Dr. Cheryl Marion Blankenberg
With over four decades of experience in government, academia, NGOs, and court settings, I now offer full-time private practice services to individuals, families, and legal professionals.
Education
Qualifications
“My academic and professional journey has been rooted in justice and child protection. With a Doctorate in Social Work and advanced studies in criminology and the legal system, I work from a rights-based approach where children and families are always at the centre. My services include criminological assessments and report writing with a strong ethical and legal foundation.”
Dr. Cheryl Marion Blankenberg
PhD Social Work | Criminology | Child Protection Specialist
Doctorate in Social Work – University of the Western Cape
Research: Guidelines for a coordinated response to bullying of and among children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.
Master’s Degree in Social Work – University of the Western Cape
Honours in Social Work (Psychology, Sociology) – University of the Western Cape
BA in Criminology
Focus: Human Rights, Family Law, Criminal Law, Child Justice.
Service Offering
Services
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Care and Contact Services
Support for families navigating care and contact disputes during separation or divorce. This includes supervised visitation services.
Individual and Family Therapy
Therapeutic support for:
– Children experiencing bullying (victims or perpetrators)
– Families coping with trauma, domestic violence, or divorce
– Individuals needing trauma-informed counselling
Groupwork
This form of intervention includes family members and individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives.
Bullying Intervention
– Individual and family therapy
– Tailored intervention plans
– School workshops
– Programme development and training for educators and caregivers
Workshops
Customised sessions for schools, parents, NGOs, and professionals on:
– Managing contact disputes in complex family systems
– Bullying awareness and response strategies
– Child protection laws and responsibilities
Criminology Services
– Criminological assessments
– Victim impact statements
– Court reports and forensic insights
Experience and Background
- National strategy development for prevention and management of child abuse
- Department of Social Development – Provincial Child Protection Co-ordinator
- Department of Health & Wellness – Intellectual Disability Services
- UNICEF – Child Protection Sector
- Save the Children UK – Programmes for Undocumented Children
- Special Sexual Offences Court – Cape Town
- Family Advocate’s Office – Cape Town
- University of the Western Cape – Lecturer in Social Work
PhD Social Work | Criminology | Child Protection Specialist
Dr. Cheryl Marion Blankenberg
Helping families, protecting rights, and guiding with compassion.