Dr Gillian Booysen – Specialist Psychiatrist – Kenilworth

Dr Gillian Booysen – Specialist Psychiatrist – Kenilworth

Dr Gillian Booysen practices exclusively at Netcare Akeso Kenilworth in Cape Town as a Specialist Psychiatrist. She provides compassionate, patient-centered care for a wide range of mental health conditions. Moreover, she integrates biological, psychological, and social factors into every treatment plan to ensure holistic recovery.

Dr Booysen earned her MBChB in 2014 and her MMed in Psychiatry in 2021—both from the University of Cape Town, where she graduated with distinction. During registrar training at Groote Schuur Hospital, she gained extensive experience in acute inpatient and outpatient services. Furthermore, she holds Fellowship status with the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa, reflecting her dedication to clinical excellence. Consequently, she publishes peer-reviewed research on caregiver depression and leads workshops on adult ADHD. In addition, she mentors junior clinicians and presents regularly at national psychiatric conferences.

Services

• Depressive Disorders: Dr Booysen conducts thorough mood assessments and crafts personalized care plans that combine psychopharmacology with evidence-based psychotherapy. As a result, she helps patients regain emotional balance and improve day-to-day function.

• Bipolar Mood Disorder: She stabilizes mood swings through tailored mood-stabiliser regimens and supportive therapy. Consequently, patients experience fewer episodes and enhanced quality of life.

• Anxiety Disorders: She employs cognitive behavioural therapy and relaxation techniques to reduce chronic worry and panic symptoms. Moreover, she integrates mindfulness exercises to strengthen coping skills.

• ADHD: Dr Booysen assesses attention and hyperactivity patterns, then prescribes targeted interventions—such as stimulant or non-stimulant medications—alongside coaching strategies to boost focus and organization.

• Sleep Disorders: She develops customized sleep hygiene programs and, when necessary, adds short-term pharmacological support to restore healthy sleep cycles and daytime alertness.

• Substance Use Disorders: She leads integrated dual-diagnosis care that addresses both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Therefore, she combines motivational interviewing, group therapy, and medication to minimize relapse risk.

• Trauma/Stressor-Related Disorders: She delivers trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, to help patients process and recover from distressing events. Consequently, individuals build resilience and regain a sense of safety.

• Psychotic Disorders: She manages symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum conditions with antipsychotic medication, psychosocial support, and family education to stabilize thought processes and foster community integration.

• Personality Disorders: She offers dialectical behaviour therapy and skills training modules—such as emotion regulation and distress tolerance—to help individuals navigate interpersonal challenges more effectively.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): She applies exposure and response prevention therapy combined with medication adjustments to reduce compulsive behaviors and intrusive thoughts, leading to meaningful symptom relief.

Additional Information

Netcare Akeso Kenilworth features secure private consultation suites with ambient lighting and soundproofing to promote confidentiality and calm. Additionally, the facility offers serene therapy gardens and dedicated group-therapy rooms designed for interactive workshops. The centre houses a modern Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) unit with continuous EEG monitoring and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) equipment for advanced neuro-modulation interventions.

The Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence (COPE) programme delivers structured group therapies—including mindfulness, art therapy, and social-skills workshops—within a cohesive treatment pathway. Consequently, inpatient stays of up to three weeks include daily therapeutic sessions and peer-support circles. Outpatient services feature scheduled follow-up consultations with psychiatrists, psychologists, and occupational therapists to ensure continuity of care.

Moreover, an online digital portal provides self-assessment tools and educational resources that empower patients and families between visits. A multidisciplinary team—including social workers, dietitians, and nursing specialists—collaborates on tailored pre-treatment plans and personalized discharge strategies. Finally, Dr Booysen’s enhanced recovery protocols emphasize early intervention, psychoeducation, and lifestyle adjustments to support lasting wellness.

Take control of your mental health by scheduling a consultation with Dr Gillian Booysen at Netcare Akeso Kenilworth today. Ask your referring physician to arrange an appointment or contact the clinic coordinator for assistance.