THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
Marguerite Black
Marguerite Black is the Executive Director of The Dandelion Initiative. Marguerite has a Masters' degree in Creative Writing at UCT, as well as an Honours' degree in Psychology.
She is trained in the Beginners' and Advanced courses of Play and Gestalt therapy and has four years experience as a volunteer at the Red Cross Children's Hospital. She is a public and motivational speaker; and has also written an autobiography, children's books and poetry.
Marguerite Black is the Executive Director of The Dandelion Initiative. Marguerite has a Masters' degree in Creative Writing at UCT, as well as an Honours' degree in Psychology.
She is trained in the Beginners' and Advanced courses of Play and Gestalt therapy and has four years experience as a volunteer at the Red Cross Children's Hospital. She is a public and motivational speaker; and has also written an autobiography, children's books and poetry.
"As a child and teenager I remember how frightening, overwhelming and confusing it was to live with illness. I have developed deep empathy for these children and teens. It is my passion, dream and vision to alleviate and ease their suffering..."
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| A puppet role play session with superstar Mia |
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| Music making with Margi & Sam |
Greer Bell
Greer Bell is passionate about children and is in her final year of a degree in Psychology with a view to doing her Masters in Play Therapy. She has completed courses in this area, as well as in emotional intelligence training and lay counselling. She is a qualified Montessori teacher and co-ordinates events which focus on harnessing the power of the arts to raise awareness and funds for counter-human trafficking efforts in South Africa. She is also a gifted singer/songwriter (www.greerbellmusic.co.za) and enjoys helping children express themselves through the creative arts.
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Pictured here with the lovely Chante during one of her creative arts therapy sessions
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Gerda Kriel
Gerda Kriel was trained at the North-West University and Tygerberg hospital as a Clinical Psychologist. During her training she developed a specific love for working with children and adolescents, and with the family systems that surround them. 
She will be offering individual therapy as well as group therapy, as the need arises. Gerda is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health professions council of South Africa."
TAMRYN PELSER
Tamryn is a certified Body Intelligence Instructor, who currently focuses on one-on-one tuition.
If you'd like to book a Body Intelligence introductory session, a pregnancy intro or regular one-on-one sessions with Pilates equipment, Tammy will be able to come to your place or see you at one of the studio spaces she rents in town.
Passionate about teaching, she ensures personal attention for each individual, whether in family sessions, corporate workshops or classes specifically dsigned for teenagers.
After completing her studies and qualifications in various fors of conventional Pilates training, Tamryn's focus shifted to assisting people with basic functional movement and postural awareness. Through Body Intelligence, the emphasis of her one-on-one sessions is on the recognition and improvement of neuromuscular patterning.
Tamryn is trained in classical and contemporary dance, speech and drama, having worked as a professional dancer and musical theatre actor for 10 years. Born in Johannesburg, Tamryn matriculated from the National School of the Arts, specialising in drama, and studied dance at Tshwane University of Technology and The Laban Centre London.
Having completed courses in anatomy, physiology and various movement form techniques, Tamryn is currently finishing a BA in Psychology through UNISA.
Other than teaching group classes at zenzero, Tamryn also offers private tutoring in Body Intelligence and one-on-one Reformer classes.
As Tamryn puts it: “I enjoy teaching people of all ages how to move comfortably within their own range and ability."
She will be offering individual therapy as well as group therapy, as the need arises. Gerda is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health professions council of South Africa."
Tamryn is a certified Body Intelligence Instructor, who currently focuses on one-on-one tuition.If you'd like to book a Body Intelligence introductory session, a pregnancy intro or regular one-on-one sessions with Pilates equipment, Tammy will be able to come to your place or see you at one of the studio spaces she rents in town.
Passionate about teaching, she ensures personal attention for each individual, whether in family sessions, corporate workshops or classes specifically dsigned for teenagers.
After completing her studies and qualifications in various fors of conventional Pilates training, Tamryn's focus shifted to assisting people with basic functional movement and postural awareness. Through Body Intelligence, the emphasis of her one-on-one sessions is on the recognition and improvement of neuromuscular patterning.
Tamryn is trained in classical and contemporary dance, speech and drama, having worked as a professional dancer and musical theatre actor for 10 years. Born in Johannesburg, Tamryn matriculated from the National School of the Arts, specialising in drama, and studied dance at Tshwane University of Technology and The Laban Centre London.
Having completed courses in anatomy, physiology and various movement form techniques, Tamryn is currently finishing a BA in Psychology through UNISA.
Other than teaching group classes at zenzero, Tamryn also offers private tutoring in Body Intelligence and one-on-one Reformer classes.
As Tamryn puts it: “I enjoy teaching people of all ages how to move comfortably within their own range and ability."
Grant Pearson
Dr. Pearson is the medical and creative director. He is a trained medical doctor, coach and facilitator. He has worked for many years in Family Medicine, and has a keen interest and experience in Psychological and Mind-Body approaches to health and wellbeing, as well as Integrated Healthcare, patient-led initiatives and Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and their relevant and appropriate integration into patient care.
Christopher Browne
My name is Christopher Browne. I am a retired pensioner living in Henley on Klip, a small town about 60 kms from Johannesburg. I am a widower, with a son and daughter, both living in London. During my career I worked in South Africa as a civil engineer in design and construction for various companies, consulting engineers, a municipality and government departments. From 1966 to 1969 I worked in Canada for consultants as a supervisor during construction of the suspension bridge over the St Lawrence river in the city of Quebec. My interests include nature and the environment, trees and plants, organic farming, natural health and healing, energy-efficient housing, music, animal rights, recreational walking and cycling.
A few years ago, while browsing in a bookshop at the airport, I came across Marguerite Black’s beautifully written and moving book - The Dandelion Diary . In this book – interspersed with poems by the author – she recounts how she had to come to terms at the age of 12 with the onset of Friedreich’s ataxia. I sent her an email to say how much I appreciated her book and have been in contact with her and her family since then. Her brother Malcolm also has the same condition, and like Marguerite manages to pursue a very useful life in spite of it.
Marguerite is an inspiration in the courageous way she has managed to achieve her academic goals, and reach out to others despite the great difficulties imposed by her condition. With personal experience of having to face these obstacles she is uniquely qualified to help those in need, such as abused children, on the road to recovery and has been making a wonderful contribution in this field for some years. I am honoured to assist her with the sourcing of funding for this very worthy cause.
