After graduating from the University of Johannesburg, Christel began her career in Child Protection in the United Kingdom. Upon her return to South Africa, she worked at the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home as a Social Worker for four years. Christel commenced working as a Senior Social Worker for the Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital in South Africa, and continue there for a further sixteen years. Christel transitioned her unique knowledge into the Government Hospital through specialised services in Mental Health Intervention and Forensic Mental Assessment of mentally ill adults and children who were in conflict with the law. 

In 2018, Christel began her journey into gaining a Master’s Degree in Occupational Social Work, which demonstrated Christel’s strong desire for lifelong learning, and improvement in her clinical knowledge. Eager to apply her knowledge, she implemented a range of policy and program improvements within the hospital in order to improve the work health and safety for herself and her colleagues.   

In 2022, Christel relocated from South Africa to Australia. Christel has progressed in her role as a Social Worker through working with clients who present with a variety of emotional, psychosocial, and physical barriers. Christel has a passion for working with people with mental health issues through using a strength-based and solution focused approach with each client. Christel utilises her strengths in analytical and forensic assessment skills from working in the clinical field to empower clients in improving their quality of life.  

Christel possesses exceptional knowledge of emotional intelligence and mental health issues, which aids her when providing counselling, mentoring, and mental health treatment to her clients. Christel integrates a psychosocial approach in supporting her client in reintegrating back into work. 

Christel’s special skills include client engagement and rapport building; mental health care, first aid and counselling; and solution focused interventions.