“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”

Marcus Aurelius

Therapy can be daunting. It can feel confrontational at times, even confusing. But immense healing, growth and resilience are possible, for in vulnerability lies strength. We all deserve a professional, confidential and non-judgemental space to safely explore the challenges that the human condition presents us with. I am here to guide you with curiosity, kindness and evidence-based interventions.

I am an HPCSA- and BHF-registered Clinical Psychologist practicing in Johannesburg, Pretoria and online. Currently, I mainly work with individuals, from children from the age of 5 to adults. I have a keen interest in maternal mental well-being, grief and trauma, as well as mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders. I am also a registered BWRT® (Level One) practitioner.

If you are seeking a therapeutic space, I invite you to take the plunge and explore the possibilities within a first consultation. The client-therapist relationship is integral to a purposeful intervention, be it short- or long-term, therefore it is important for the client to transparently engage with the therapist to ascertain a good fit.

About Me

I am a Clinical Psychologist who completed my community service at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Diepkloof, Soweto. At CHBAH I was part of a multidisciplinary team responsible for the inpatient psychiatric care of male adolescents and young males. I was also part of the multidisciplinary team at the Zamani Dual-Diagnosis Outpatient Clinic, treating patients with a mental illness and substance use disorder. My portfolio furthermore included working with the Renal and Audiology Clinics to evaluate patient-readiness for renal transplants and cochlear implants respectively.

For my internship year on the Wits circuit, I completed my adult rotation at Helen Joseph Hospital in the male psychiatric ward and my child rotation at Tara – The H. Moross Hospital. Duties at both sites included individual psychotherapy, group interventions, psychological assessments (emotional, intellectual and bariatric) and consultations as well as case management and family therapy.

My qualifications include:

Master of Arts

Clinical Psychology
(University of the Witwatersrand)
(cum laude)

Master of Science

Business Studies
(University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
(cum laude)

Bachelor of Arts

Theatre
(Toneelacademie Maastricht, the Netherlands)

Bachelor of Commerce

Entrepreneurship
(University of Pretoria)
(cum laude)

Recently, I completed the BrainWorking® Recursive Therapy (BWRT®) Level One training, an acute intervention aimed at addressing debilitating thoughts and related behaviours arising from amongst others trauma, grief, and phobias. I am furthermore affiliated with the South African Psychoanalytic Clinic Johannesburg.

Besides hailing from a multicultural background and having lived in various countries, I have also worked in the performing arts, print and broadcast media. My skill set and well-travelled lived experience have culminated in a unique blend of mental health expertise attuned to cultural and spiritual sensitivities, communication skills and creative storytelling, within a psychodynamic framework. I am fluent in English, Afrikaans, Dutch and German and care deeply about mental health in the South African context.







Therapy

As mentioned, therapy can feel daunting. At times the therapy process may feel confrontational, even confusing. These are all appropriate emotional states one can expect to experience when embarking on a therapeutic process, for it is through vulnerability that one rediscovers one’s strength. Immense healing, growth and subsequent resilience are part of the overall therapeutic goals, but each client is different and therefore individual goals will differ.

Within a professional, confidential and non-judgemental space, I am here to guide you in exploring and addressing your unique challenges that arise from the human condition. Curiosity, kindness and evidence-based interventions lie at the heart of my psychodynamically framed approach. A psychodynamic approach refers to unearthing unconscious thought and behavioural patterns that shape our way of being in the world and how we relate to ourselves and others. At times other modalities might be indicated, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), as well as BWRT®. If I am unable to assist you, a suitable referral will be made.

Currently I offer individual psychotherapy, aimed at assisting clients struggling with amongst others:

  • Mood and anxiety disorders (including depression, anxiety, phobias and panic attacks)
  • Trauma (single event or complex-PTSD)
  • Grief and Loss
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Adjustment difficulties
  • Perinatal mental challenges
  • Sexual health




Rates

Medical aid clients are charged at their medical aid rate per session (51-60 minutes) as established on an annual basis.

Please contact the practice reception@louisevanwingerden.com for the private rate.


Alternatively clients are welcome to pay cash upfront (EFT or credit card) and thereafter claim from their medical aid.





Contact

Please feel free to reach out if you have any queries.