South African Institue For Traumatic Stress
Room 122 Emthonjeni Centre, University of the Witwatersrand
Cr Jorrisen & Station Streets (Entrance from Station Street)
Braamfontein Johannesburg, 2001
Tel: (+27 11) 717 8677, Mobile: 084 2988 135, Fax: 086-6568-216
Leoni.Futter@wits.ac.za

About the Institute and Trainers.

The South African Institute for Traumatic Stress (SAITS) has been operating since the 18th of May 2000, offering ongoing research-based training and development to mental health practitioners in the field.

The core activities of the institute are:

• The development and distribution of a high quality body of theory and practical knowledge that is appropriate for the provision of trauma response services within Southern Africa.
• The provision of a high standard of training and ongoing technical support and supervision to mental health service providers and frontline workers, including those who would not otherwise have access to such training.
• Contributing to the establishment of a set of standards and regulations for training and practice in trauma work for South Africa.

The Trainers:
The current directors of SAITS are acknowledged leaders and specialists in the field of traumatic stress, with a deep understanding of the challenges in this regard, useful networks in the field of trauma, and are regularly called on to consult both nationally and internationally. Apart from their substantial experience in setting up and running trauma services, they have conducted research and presented and published extensively in the field. Several directors have taught courses in traumatic stress at university level. In addition, SAITS members regularly consult and communicate with international trauma specialists.

Dr. Merle Friedman (Clinical Psychologist).
Is one of the founding members of SAITS, has served on the board of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) for several years. is a highly acclaimed and internationally recognised trauma specialist who has concluded extensive research, written and presented numerous articles on traumatic stress at both an international and national level and has extensive experience in developing clinical interventions with survivors of trauma in both corporate and non-corporate environments, as well as in teaching courses in traumatic stress at post-graduate level.

Craig Higson-Smith (Research Psychologist).
Has concluded extensive research in the field of trauma, produced several publications in the field of trauma, set up and managed the KwaZulu-Natal programme for survivors of violence, has presented extensively on trauma locally and internationally.

Dr. Annemarie Novello (Clinical Psychologist)
Has extensive experience in trauma training in South Africa, in clinical interventions with victims of trauma, and teaches courses in traumatic stress at post-graduate level.

Prof. Gill Eagle (Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer at WITS University)
Has extensive experience in training and supervising post-graduate students and professionals in the field of trauma, gained expertise in trauma treatment, concluded extensive research and produced several publications in the field of trauma.

Karen Cohen (Clinical Psychologist, currently in China)
Has experience in trauma treatment and clinical interventions in corporate, private and community based settings, and has conducted several trainings in the trauma field around South Africa and in China.

Nomfundo Mogapi (Clinical psychologist CSVR).
Has experience in trauma treatment with particular focus on ex-combatants and community work, has conducted several trainings in the trauma field around South Africa, and presented papers both locally and internationally.

Berenice Meintjies (Clinical Psychologist)
Has extensive experience in trauma treatment and running trauma services within South Africa, and

Vusi Khoza (Clinical Social Worker)
Has extensive experience in trauma treatment, in running community based trauma services and in trauma training in South Africa.