Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen, HCPC

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen is a therapist licensed in the United Kingdom and South Africa with 17 years of professional experience. She is registered with the HCPC - the Health and Care Professions Council - and brings a steady, experienced approach to supporting people through a wide range of challenges.

She works with clients of all ages and backgrounds and intentionally recognises and celebrates diversity in its many forms. She has a particular interest in supporting people with more complex presentations, including neurodiversity and co-occurring mental health conditions, and she draws on that experience when helping clients navigate daily challenges and long-standing patterns.

Her clinical work includes assistance with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and work to strengthen identity and self-esteem. She approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to meet specific needs and progressing at a pace that feels comfortable for the individual.

Dr. Van Der Westhuizen takes a collaborative stance, walking alongside clients as they take steps toward the life they want. She frames seeking change as a courageous step and aims to provide steady support throughout the therapeutic journey.

Therapeutic approaches offered remotely for trauma and healing

Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen uses a mix of evidence-informed methods adapted for online work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an empathic, nonjudgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the pace and goals of therapy - this approach helps with self-esteem, life changes, and relationship concerns. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy used to process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact - it is often recommended for survivors of trauma and abuse. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on understanding how traumatic events affect current thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and on building coping strategies to restore daily functioning and well-being.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Van Der Westhuizen works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts the plan as therapy progresses so the work remains relevant and manageable.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for people balancing work, family, or geographic distance. These formats make it easier to attend regular appointments, maintain continuity of care, and access registered professionals from different locations while keeping the focus on meaningful therapeutic progress.