Star Student – Nadia Liebenberg

We love it when SACAP students excel. Nadia Liebenberg, 33, achieved more than mere success. Last year, she received the prestigious Dean’s Award for exceptional academic performance in SACAP’s Bachelor of Social Science Honours [BPsych Equivalent Programme].

Eager to uncover the ingredients in her recipe for success and the opportunities that await this promising young graduate, we spoke with Nadia and asked her.

A winning formula

Attaining Dean Award status is no mean feat. To receive this honour, a student must achieve the highest overall grade among the top 10% of graduating students. This means getting an average of at least 75% in every module.

“Initially, my main focus wasn’t on attaining the Dean’s Award,” Nadia admits. “I simply dedicated myself wholeheartedly from the beginning of the course, knowing I had one opportunity to secure the best possible grades for future Master’s prospects.”

“My perspective on success is to embrace every experience without regret,” she says. “I wanted to look back and feel proud, knowing I had given my all to learn, grow and challenge myself along the way.”

Nadia highlights other key ingredients that have contributed to her success, like taking care of herself daily, staying disciplined and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. “I intentionally pushed myself to work hard, but also to breathe, relax and engage in activities that keep me motivated and energised,” she says.

Why psychology?

Let’s rewind to the start of Nadia’s academic journey. What sparked her interest in psychology? “It has always been on my mind, but I didn’t truly engage with psychology until I was 29,” she explains. “At that time, I worked as an administrative assistant at a marriage counselling practice and recognized the pressing need for people to access counselling.”

Nadia has a genuine passion for connecting with people. “I explored different areas of psychology,” she says. “Pursuing a career as a counsellor or psychologist felt like the perfect fit for me.”

Why SACAP?

Before SACAP, Nadia earned two degrees. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Theology from the South African Theological Seminary (SATS) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Cornerstone Institute. Nadia says she wanted to pursue her studies, so she enrolled at SACAP.

“I was attracted to SACAP’s prestigious international accreditation and professionally trained staff,” she notes. “I chose the BPsych Equivalent Programme because it’s the only honours qualification that allows me to register as a professional counsellor with the HPCSA.”

Programme perks

We delved deeper and asked Nadia to rate the programme’s various components. “I found the course modules very relevant and practical in preparing me for my role as a Registered Counsellor in South Africa,” she says.

“The course material sparked debates and discussions in class. This helped my classmates and I identify the challenges and opportunities counsellors face in South Africa,” she adds.

Nadia says she thoroughly enjoyed the Work Integrated Learning aspect of the programme. “I had the opportunity to work with multicultural clients from diverse backgrounds in South Africa, which significantly enhanced my personal and professional growth.”

“Engaging with these clients was incredibly interesting, as I encountered situations I had never experienced before,” she adds. “It transformed my preconceived notions about the counselling field and encouraged me to adopt creative approaches while remaining sensitive to different client needs.”

Group dynamics

Nadia rates her lecturers highly for their practical expertise in psychology. “Most of them are excellent practitioners in their specific fields,” she says. “Not only did they transform the course material into engaging discussions that enhanced our knowledge. Their support also motivated us to excel and has positively impacted my life.”

We asked Nadia to evaluate her fellow students, too. “I was fortunate to be part of an amazing group!” she exclaims. “We called ourselves the ‘extreme cohort’ because of our diverse backgrounds and life experiences.”

“We maximised every opportunity the course offered,” she continues, “celebrating our diversity while functioning as a cohesive unit – sharing resources and motivating one another. I feel lucky to call my cohort my friends and colleagues. To this day, we share a special bond.”

Passion pursuit

“I cannot imagine a world without people in it,” Nadia asserts. “As a child, I always knew that I wanted to do a job that involved lots of human interaction.”

Fortunately, Nadia believes she has found her calling. “Nothing excites me more than seeing individuals overcome challenges and discover the tools to live their best lives. When I can play a role in aiding others to uncover these life tools, I feel that I am truly living my passion.”

Potential prospects

Nadia’s plans for the future? “I’d like to further my studies in Psychometry, with the goal of obtaining dual registration with the HPCSA as both a Registered Counsellor and a Psychometrist,” she says.

“Whether I work in private practice or I’m employed as a counsellor in a business or school context, I believe my BPsych Equivalent qualification will enable me to impact South African communities positively.”

How about you? Would you like to make a positive impact, too? SACAP offers a range of respected and practical psychology qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Make a difference; get in touch.