Counsellor profile
Dr. Amanda Van Der Westhuizen, HCPC
Counsellor - Trauma and relationship support
See online counselling options- Client-Centred Therapy
- EMDR where needed
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
About Amanda
Dr Amanda Van Der Westhuizen is a counsellor registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, HCPC, and has 17 years of professional experience in the United Kingdom. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, and issues around self-esteem and identity. She also supports those living with addiction and people exploring LGBT concerns.
Her approach is practical and conversational. She prefers client-centred work that focuses on each person's concerns and goals. She also uses trauma-focused methods and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, when trauma and distress are present.
Amanda has experience with more complex presentations, including co-morbidity and neurodiversity. She notes work with ADHD, bipolar disorder, chronic pain and long-term illness, and the effects of family of origin issues. She also addresses abandonment, attachment and avoidant personality patterns.
Sessions aim to be paced to the individual. She adapts the dialogue and the plan according to what a person says they need and how they cope with change. That can mean shorter check-ins, more practical coping steps, or a focus on processing difficult memories.
She works in English and Afrikaans and accepts international clients. Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
How Amanda uses trauma work and client-centred methods online
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening, reflection and working at the client’s pace. It is about identifying what matters to the person and shaping sessions around their goals and stresses.Trauma-Focused Therapy directs attention to the effects of traumatic events and practical ways to reduce their impact on daily life. It often involves gradual processing and coping steps to manage strong reactions.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, is a structured method used to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity. It is typically introduced when trauma symptoms are a clear focus of work.
Choosing an approach is collaborative. The therapist will discuss options with the client and agree what to try first, adjusting methods if something does not fit. The emphasis is on working together to find the right balance of support, processing and practical skills.
Practical benefits of working with a therapist remotely include fitting sessions into a busy week and avoiding travel time. Online work can make it easier to have shorter check-ins or regular appointments around work or caregiving. Confirm the specific session formats available with the therapist before you book so you know how sessions will be arranged.
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 issues does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationships, self-esteem and identity concerns, plus addiction and LGBT issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centred, focusing on what matters to the individual and adapting the pace and dialogue to their needs.
How long has she been practising?
She has 17 years of professional experience working with a range of mental health and life difficulties.
What registration does she hold and where does she practise?
She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, HCPC, and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Afrikaans.
Does she work with clients outside the UK?
She accepts international clients as stated in her profile.
How are sessions arranged and what formats are used?
Current session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm available formats before booking.
What does it cost and how do subscriptions work?
Fees vary with location. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.