ABOUT DR TARYN McGOWAN
I am a HPCSA registered Clinical Psychologist based in Stellenbosch providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples and families. My areas of focus include depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, relationship issues and sports psychology. I enjoy working with adolescents and young adults, assisting them with a range of therapeutic techniques to improve their mental health. Couple therapy remains an interest of mine, using Emotionally Focused Therapy to aid couples in re-creating connection and improving communication.
Background
After completing a BSocSci (Honours) degree in Criminal Justice and Law I began my career working for the South African Police Service as a Ballistics Analyst in the Forensic Science Laboratory where I stayed for three years. After leaving the SAPS in 2010 to enrol for my Honours degree in Psychology, I spent time offering counselling services to victims of crime at Kirstenhof Police Station. I completed my master’s at Stellenbosch University and both my clinical internship and community service at Lentegeur Hospital in Mitchell’s Plain. I obtained my Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology from Stellenbosch University in December 2024 with a thesis entitled: ‘Task-shifting to increase well-being among first-year university students: a feasibility RCT study’.
Qualifications
I have a PhD and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Stellenbosch University, a BSocSci (Honours) degree in Criminal Justice from UCT and the following degrees from UNISA: BA (Honours) Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology).
Publications
McGowan, T.C and Kagee, A. (2014). Exposure to traumatic events and symptoms of post-traumatic stress among South African university students. South African Journal of Psychology 34(3) 327-339.
Bantjes, J., Kagee, A., McGowan, T.C. (2015). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety as predictors of suicidal ideation among South African university students. Journal of American College Health 64(6) 429-437.

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
– Carl Jung