Kirsten Curtis

I completed my MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention at The University of Oxford, UK. This qualifies me as clinical social worker, who can conduct in- depth assessments, interventions (i.e., therapy, counselling, group work) psychometric testing, and statutory reports. My first fellowship was completed at the University of Cambridge (Faculty of Education) and a University College London (UCL). I was then invited to do a further two fellowships, one at the Amsterdam Medical Centre, in The Netherlands and third at the Max Planck Institute of Psychology/Psychiatry in Munich. This invaluable experience gave me a wide variety of training and practice by working with diverse populations, predominantly youth and families.

I have successfully completed a BA Honours in Social Science and Social Work (Cum Laude) at UJ within the Psychological Practice field. During my undergraduate studies, I was an active student; involved across the campus in academia, sport, and outreach. In 2004, I was elected as the SRC Chairperson at UJ, which gave me the opportunity to mediate the historical transition from the then RAU to UJ. Aside from academics and leadership, I wanted to get the best education and experience globally and was honored to receive the Rhodes Scholarship to complete my Postgraduate studies at The University of Oxford. Following the successful completion of my Masters, as briefly mentioned, I was invited for a yearlong fellowship at The University of Cambridge in the Education Faculty, working and being exposed to different types of schools (mainstream, remedial, special needs etc.) I spent 18 months at The Max Plank institute of Psychiatry and another 18 months at the Amsterdam Medical Centre in the Netherlands as a researcher and practitioner, completing these fellowships. *Please see CV for further details.

I completed my MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention at The University of Oxford, UK. This qualifies me as clinical social worker, who can conduct in- depth assessments, interventions (i.e., therapy, counselling, group work) psychometric testing, and statutory reports. My first fellowship was completed at the University of Cambridge (Faculty of Education) and a University College London (UCL). I was then invited to do a further two fellowships, one at the Amsterdam Medical Centre, in The Netherlands and third at the Max Planck Institute of Psychology/Psychiatry in Munich. This invaluable experience gave me a wide variety of training and practice by working with diverse populations, predominantly youth and families.

Having travelled, studied, and lived abroad I have the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment on multiple levels. This ethic ties in with Pridwins mission of ensuring that ‘every family feel included’, by embracing the spirit of diversity we have in South Africa. For my continued professional development, I am in the second year (part time) of my PhD thesis which is titled, “Born-Free Mixed-Race Youth – the experiences, challenges, coping resources and support needs of Mixed-Race Youth in South Africa”. Given the enormous challenges of racial tensions, discrimination, gender diversity and the need for inclusiveness to name a few, I decided to increase my knowledge and self-development by undertaking a PhD in this field. Not only in South Africa, but globally, our youth are often faced with prejudice, exclusion and preconceived judgement and thus broadening my expertise on these themes, is something close to my heart.

I have successfully completed a BA Honours in Social Science and Social Work (Cum Laude) at UJ within the Psychological Practice field. During my undergraduate studies, I was an active student; involved across the campus in academia, sport, and outreach. In 2004, I was elected as the SRC Chairperson at UJ, which gave me the opportunity to mediate the historical transition from the then RAU to UJ. Aside from academics and leadership, I wanted to get the best education and experience globally and was honored to receive the Rhodes Scholarship to complete my Postgraduate studies at The University of Oxford. Following the successful completion of my Masters, as briefly mentioned, I was invited for a yearlong fellowship at The University of Cambridge in the Education Faculty, working and being exposed to different types of schools (mainstream, remedial, special needs etc.) I spent 18 months at The Max Plank institute of Psychiatry and another 18 months at the Amsterdam Medical Centre in the Netherlands as a researcher and practitioner, completing these fellowships. My heart always brought me back to South Africa and having gained invaluable international experience, I returned home in 2009.

I completed my MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention at The University of Oxford, UK. This qualifies me as clinical social worker, who can conduct in- depth assessments, interventions (i.e., therapy, counselling, group work) psychometric testing, and statutory reports. My first fellowship was completed at the University of Cambridge (Faculty of Education) and a University College London (UCL). I was then invited to do a further two fellowships, one at the Amsterdam Medical Centre, in The Netherlands and third at the Max Planck Institute of Psychology/Psychiatry in Munich. This invaluable experience gave me a wide variety of training and practice by working with diverse populations, predominantly youth and families.