I'm a General Psychiatrist with a special interest and 24 years experience in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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I've worked in Canada as a General Practitioner before my journey started in Paediatrics and Paediatric Oncology.

I also worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of the Free-State, as well as in Adult Oncology, while raising and enjoying my own children. 

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​We opened a private, 72-bed, Psychiatric Hospital, M-CARE Optima, in Bloemfontein, in 2010 where I was Head of the Adolescent Unit until my personal journey led me to Stellenbosch in 2017.

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Our dream to have a hospital where children and parents with mental health issues can be admitted to get help from various professionals finally came true after a challenging 18-month journey.

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​I am the Head of the Children and Adolescent units and my partner, Dr Fanie Meyer, is our CEO. We treat patients with mental health issues such as:

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1. Mood Disorders (Depression/Bipolar Mood Disorder)

2. Anxiety Disorders

3. Post-traumatic Stress

4. Autism Spectrum Disorders

5. Complicated ADHD 

6. Mental Disorders secondary to medical illness

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My degrees are:

MBChB(UFS)

FCPsych

MMed(Psig) (UFS)

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

021 206 8502 (Petra)

practice@optimarustenvrede.com​