A Four-Decade Journey in Mental Health: An Interview with Clinical Psychologist,Tony de Gouveia

As the SAPCC celebrated its 10th Anniversary Gala, Tony de Gouveia, one of the founding executive directors and a Clinical Psychologist, marked a significant milestone—40 years of private practice in South Africa.

In this interview, Tony reflects on his career, sharing key moments from his journey and insights into his work in psychology, mental health, and his contributions to the Portuguese community.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION “WHAT DO YOU DO” IN ONE SENTENCE?

As a Clinical Psychologist, I enable people (individuals, couples and groups) who suffer from burnout and stress related disorders to regenerate, reboot and become resilient again through the use of relevant evidence based psychotherapeutic skills and techniques.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?

I grew up and was schooled in then Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). My Portuguese parents were both from Madeira island and my first degree was typically a “behind the shop counter (BSC)” where I ironically learnt to confront my shyness and develop my communication skills- the thing I enjoyed the most was talking to our customers and reading all the books and magazine that my father sold in the shop. However, one thing I knew was that I didn’t want to take over my dad’s business, because of the hard immigrant lifestyle, eg a six and

a half day working week with no holidays except for Christmas and Easter. I also was exposed to the classic immigrant challenge of maintaining the Portuguese language in an English/Afrikaans language environment.

SO HOW DID YOU END UP BECOMING A PSYCHOLOGIST?

When I matriculated I knew I had to go to University to study Psychology with a view to teaching but I gave this idea up and focussed on Psychology. I obtained my Honours degree in Psychology at UPE (now NMMU) and after the compulsory two year service at the Military Psychological Institute (MPI) in Pretoria, I returned to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to complete my Masters Degree. I was then offered a teaching position at Vista University (now UJ Soweto Campus) in Johannesburg which I took in order to be near to my then girlfriend/ now wife, Isabel, of thirty-eight years. Once I had settled in my lecturer role I was allowed to

set up a part- time private practice. Again, in an ironic turn I eventually set up my practice in La Rochelle (then “little Portugal” in the South of Johannesburg), where I soon met many first-generation Portuguese clients who only spoke Portuguese. I was required to reconnect with the Portuguese language, fortunately with the help of Isabel, who was then teaching Portuguese at Wits University.

WHAT WERE THE HIGH POINTS OF YOUR EARLY CAREER?

In my academic career the highlight, besides teaching Psychology to mainly African undergraduate and postgraduate (Honours) students at Vista Soweto for 17 years, was attending and making presentations at overseas and domestic psychology conferences. A

particular highlight was attending a Stress Congress at the Universidade do Minho (Braga) in Portugal and being able to communicate with the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and naturally UK and US delegates thanks to my proficiency in English, Afrikaans and Portuguese- it pays to be a Luso-South African sometimes! Besides compiling various study materials for students at Vista, I was co-author of a text book on “Psychological Counselling within the South African context” (Editor Johann Uys, 1992). In 1991, I was given a merit award for my contribution to Clinical Psychology by the SA Institute for Clinical Psychology which

remains special to me.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AFRICA?

At the start of my career I joined the Board of the Portuguese Welfare Society which was instrumental in starting the first “lar” (old age home) in Kensington, Johannesburg. At the same time, I became involved in AJEPP (Associação de Jovem Empresarios e Profissionais) and was elected chairman in 1991. During this period I was involved and shared in the shaping of the Portuguese community involvement in the democratic movement culminating in my participation in the LUSAP (Luso-South African Party) campaign in the first democratic elections in SA in 1994. After the elections I consolidated my professional career and got re-involved when I was invited by the late Raul Martins and my colleague Manny Moutinho to form part of the SAPCC board in 2013. My involvement in the SAPCC currently includes monthly newsletter articles (now close to 50), the networking eventsn as well as the

YAPS group with specific reference to the JNC (Juiz na Cabeça) initiative as well as strategic planning and marketing initiatives.

IS THERE STILL A STIGMA TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH SUFFERERS IN THE PORTUGUESE

COMMUNITY?

It was my personal experience working within the Portuguese community where I encountered the view that mental illness was only for “malucos” (mad people).

This view associates mental illness(es) with its more extreme manifestations such as schizophrenia which account for approximately less than 5% of the total number of persons with mental health problems. It is this outdated view/stereotype held across many cultural and linguistic groupings (not just the Portuguese community), in my opinion, that drives much of the stigma and prejudice towards those suffering from mental health conditions and which I have tried to dispel via numerous presentations / communications both within and outside the Portuguese community over the years.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

My promotor at University, the late Prof Joshua Fullard, said that as a psychologist one could get incredibly close to people because most clients share so much of themselves on the road to healing. He was right. But the greatest thrill and reward for me is still when my client(s) not only “get it” about the cause of their problems but translate that insight into significant change in their lives and become “unstuck”, moving closer toward versions of their “ideal selves”.

WHAT CAN WE ALL DO TO PROMOTE OUR MENTAL HEALTH NOWADAYS?

Given the high levels of stress and burnout across the board in many areas of the corporate world, it is time that we all (Medical health and other professionals

included) need to get out of our denial concerning the reality of stress and burnout and actively own up and be accountable for our self-care and take practical steps to ensure that we conserve our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy. This could include talking to a mental health professional or coach. One of my more important projects at the two Clinics I work at (Akeso Alberton and Life Brackenview) has been the formation of my own psycho-educational support group (the PPG – Positive Psychology group) which I have facilitated over the past eleven years, comprising both live and virtual presentations and

WhatsApp support for participants.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CAREERS?

We Portuguese are known for our work-ethic but over and above that you need to develop marketable skills relevant for our new digital economy. My son Pedro (30 years old) is a case in point, having obtained a BSc Hons in Geography but now exercising the role of a drone pilot, which grew from a passion in radio- controlled cars and planes. Above all else you need to learn to network, not just virtually but in real time with real people- social skills remain important!

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?

Surround yourself with good people that you can learn from - this has certainly been my experience working with my colleagues on the SAPCC board- an exceptional group and team of people that I have been privileged to work with in order to unite and mobilise

our Portuguese business community in South Africa.