Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen , HCPC

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen brings 17 years of clinical experience and holds professional registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council). She is licensed in the United Kingdom and South Africa and works with people from across the lifespan and from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Van Der Westhuizen values cultural and personal differences and intentionally creates a therapeutic space that recognizes each person’s unique identity and experience.

She has particular skill supporting people with complex presentations, including neurodiversity and co-occurring mental health conditions, and offers focused help for trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and challenges related to identity and self-esteem. Her practice emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she tailors conversations and treatment plans to match each person’s needs and pace. Dr. Van Der Westhuizen adopts a collaborative stance - she walks alongside clients as they take steps toward the life they want to build. She acknowledges that beginning therapy requires courage and provides steady support throughout the process.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen integrates client-centered therapy to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where the person’s priorities guide the work. This approach helps with general emotional distress, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and life transitions by focusing on empathy and collaboration.

She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address traumatic memories and their ongoing emotional impact. EMDR is a structured method that can reduce the intensity of distressing memories and related symptoms for people who have experienced trauma.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Van Der Westhuizen works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods align best with their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts the plan over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with Dr. Van Der Westhuizen offers practical flexibility - sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options allow people to access consistent care from different locations and to choose the communication style that best fits their life and comfort level, making engagement with therapy more manageable and accessible.