Dr. Retief

MBCHB, DMH, FCPsych, MMed(Psych), Cert(Neuropsychiatry), MPhil(Neuropsychiatry)

NEUROPSYCHIATRIST

Dr Mari Retief completed her undergraduate training at Stellenbosch University in 2007. After internship and community service in Johannesburg, she returned to Stellenbosch University where she then specialized in Psychiatry and later in Neuropsychiatry. During this time she won the MS Bell prize for best registrar research project, as well as presenting her MPhil research at an international congress. She has been in private practise since 2018. She also hold a sessional post at the Grootte Schuur Memory clinic, where she is involved in training as UCT honorary senior lecturer and forms part of a multidisciplinary academic team.
Neuropsychiatry is the specialist field straddling psychiatry and neurology, and includes patients with dementia (of any age), memory and cognitive complaints. It also includes the management of behavioral and psychological difficulties due to traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, stroke, HIV, SLE, Multiple Sclerosis and Neurosyphilis.

In contrast to geriatricians, Dr Retief see patients across a wide age range. Her assessments include neurocognitive bedside screening as indicated. She uses psychotropic medication judiciously taking care not to overmedicate this vulnerable population of patients.

When necessary Dr Retief will admit patients to Life St. Vincents Psychiatric Hospital. The unit has developed a service and therapeutic program aimed at elderly patients. Younger patients with neuropsychiatric difficulties can participate in the separate mainstream therapeutic program also offered at St.Vincents.

Dr Retief continues to see and welcomes patients with general psychiatric difficulties such as mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. She aims to provide a safe space where patients can be treated holistically, empathically and without any judgement. Dr Retief lives with her husband and two children at the foot of Table Mountain. She enjoys a good meal, a thoughtful movie and an occasional run if she finds the time!