The people of CL Stander & Associates

Our occupational therapists

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  Charis Stols

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m Charis, an OT who thrives on harnessing the power of group therapy to inspire positive change and help clients rediscover their inner strengths.

  More about Charis Stols

  Hi, I’m Charis (pronounced Kha-ris). I’m passionate about OT and group therapy; I love how it can create positive change in people’s perspectives and daily lives. I earned my BSc in Occupational Therapy from Wits in 2019 and joined this team in 2021.

  I’m currently pursuing my Master’s degree focused on self-efficacy and discharge preparedness to help clients be more confident to apply the new skills they learn and build healthy habits when they return home.

  OT has helped me grow the best parts of myself and has allowed me to use my problem-solving skills to help clients build a life of meaning and purpose. It’s helped me realise the power of mindset, as we often know ‘what’ to do, but in reality, it’s difficult to set boundaries, take personal responsibility and actually implement new strategies.

  OT has allowed me to help people to rediscover their inner strengths, which often get forgotten when experiencing mental health challenges; which I think is perfectly depicted in the painting by Edvard Munch called ‘The Scream’. It illustrates the panic, isolation, and internal chaos that many people struggling with mental health experience. My goal is to guide my clients to reframe these overwhelming feelings from emotional turbulence to a source of strength and hope—essentially, to repaint their own sunrise to signify new possibilities.

  I enjoy new recipes, painting, chatting with loved ones, finding peace in nature and walks at sunsets.

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  Sonet Steyn

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their passions and unlock their hidden potential through a supportive and relaxed therapeutic environment.

  More about Sonet Steyn

  I’m passionate about helping people reconnect with their passions and rediscover the occupations that brought them joy. I hold a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of the Free State, with a special interest in psychiatric group therapy. Additionally, I’m trained as a Sensory Practitioner and ErgoScience practitioner, and have OT Grow training.

  I believe in creating a relaxed, supportive therapeutic environment and enjoy working with clients of all ages. My goal is to empower individuals by helping them tap into their hidden potential.

  When I’m not at work, you’ll find me out seeking new adventures. I’m a collector of experiences, always on the lookout for authentic ways to connect with the world around me.

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  Mari Geerkens

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m passionate about creating a warm, supportive environment where people feel valued, while contributing to meaningful, client-centred care.

  More about Mari Geerkens

  My name is Mari, and as much as I am a therapist by heart, I am, more than anything, a lover of connection and adventure.

  I obtained my degree from the UFS and worked my community service year in a small primary health care facility in the beautiful rural Eastern Cape. After taking a career break, living and working abroad, I joined this team and started my journey in the mental health sphere. I am OT Grow trained and actively working on improving my DBT therapeutic skills.

  By nature, I am curious to meet new people and see new places. I once got the advice to “never leave an interaction unchanged”, which has had such a significant impact on how I view the value of each individual I engage with (and get the privilege to learn from). As part of my professional philosophy, I am a firm believer that my interactions and experiences become part of my repertoire of skills to understand people better. This guides me to become more client-centred, open-minded and purpose-driven.

  My favourite part of OT is my ability to assist clients to tap into their inner wisdom, in order to understand themselves better, improve their interpersonal effectiveness and role fulfilment, and live a more meaningful life. I would like to believe that this process ignites a small fire of change within relationships, families, work environments and communities, and ultimately, the bigger collective society.

  When I am not busy with work, you’ll probably find me making something with my hands, exploring new places/things or chatting to someone. Being creative and creating something (whether through crafting, fashion, writing, travelling or cooking) fuels me for life!

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  Shayna Berman

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m committed to supporting individuals in regaining balance, meaning, and skills in their daily lives, with a special focus on mental health and geriatrics.

  More about Shayna Berman

  Hi! My name is Shayna Berman, an Occupational Therapist at CL Stander & Associates. It is a privilege to be a mental health OT: to be able to meet so many incredible individuals and play a role in their therapeutic journey, assisting with restoring balance and meaning to their everyday occupations, as well as assisting with improving mood and developing important skills along the way!

  I graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. I also became a Member of The Golden Key International Honour Society due to my academic performance in my first year of studies. I completed my community service at Tambo Memorial Hospital, where I worked primarily in adult psychiatry and neurology, as well as paediatrics. Prior to working at CL Stander and Associates, I’ve worked in the mental health industry in private practice for a couple of years.

  I have also completed my Activity Performance Outcome Measure (APOM) training, and I am also OTGrow trained. I also have a special interest in geriatrics, where I can serve and give back to the older generation who we can learn so much from!

  I also find immense value in assisting my patients on their grieving journey.

