Susan McGarvie

With more than twenty years’ experience working in the health and NPO sectors, Susan’s research, writing and work have focused on supporting practitioners to better manage stress and create a balanced sense of wellbeing.

Susan’s Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Coaching Practice provides a collaborative therapeutic change process that integrates the principles of mindfulness, positive psychology, and coaching.

Her powerful therapeutic process aims to gently help clients identify and change long-standing habits and patterns that may be getting in the way of their ability to adjust and grow.

Susan is based in Kenton-on-Sea, South Africa, and provides both in-person and online support to clients from all over the world.

Work Experience

• 2016-Current: Private Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Coaching Practice
• 2021-2023: Project Management Support at Nelson Mandela University
• 2020-2023: Academic Coach at Grad Coach International
• 2008-2016: Palliative Care Development Officer at Hospice

First- and Second-Author Publications

• McGarvie, S. (2015). De-stress your dissertation: A mindful approach to mediating the emotional rigours of post-grad research. (Available on Amazon)
• McGarvie, S. (2020). Attentive amelioration: Developing and evaluating an applied mindfulness programme for psychologists (Ph.D. Thesis, Rhodes University)
• McGarvie, S. (2013). Evaluation of the development needs of palliative care programme managers in the context of providing quality palliative care to increasing numbers of patients in Kenya, Malawi and South Africa (Master’s Thesis, University of Cape Town.)

Education & Degrees

• Ph.D. in Psychology, 2020 – Rhodes University South Africa
• MPhil in Palliative Care, 2013 — University of Cape Town (UCT) South Africa
• PG Dip in Palliative Care, 2010 — University of Cape Town (UCT) South Africa
• Honors Degree in Psychology, 2009 — University of South Africa (UNISA) South Africa
• MAP in Business Management, 2004 — Wits Business School South Africa

A Personal Message From Susan

I am dedicated to supporting practitioners in creating balance and wellbeing in their lives. To finding ways to tame the inner critic and nurture and nourish themselves so they can be quality practitioners. I believe that self-care is a radical act of professional responsibility.

– Susan McGravie

You can also visit Susan’s website to find out more about her therapeutic coaching.

Why Should You Trust What Susan Writes?

Susan writes from experience and a commitment to life-long learning.