Dr Pieter Nel

Professional qualifications, accreditations and memberships

• PhD Child & Family Psychology
• MA Clinical Psychology
• Registered with the HCPC and the BPS
• Member of the Association of Family Therapy (AFT)

Professional experience

In the 30 years since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Pieter Nel has worked with people in both physical and mental health services. He has substantial experience in helping and supporting children, young people, parents, adults, couples and families who are experiencing emotional and relationship difficulties in life.

Dr Nel holds a strong belief that people are inherently resilient and resourceful, and that with the right help and support, people can overcome their problems and lead a happy and fulfilling life.

Personal statement

Dr Nel offers a tailored approach to psychological therapy drawing on a number of different therapeutic models depending on the needs of the client. He offers a compassionate, non-judgmental, and confidential space for people to explore their difficulties and develop effective ways of overcoming the current dilemmas and difficulties in their lives.

Additional information about research, publications and interests

A selected number of publications from Dr Pieter Nel:

• Kingston, R.E.F., & Nel, P.W. (2022). Something lost, something gained: Experiences of psychological therapists bereaved of a parent in childhood. OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying.
• Archer, E., Nel, P.W., Turpin, M., & Barry, S. (2019). Parents’ perspectives on the parent–child relationship following their child’s engagement in harmful sexual behavior. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 26(3), 359-371.
• Nel, P.W. (2019). Privilege and struggle: A personal journey towards anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice. Context 164, 10-13.
• Major, L., Viljoen, D., & Nel, P.W. (2018). The experience of feeling fat for women with anorexia nervosa: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling, 21(1), 52-76.
• Rhodes, J., O’Neill, N., & Nel, P.W. (2018). Psychosis and sexual abuse: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 25(4), 540-549.
• Twist, J., Barker, M.J., Nel, P.W., & Horley, N. (2017). Transitioning together: a narrative analysis of the support accessed by partners of trans people. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 32, 227-243.
• Clarke, K., Holt, A., Norris, C., & Nel, P.W. (2017). Adolescent-to-parent violence and abuse: Parents’ management of tensions and ambiguities – an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Child & Family Social Work, 22(4), 1423-1430.
• Kelly, A., Nel, P.W. & Nolte, L. (2016). Negotiating motherhood as a refugee: Experiences of loss, love, survival and pain in the context of forced migration. European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling, 18(3), 252-270.
• Nel, P.W. (2014). The NICE guideline on the treatment of child and adolescent depression: a meta-review of the evidence for individual CBT. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 16, 267-287.
• Noble, T., Nel, P.W., Bruckner, S., Rawle, H., Rishworth, B., Casale, L., Valon, L., Taylor, P., Shah, S., & Abraham-Smith, K. (2013). Re-membering family: Local implementation of a family-focused outcome measure. The Child & Family Clinical Psychology Review, No 1 Spring 2013, 60-69.
• Rassool, S.B. & Nel, P.W. (2012). Experiences of causing an accidental death: An interpretative phenomenological analysis study. Death Studies, 36(9), 832-857.
• Nel, P.W., Pezzolesi, C., & Stott, D. (2012). How did we learn best? A retrospective survey of clinical psychology training in the UK. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68(9), 1058-1073.
• Shah, S., Zarroug, A., & Nel, P.W. (2012). What a difference a difference makes: Issues of diversity in clinical psychology training. Clinical Psychology Forum, 232, 12-13.
• Nel, P.W. & Rassool, S.B. (2011). Experiences of causing an accidental death: A qualitative study. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Supplement 1, 111.
• Nel, P.W. (2006). Trainee perspectives on their family therapy training. Journal of Family Therapy, 28(3), 307-328.
• Nel, P.W. (1996). Creating emancipatory learning contexts for trainee therapists. The Clinical Supervisor, 14(1): 35-50.