Welcome to Glenbrook Practice and STEP-UPP®

Glenbrook Practice is committed to providing comprehensive and personalised care that fosters growth and self-awareness, essential components of overall well-being. Our guiding philosophy, “Growth Through Awareness,” underscores the significance of self-discovery and personal development in achieving mental health and personal fulfilment.

Our Story

Founded by Jonathan Mitchell in 2015, Glenbrook Practice (Pty) Ltd is deeply rooted in extensive experience and robust expertise.

Our Services

Glenbrook Practice offers various life skills programmes to promote mental health and personal growth. Our flagship programs include:

Step-upp (established in 2018): This 12-week DBT skills-based programme serves teens and tweens and is led by a dedicated team of six facilitators. We also offer an 8-week DBT skills-based programme for adults, a parent support group, a BPD support group, and parenting dialectical workshops.

Coming Soon

Rise-Upp: A specially designed programme for neurodiverse teens.
Glenbrook Corporate DBT Skills & Strategy Workshops: Tailored for business professionals.
One-Day Entrepreneurial Workshop for Young Adults

Our Commitment

At Glenbrook Practice, we strive to create a nurturing and supportive environment. We believe in empowering our clients to explore their inner landscapes and unlock their full potential, leading a more enriched and balanced life.

Meet your Facilitators

CAPE TOWN

Jonathan Mitchell

Programme Director, Counsellor and DBT skills trainer

Jonathan Mitchell founded Glenbrook Practice (Pty) Ltd in 2015. Glenbrook Practice  is deeply rooted in extensive experience and robust expertise.

After a fulfilling 20-year career, Jonathan’s dedication led him to complete an RA course, which opened the door to a full-time position at Kenilworth Clinic Cape Town (now Akeso Clinic Kenilworth). During his three-year tenure, Jonathan specialised in family, group, and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), solidifying his proficiency in these areas. Leading and the DBT group, he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these skills in individuals’ lives.

Driven by a passion for learning, Jonathan earned a BA in Health Sciences and Social Services, focusing on Psychological Counseling. He further enriched his skill set through Lifeline’s personal growth and counselling courses, followed by a year of volunteer work that deepened his counselling expertise.

Glenbrook Practice offers various life skills programmes to promote mental health and personal growth.

BA (HSS) (Psych) (UNISA)

Joanna Mitchell

Programme Director

Joanna is the Step-Upp® boss and is in charge of all things admin with Step-Upp®.
Should you have any questions please email Joanna admin@glenbrookpractice.co.zaadmin@glenbrookpractice.co.za or call her on +27 83 227 9771

CHRISTIANE VILJOEN

DBT Facilitator – Teens

Christiane obtained her Bachelor of arts Honours in Psychology degree, with distinction, from Varsity College. Her Counselling journey began at The Family Counselling Centre, when she joined the counselling apprenticeship program; this program created a bridge, connecting the theory taught in university with the real world. On the completion of this apprenticeship, Christiane joined The Family Counselling Centre team as a practicing counsellor in 2021. It was here that she found her passion to encourage the development of personal insight for her clients, and to provide them with the tools necessary to assist them on their journey.

This passion to encourage the development of personal insight for her clients has inspired Christiane to utilise holistic approaches towards her clients’ unique needs and has in turn, inspired her to enrol in many courses and training programs in her search to provide unique and client tailored approaches in her work as a mental health care practitioner

The knowledge, skills and experiences Christiane has gained during her psychological studies and ventures has shaped and enabled her to view the world differently, to utilise her strengths in innovative and creative ways, and has provided her with the power of understanding and an empathy for adversity.

Christiane truly feels that she has been called to this field due to the experiences she has had and her desire to help others.

Laeni Gittins

DBT Facilitator – Tweens & Teens 

Laeni has been facilitating Step-Upp® DBT programmes for the past seven years, with a special focus on guiding tweens through their emotional development. Her expertise lies in helping young individuals grasp essential life skills, and she finds immense joy in watching their confidence blossom as they navigate the 12-week programme. With each group, Laeni is inspired by the moments of understanding that light up their faces as they embrace tools that will serve them for a lifetime.

As a mother, Laeni deeply appreciates the need for children to have a strong foundation of practical skills, especially in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world. She believes the Step-Upp® Tweens programme equips children with invaluable resources to face life’s challenges, fostering resilience, adaptability, and success from a young age.

She is confident that the skills teens gain through the 12-week teen programme will be invaluable to successfully navigating the complexities of life.

Diploma in DBT – Centre of Excellence | Oxford diploma in art therapy

Jess Mary Graham

DBT Facilitator – Teens

Jess was born and raised in Cape Town. Attending Kirstenhof Primary School, and then completing high school at Springfield in 2015. She had also trained under Kimura Shukokai Karate for 10 years, achieving bronze medal on the world stage and received her Black Belt. After a gap year of personal development, she decided to attend The South African College of Applied Psychology and attained a Bachelor of Applied Social Science, majoring in Counselling Psychology. She completed this degree with distinctions in her Work Integrated Learning modules.

