Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen, HCPC

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen is an HCPC-registered therapist with 17 years of clinical experience, licensed to practise in both the United Kingdom and South Africa. HCPC stands for Health and Care Professions Council, the UK regulator for certain health professionals. She works with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life stages, aiming to recognise and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Amanda has a strong interest in supporting clients with complex presentations, including neurodiversity and co-occurring mental health conditions. She offers help for trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and for those seeking to strengthen identity and self-esteem. Her practice also addresses issues such as addiction, grief, anger, and challenges related to intimacy and family dynamics.

Her approach is grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person's individual needs and pace. Amanda combines client-centered work with trauma-focused methods and EMDR when appropriate, guiding clients through practical steps toward meaningful change. She accompanies clients as they take the courageous step of seeking a more fulfilling life and provides ongoing support in that journey. Services are available in English and Afrikaans, and she accepts international clients.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Client-Centered Therapy places the person and their goals at the heart of the work, offering empathetic listening and collaborative planning to help with depression, anxiety, identity and relationship concerns. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) targets distressing memories and associated emotions by using structured processing techniques to reduce the intensity of trauma-related symptoms. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on understanding and resolving the impacts of traumatic experiences, helping people rebuild coping, regulation, and trust in relationships.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process; Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen works collaboratively with each client to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan over time as progress unfolds. This partnership helps ensure treatment remains aligned with what matters most to the client.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to attend from different time zones or busy schedules. These options support consistent access to licensed professionals and allow therapy to be integrated into everyday life with greater ease.