ABOUT
Hayley Shannon
I am a Clinical Psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Africa, where I trained within family systems and ecosystemic frameworks. I work with adolescents and adults, as well as couples and families, and approach therapy in a collaborative and respectful way. I view each client as the expert in their own life, and aim to create a space where they feel heard, understood, and supported while working toward meaningful and lasting change.
My clinical training included an internship at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital, where I worked with acute psychiatric inpatients, the forensic unit, and community clinics. I completed my community service at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre (Remand Detention Facility), where I gained further experience in risk assessment and offender profiling.
I have five years of experience in the Forensic Psychiatry Unit at Valkenberg Hospital. In this role, I worked closely with court-referred individuals, conducting assessments of fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act. This work required careful, balanced evaluation within complex clinical and legal contexts.
I have also conducted civil assessments, including fitness-to-parent evaluations and care and contact recommendations as ordered by the Children’s Court, always with a focus on the best interests of the child and the broader family system.
In addition to my clinical and forensic work, I have held a joint appointment with the University of Cape Town (UCT) within the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health. In this role, I conducted research on mentally ill state patients within the forensic service, contributed to the teaching and training of psychiatry registrars, and supervised intern clinical psychologists.
In my therapeutic work, I draw predominantly from a systemic perspective, recognising that we do not exist in isolation, but within broader relational, social, and cultural systems. Our experiences—and the way we make sense of difficulties—are often shaped by the contexts we find ourselves in.
With this in mind, I remain flexible in my approach, integrating different therapeutic frameworks where appropriate so that the work is responsive to each client’s unique needs and experiences.
I aim to meet clients where they are, with an appreciation that psychotherapy can be a vulnerable process. I work collaboratively, respecting that clients are the experts in their own lives while offering guidance, insight, and support along the way.
On a more personal level, I approach people with curiosity, compassion, and a genuine interest in understanding their stories. I value seeing the best in others and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those I work with, both professionally and personally. I have always been drawn to understanding the bigger picture—an interest that continues to shape how I think about people, relationships, and the challenges they face.