  In my spare time, I love expressing myself through playing piano, and my passion for activity engagement extends past my work, where I love playing games, whether it’s a loud 30 Seconds game with my family, or some quiet time working on a Sudoku.

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  Heema Gordhan

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m passionate about mental health, blending mindfulness, movement, and creativity to help individuals unlock their potential and achieve balance in life.

  More about Heema Gordhan

  Hi, I am Heema. I am a dedicated occupational therapist with a strong passion for mental health. As an occupational therapist, I have the privilege of helping individuals unlock their hidden potential in all areas of their life by overcoming barriers, through meaningful activities and connections.

  I have the opportunity to make the impossible possible by being a mender of hope for individuals.

  I completed my studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and carried out my community service year at Tambo Memorial Hospital in 2020. This is where my passion for mental health was ignited. This was further fuelled during my time in the public sector where I gained valuable skills and knowledge.

  I believe in continuous growth and am committed to ongoing learning to ensure that I can bring the most up-to-date strategies for clients. One of my most recent courses is in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Integrating mindfulness, movement and creative activities into my therapeutic sessions are some of my key strengths to foster emotional regulation, self-awareness, social interaction and build self-confidence.

  My professional philosophy is rooted in a belief that everyone can achieve a sense of balance and fulfilment with the right support. I am committed to creating a safe, empathetic space where my clients feel empowered to take steps toward healing in terms of achieving their personal goals and maintaining a meaningful and harmonious lifestyle.

  I am not only a strong proponent of a balanced lifestyle for clients but also myself. Outside of the work environment, I prioritise spending time with friends and family as well as engaging in physical and cultural activities. I am a trained Indian Classical Dancer, in the art form of Bharatanatyam and have completed gradings in piano. My most recent endeavour is tackling the sport of tennis.

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  Mia Rutte

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m passionate about creating a safe, compassionate and inclusive space where individuals feel heard, empowered and supported in their therapeutic journey.

  More about Mia Rutte

  Hi there, my name is Mia Rutte, and I’m an Occupational Therapist at CL Stander & Associates. I am blessed to work in a profession that allows me to meet people from all walks of life and support them through some of their most challenging seasons. I’m passionate about creating a safe, compassionate and inclusive space where individuals feel heard, empowered and supported in their therapeutic journey. I particularly value helping people reconnect with themselves, find meaning in their everyday lives and develop practical skills to navigate life’s challenges.

  I graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. I completed my year of community service at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Africa, where I gained valuable experience working in a fast-paced environment and developed a strong appreciation for teamwork, adaptability and working under pressure. I initially worked in the orthopaedic subsection, primarily with ICU, adult burns and complex hand injuries, before rotating into psychiatry, where I worked with both adults and adolescents, predominantly within acute psychiatry. Following my community service year, I worked in private practice with a primary focus on neurorehabilitation, where I developed valuable experience in cognitive rehabilitation.

  I am also OTGrow trained, and I have a particular interest in mental health and the many ways occupational therapy can support emotional well-being, self-awareness, meaningful participation and personal growth. I am passionate about continually learning and growing as an OT so that I can provide thoughtful, individualised and client-centred care.

  Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, taking my dogs for walks in the park, going to the gym and unwinding with a good docuseries!

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  Olivia Shingange

  Occupational Therapist

  I’m an occupational therapist with a passion for mental health, human connection and the beautiful process of personal growth.

  More about Olivia Shingange

  Hi, I’m Olivia! I’m an occupational therapist with a passion for mental health, human connection and the beautiful process of personal growth. I find it incredibly rewarding to witness individuals grow in confidence, discover more of themselves and sometimes even surprise themselves with how far they have come.

  I obtained my BSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of the Western Cape in 2018 and my Postgraduate Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Pretoria in 2025. My professional journey has included experience in adult mental health, psychosocial rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation. I am also OT Grow and APOM trained, with a particular interest in psychosocial group therapy. I value the opportunities that groups create for shared experiences, meaningful connections, interpersonal learning and discovering different perspectives.

  My therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centred care, authenticity and genuine human connection. I believe in creating a space where individuals feel seen, heard and accepted for who they are. I value the importance of self-awareness and believe that growth often involves embracing discomfort and learning to become more comfortable with ourselves. While professionalism guides my practice, genuine human connection is at the heart of it. I bring my authentic self into the therapeutic space, with a touch of quirkiness, and hope to encourage others to feel comfortable doing the same.

  Outside of work, you’ll likely find me playing guitar, singing or dancing like nobody’s watching! I also enjoy a good stretch session and spending time in nature. I’m currently navigating the beautiful adventure of being a new mum and am constantly in awe of the joy and wonder of experiencing life through my daughter’s eyes.