Our Vision
To promote dignity and emotional well-being to all.
Our Mission
To provide accessible, professional mental health services.
What is counselling?
Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counsellor and client. Professional counsellors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.
- Communities
- Victims
- Youth
over
Individuals Given Hope
GHPS Staff
Our Professional Team
Carien de Klerk
DIRECTOR & COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST
José Layman
OFFICE MANAGER
Heidi Schütter
OPERATIONAL MANAGER
Heléne Smit
REGISTERED COUNSELLOR
Jenny Twigg
REGISTERED COUNSELLOR
Mariaan Brand
SOCIAL WORKER & CHILD THERAPIST
Mariëtte Hutton
THERAPY THROUGH ART
Marleen van Rooyen
PSYCHIATRIC SISTER
Sara van Tonder
CLINICAL PASTORATE
Paula Cotton
VOLUNTEER COUNSELOR
Tish Els
REGISTERED COUNSELLOR
As a registered non-profit organisation, GHPS is governed by a board of directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for developing long-term policies and planning strategies for the organisation.
GHPS Directors
Our Board of Directors
Cheryl Farao
SOCIAL WORKER & CSI MANAGER, REMGRO
Carien de Klerk
DIRECTOR & COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST
Robin Julies
REGISTERED COUNSELLOR & OWNER OF AFRICAN POPULATION BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Our History
How it started
Good Hope Psychological Service (GHPS) was founded by Elzabé Broekmann who had a desire to contribute to the psychological well-being of her fellow South Africans.
In 1996, the director of the Unit for Counselling Psychology (University of Stellenbosch) started a free psychological service at Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital, and Elzabé was appointed as the supervisor for the intern psychologists who worked at the hospital. And, in so doing, Good Hope Psychological Service was born.
Towards the end of 1999, when the university withdrew its financial support for this project, its future looked dim. But with the help of the social worker at the hospital, the state psychiatrist and Elzabé, they were able to keep the service going and survive the uncertainty of 2000. From 2001 onwards, Good Hope Psychological Service has been able to offer an uninterrupted service with the financial support of a Stellenbosch Trust.
In 2003, the state psychiatrist and Elzabé started a similar service at the TC Newman Provincial Hospital in Paarl. Despite financial difficulties these two services are still, until now, providing about 1,000 people annually [check stats] with a sympathetic ear and expert psychological help.
Elzabé’s personal motto was to listen to the music of life through the inevitable static. Her hope was therefore that our clients at GHPS will also, through our efforts, be enabled to hear the music of life, albeit more difficult in their adverse circumstances. She saluted the spirit of ordinary South Africans, especially those who amidst suffering, hardship and poverty manage to live courageous and meaningful lives. We at GHPS aim to uphold her heartfelt vision and mission by expressing our care and the care of our donors, as well as our faith in God, our country and its people through our work for many years to come.
Video of Elzabé Broekmann, founder of Good Hope Psychological Service, in a video a few years ago.