Mariska Bester
Mental Health Practitioner
Hi, my name is Mariska and I am a Mental Health Practitioner.
I have a degree in Psychology and one in Criminology, and I am working towards a Master's in Psychology currently. I have experience helping people on crisis call lines, as well as recently with the Samaritans. I value the time I can have with each caller in their journey. I have always been interested in psychology, understanding how people work, how children develop, and mental health. Being able to volunteer and hear a snapshot of people’s stories has shown me how impactful it can be to simply listen and offer a safe space. I intend to bring that feeling into each session, with acceptance and guidance. My goal in working at Anxend is to offer this space to those children who are suffering from various mental health struggles. I hope that by doing this, we will be able to use their innate resilience, creativity, and strength to build helpful habits, and strategies, and help them feel calm again. My own struggles with mental health and my background in Psychology will help me greatly in understanding what others may be going through.
I love running and reading and an occasional crochet project in my spare time. I am originally from South Africa, and have loved moving here and exploring this wonderful country. I hope to explore more of the world one day and experience various cultures. I love learning about different cultures and I believe this passion for learning helps me in my work to learn about other people’s lives, their struggles, and how best to support them.