About Us
Who We Are
Mhloisane Joel Mbhele is a clinical psychologist, trained in South Africa and currently
based in Christchurch. He has extensive experience providing psychotherapy to
individuals with a history of trauma, including sexual trauma and violence, and those
with violent behaviours in forensic settings. He has 7 years’ experience of working as a
private psychologist providing psychoeducation through media outlets in South Africa,
training leaders and engaging in community projects (support for refugees).
His passion lies in working with communities dealing with childhood wounds,
intergenerational trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD. He believes trauma extends
beyond life-threatening events to include experiences like separation, relational
difficulties, work problems, and adjusting to new environments. His treatment
approach draws from evidence-based modalities, primarily schema therapy, a ‘bottom
up’ approach addressing underlying psychological difficulties.
About Us
Who We Are
Mhloisane Joel Mbhele is a clinical psychologist, trained in South Africa and currently
based in Christchurch. He has extensive experience providing psychotherapy to
individuals with a history of trauma, including sexual trauma and violence, and those
with violent behaviours in forensic settings. He has 7 years experience of working as a psychologist in South Africa and three years experience of working as a psychologist in New Zealand . In addition to psychotherapy experience, Joel has provided clinical opinions in media, high courts and through workshops within communities.
His passion lies in working with communities dealing with childhood wounds,
intergenerational trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD. He believes trauma extends
beyond life-threatening events to include experiences like separation, relational
difficulties, work problems, and adjusting to new environments. His treatment
approach draws from evidence-based modalities, primarily schema therapy, a 'bottom
up' approach addressing underlying psychological difficulties.
He has nine years of experience in group therapy, including working with Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa, providing psychoeducation on the psychological impact of migration and resettlement, and offering therapeutic skills. He also led group therapy for men dealing with historical trauma and discrimination based on race, and for individuals rehabilitating from violent behaviours, personality disorders, and traumatic brain injury, utilizing CBT, DBT, and Schema therapy.
His overall therapeutic approach is based on the belief that healing occurs naturally when individuals feel connected to themselves and others, emphasizing deep, authentic emotional connections between therapist and client. He also has experience in psychological assessment and writing psychological reports, having been invited as an expert witness in high courts in South Africa to provide opinions on trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Joel Mbhele is available to provide individual or group psychological support for clients undergoing resettlement or seeking refugee status, or for any related psychological issues. His office is located at #35 Riccarton Rd, Unit 11, Christchurch. He is registered with the Board of Psychology in New Zealand and the New Zealand College of Psychologist Association. He is fluent in English, Zulu, and Sesotho languages.
"We heal through connections."
Our Services
I am a clinical psychologist located at Riccarton Road 35, Unit 11 Christchurch . My slogan ‘We heal through connections.”’ The therapeutic approach is integrative, utilizing interventions from modalities like EMDR, DBT, and schema therapy, all within the context of deep, authentic emotional connections between the therapist and client. I believe this connection is key to facilitating healing, growth, and change.
Individual therapy
Individual therapy is offered for clients referred by ACC (for independence training, pain services, or sensitive claims) and for self-referred clients presenting with psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma. The psychologist has a particular interest in how trauma affects relationships, work, and the relationship with food.
Treatment for ADHD adults
Immigration Evaluation
Group psychotherapy
Grief therapy group
