Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen , HCPC

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen is a UK- and South Africa-licensed therapist with 17 years of professional experience and HCPC registration (Health and Care Professions Council). She works from a strengths-based perspective and welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, offering support across the lifespan and for many stages of life.

She has particular experience supporting clients with complex presentations, including neurodiversity and co-occurring mental health conditions. Her practice includes work with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and challenges related to identity and self-esteem. She also addresses a wide range of concerns such as grief, addictions, family issues, and the effects of chronic illness.

Dr. Van Der Westhuizen approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to individual needs and pacing. She prioritizes collaborative care, meeting clients where they are and adjusting interventions to suit personal goals. She frames therapy as a partnership - walking alongside clients as they take steps toward a more fulfilling life - and offers steady support throughout that process.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Trauma and Relationship Work

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen integrates Client-Centered Therapy to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients lead the pace and focus of sessions. This approach emphasizes understanding the client's perspective and can be especially helpful for issues around identity, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and general life transitions.

She also offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a structured method that helps people process distressing memories and reduce the emotional intensity linked to traumatic events. EMDR is often used for trauma-related symptoms and can support recovery from abuse, accidents, or other painful experiences.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. That partnership guides decisions about pacing, techniques, and the blend of therapies used.

Online sessions - including video calls, phone appointments, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to fit therapy into daily life. These formats allow licensed professionals and therapists to maintain continuity of care and adapt to practical constraints, helping clients access consistent support from wherever they are.