the Research-Society-on-Alcoholism, San Antonio, Texas.
- Pienaar, M., Jacobson, S., Molteno, C., Van Niekerk, M., September, M., & Jacobson, J. (2007). Prenatal alcohol exposure and characteristics of temperament in infancy and early childhood.
- Van Niekerk, M., Jacobson, S., Molteno, C., Pienaar, M., September, M., & Jacobson, J. (2007). Socio-environmental correlates of prenatal alcohol exposure in an urban community in Cape Town.
- Oberlander, T.F., Jacobson, S.W., Weinberg, J., Granua, R., Molteno, C.D., Pienaar, M., et al. (2007). The relation of prenatal alcohol exposure to pain reactivity in neonates. 30th Annual Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Chicago, USA.
- Dodge, N., Jacobson, S., Molteno, C., Pienaar, M., et al. (2007). Precursors of arithmetic deficits in fetal alcohol exposed children in Cape Town, South Africa. 30th Annual Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Chicago, USA.
- Jacobson, S.W., Molteno, C.D., Jacobson, J.L., Hay, M.A., Aitken, L., Pienaar, M., et al. (2006). Deficits in number processing and executive function in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in preschool children. International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism World Congress on Alcohol Research, Sydney, Australia.
Book Chapter
- Manuel, D., Florence, M., Mpilo, M., Delport, A., Pienaar, M., Sinclair, D., Adams, Pienaar, M. (2015). States of Consciousness. In J. Hassin (Ed.), Psychology: Themes & Variations (South African Edition). United Kingdom: Cengage Learning.
Dissertations & Reports
- Pienaar, M. (2022). Establishing a Psychosocial and Needs Profile of Undergraduate First-Generation Students at an Identified Historically Disadvantaged Institution. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of the Western Cape.
- Koch, C., Pienaar, M., Strauss, E., & Cilliers, C.D. (2012). An internal research report about the Generation Y students and possible service delivery implications for the Centre for Student Counselling and Development. Unpublished research report, Stellenbosch University.
- Pienaar, M. (2005). Using implicit association measures to establish interactions between self-esteem and racism in South Africa. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Professional Profiles
More information on my work and research experience can be found by visiting the profiles as outlined below.
A Word from Dr. Mariska Pienaar
“You probably know a little more about me now, but perhaps you still have some questions about me, the services I offer, and/or questions around psychotherapy/psychology in general. The website is designed with the aim of providing clients with as broad as possible a range of information pertaining to what I do in my work, whom I work with and in what focus areas, and how I work.
The website also has the aim of being psychoeducational. You might learn a few new things or skills just by browsing through and reading various sections of the website. I would be very happy if any information on the website could be of use to you, even if you don’t take the step of establishing contact.
Should you have any questions, would otherwise like to make contact, or want to schedule an appointment, please visit the Contact page.
Thank you for visiting my webpage. I hope that you might find an answer(s), information, or perhaps a direction to be taken going forward.
I look forward to meeting you and perhaps having the privilege of journeying with you for a season in your life.
It is not a simple or easy decision for everyone to explore going into therapy. Especially if not familiar with the process, it can appear a foreign and threatening prospect. Should you find yourself struggling, but not quite ready to take the step, it is very important to reach out to somebody you can trust and talk to, even if it is not a professional person. There are also emergency contact details on the Contact page of the website. You are also very welcome to contact me should you want to obtain more information before deciding whether to make an appointment. “