In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka  speaks with Dr. Giada Del Fabbro, a forensic and clinical psychologist whose career explores the intersection between human emotion, mental health, and the law. This conversation forms part of Womanity’s tribute to World Mental Health Day, highlighting the vital message that “there is no health without mental health

Dr. Del Fabbro begins by sharing how her fascination with human behaviour – why people do what they do – led her into the world of psychology. Initially drawn to clinical practice for its focus on healing and resilience, she later expanded into forensic psychology, where the complexities of the human mind meet the formal structures of the courtroom. She describes her work in the legal sphere as being an “interpreter between the human psyche and the legal system,”.

While the demand for forensic psychologists in South Africa is high, there remains a shortage of practitioners, particularly in public service. The work is emotionally demanding and intellectually exacting – often requiring a delicate balance between objectivity, compassion, and ethical integrity.

Dr. Del Fabbro juggles multiple professional roles — from therapy and medico-legal assessments to teaching and supervision. For Dr. Del Fabbro, this variety is not a burden but a design choice. It allows her to keep her work dynamic and intellectually stimulating. She relies on strict boundary setting and compartmentalisation, ensuring that empathy guides her therapy sessions while analytical precision defines her forensic work. Each role requires a different hat, and maintaining those distinctions helps prevent emotional fatigue and professional burnout.

On the broader topic of women’s mental health, Dr. Del Fabbro identifies three recurring challenges she encounters in her practice: the anxiety–perfectionism trap, identity loss, and relational dynamics.

To counter these pressures, she encourages women to shift their mindset from doing to being. This means embracing radical self-compassion, replacing inner criticism with kindness, setting non-negotiable boundaries to protect emotional energy, and reconnecting with the body through mindful movement. “Stress is stored physically,” she reminds us, and small acts like stretching, breath work, or dancing can release emotional tension and restore balance.

In closing, Dr. Del Fabbro offers an empowering message to all women: “Your voice is your power. Prioritise education and emotional health. Find mentors who see your potential, not your limitations. Be brave, be kind to yourself, and never hesitate to step into your full potential.”