Jess approaches counselling with an eclectic and holistic veiw of human nature and growth, with the idea that each person and system is inherently capable of change/healing- requiring the space and unconditional acceptance to discover the best inside them. She incorporates ideology from Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy, DBT, and Eastern philosophies & healing.

She has specific interests in working with tweens and teenagers dealing with: emotional dysregulation, risky behaviour, distress intolerance, gender identity, and sexuality.
Jess’ interests and hobbies include: Spending time with animals, nature walks, meditation, skating, hiking, music, and Taoism.

Bachelor of Applied Social Science, Major in Counselling & Psychology

Tertius Scheepers

DBT Facilitator – Teens

Tertius was born and raised in town of Springbok in the Namaqualand region of the Northern Cape, after which he moved to Cape Town to pursue his career and spent a decade in the Arts. While studying Tertius spent a lot of time interning at a Community Radio station where he was exposed to the communities and all the battles faced within them. Through the medium of music he found that what he most enjoyed about it, is the connection it nurtures between people. This eventually led to a passion for the helping arts. To further his dream, Tertius proceeded to Graduate with Distinction his BA in Psychological Counselling, taking special interest in Counselling for youth and how they can benefit from preventative care.

Being a people person, working in the arts and more specifically the entertainment industry has given Tertius a broad understanding of people from all walks of life that practise different forms of expression and communication. With an ever-growing interest in the human mind and its individuality Tertius seeks to expand his knowledge base at every given opportunity and learn all the comprehensive skills that a counsellor would need to practise the helping arts. In his off time, Tertius is an avid musician, photographer and writer, that likes to explore nature – passionate about everything that he is interested in.
BA (Psych)(UNISA)

KERRYN VOORTMAN

DBT Facilitator – Tweens Pinelands

With a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching and a Bachelor of Honours in Inclusive Education, Kerryn’s journey in education has been deeply rooted in the belief that teaching is not just a profession, but a calling passed down through generations of educators in her family.

Her dedication to fostering inclusive learning environments stems from my diverse experiences, including her role as a homeschool teacher/facilitator for a neurodivergent child. Through this experience, she has learned first-hand the transformative power of personalised, play-based learning approaches in nurturing each child’s unique potential.

Collaborating with the GROW Educare team in curriculum development further enriched her understanding of early childhood education, allowing Kerryn to integrate innovative teaching practices that cater to the holistic development of every child. With SACE registration and a background in online English language teaching for children, she is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and enriching educational experience for all young learners

Beyond the classroom, Kerryn find joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it’s immersing herself in a good book, creating beautiful crochet pieces, enjoying outdoor adventures with her canine companion, or diving into the refreshing waters of tidal pools.  Kerryn runs the Sunrise Centre playschool. You can view her website here.

SOMERSET WEST

Liezl Kruger

DBT Facilitator – Tweens Somerset West

Liezl is both a teacher (ADHD facilitator) and kinderkineticist (a paediatric movement development specialist). She generates holistic and remedial exercise programs which aim to stimulate, remedy and promote specific gross motor skills and physical development.
Liezl also links academic struggles to movement developmental delays or atypical movement patterns. With her psychology degree, she develops movement programmes to assist with emotional self-regulation with regards to frustration, anger etc. All of her programs are play-based in nature. I aim to guide kiddies towards fun-filled activities and experiences which would naturally help them learn and grow!  Liezl runs Nuture Lively Kids. Your can view her website here

JOHANNESBURG

Meryl Da Costa-Rohland

Johannesburg- DBT Facilitator

With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Meryl has held diverse roles, including Senior Counsellor at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), working in corporate employee wellness programs, and providing telehealth services at a national psychiatric clinic. As a former member of the Johannesburg Executive Board for PNDSA, Meryl was dedicated to supporting individuals with postnatal depression on a regional scale. Meryl has also facilitated support groups for trichotillomania and dermatillomania, guiding individuals through these challenging disorders.

Meryl’s expertise spans Positive Psychology, Neuroscience Coaching, and Mindfulness. Passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, Meryl focuses on fostering resilience, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Particularly attentive to guiding teens through adolescence, Meryl uses evidence-based strategies to build emotional resilience and social confidence. Meryl also emphasizes the importance of a supportive family dynamic and encourages parental involvement to enhance the growth process.

Grounding herself in nature through gardening and mindful walks helps Meryl stay balanced, and Meryl brings that same sense of calm into her sessions. Meryl’s holistic approach, which combines Positive Psychology, mindfulness, and a deep understanding of psychological principles, empowers clients to live authentically and face life’s challenges with confidence.

For more information on Meryl’s services, and qualifications, you can view her website here

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