- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and EMDR
- Identity and self esteem
About Amanda
Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and has 17 years of professional experience working in the United Kingdom and South Africa. She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, and identity and self-esteem concerns. She also works with conditions such as ADHD, addictions and bipolar where these are part of a person's picture.
Her approach is practical and person-centred. Sessions focus on the issues you bring and on clear steps you can try between meetings. She uses client-centred conversations alongside trauma-focused methods and EMDR when appropriate for the concern at hand.
Dr. Van Der Westhuizen regularly helps people dealing with complex or overlapping difficulties. That includes neurodiversity and co-occurring mental health conditions, chronic illness, and the effects of past abuse. She also supports people managing grief, compassion fatigue, and career or life transitions.
Language needs are accommodated in English and Afrikaans. She works with people from different backgrounds and is open to international clients. Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
To begin, a short matching questionnaire is completed and then a first session is scheduled. The focus in early meetings is on establishing priorities and agreeing practical next steps that fit day-to-day life.
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr Amanda Van Der Westhuizen uses client-centred therapy to ground work online. This means conversations focus on your concerns and priorities, and the therapist listens and responds to what matters most to you. It is a straightforward way to organise sessions when you are juggling study, work and relationships.She also employs Trauma-Focused Therapy which concentrates on processing the effects of past harm and learning coping strategies for intrusive memories and strong emotional reactions. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another method she uses for some trauma-related issues; it involves structured sets of attention and processing paired with discussion to reduce the intensity of distressing memories.
Finding the best approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk through your needs, goals and preferences and suggest options. That decision is collaborative and can change as therapy progresses.
Please confirm which session formats are offered when you book, as the biography does not list specific formats. Online work can make fitting sessions around study, shifts or commutes easier, and can cut the time needed for travel. Some formats require less bandwidth or let you check in without video, which can help on busy days.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English, Afrikaans
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and identity and self-esteem issues. Additional areas include ADHD, addictions, bipolar and grief.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a client-centred style that focuses on what you bring and practical steps you can try between sessions. Trauma-focused methods and EMDR are used when they suit the issue.
How much experience does she have?
She has 17 years of professional experience working in both the United Kingdom and South Africa.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and practises in the United Kingdom.
Can sessions be held in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Afrikaans.
Does she work with people outside the UK?
International clients are accepted. Confirm session options and timing when you arrange your first meeting.
How are fees handled?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What do I need to do to start?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.