Tanya Oosthuyzen
Clinical Psychologist
WELCOME
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My name is Tanya Oosthuyzen, I am a Clinical Psychologist in private practice currently offering online psychotherapy and assessment to adults, couples and families, both locally and internationally. I work with all forms of psychological distress and clinical disorders holding a special interest in anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma and complex PTSD, sexual health, life-transitions and bereavement. I also see clients who wish to gain increased self-knowledge and growth through the psychotherapeutic relationship, as well as provide supervision for other professionals.
About Me
I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cape Town, earned in 2014.
My journey into psychology began with undergraduate training in Health Sciences and Social Services at the University of South Africa in 2002. During this time, I also trained and volunteered as a Trauma Counsellor for the South African Police Services, providing vital support to victims of trauma.
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Following my undergraduate studies, I transitioned into the property development sector, gaining valuable experience in administration and human resources. Concurrently, I pursued my Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Psychology. Afterward, I completed an internship at an addictions rehabilitation facility, which led to a full-time position. I eventually advanced to the role of Manager and Senior Addictions Counsellor, where I assisted residents in their recovery journey and reintegration into everyday life.To further enhance my expertise, I completed my Master’s in Clinical Psychology at the University of Cape Town. During this time, I received training in all aspects of psychotherapeutic treatment, including assessment, diagnostics, clinical disorders, as well as various psychotherapeutic modalities and interventions.
I also completed and presented, as part of a community project, my thesis, titled “A look at how South African street-based prostitutes represent the challenges faced within their communities, using Photovoice”.
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I then completed my clinical internship at the Tygerberg Medical and Stikland Psychiatric Hospital complex, gaining experience in Adult Psychotherapeutics and High Care, Medical Psychology, Child and Adolescent Services, Community Psychology, Psychometric and Neuropsychological Assessment, the Eating Disorders Unit, and Addiction Services. Following this, I completed my Public Service year at Pollsmoor Correctional Facility in Cape Town, providing psychological services to detainees in both the longer-term male and mothers-and-babies sections.
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Since then, I have continued to build a diverse professional portfolio. I have provided inpatient services at rehabilitation facilities, lectured at university level, developed workshops and programs, formed part of multidisciplinary teams, and worked in both private and associate practices across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Registrations
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council UK (HCPC), Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA), Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). I am also a certified Brain Working Recursive Therapy practitioner (level II) as well as a certified member of the online therapy directory.
About Therapy
Therapeutic Style
I believe psychotherapy to be a unique and collaborative process based upon the relationship between therapist and client. It allows an opportunity for one to openly explore and experience a range of thoughts and emotions in a safe and containing space, with someone trained to help understand and make sense of them. I believe in our inherent capacity to grow and develop and I thus work from a person centred approach where the client’s needs are addressed with non-judgement, understanding, empathy and confidentiality. Through this, one can begin to change problematic behaviours, thoughts and emotions, gain further potential and productivity, as well as develop improved insight and meaning; thereby enhancing overall quality of life and relationships.
Therapeutic Process
I offer both long and short term psychotherapy to adult individuals, couples and families.
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- Short term therapy is a structured approach lasting between 8 to 12 sessions. The focus is usually problem specific and attention is placed on developing skills to alleviate symptoms and increase current functioning.
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- Longer term therapy provides a supportive and containing space where a deeper understanding of oneself and ones difficulties can be explored, thereby facilitating an internal process of growth and change.
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The first few sessions will usually involve an individual assessment, following which an individualised treatment plan will be discussed and collaboratively agreed upon. The number of sessions needed depends on ones unique needs, with some therapeutic processes only requiring a small number of sessions while others may require more. The estimated length of therapy is, however, discussed during treatment planning and reviewed throughout.
Sessions are usually scheduled once a week and are approximately 50 minutes in length. Changes to frequency and duration may, however, be discussed and altered according to individual need.
Therapeutic Approach
As my understanding of the psychology of human behaviour is predominantly rooted in a psychodynamic perspective, I mostly tend to follow an integrative psychodynamic approach. I am however also trained in other therapeutic modalities such as such as Cognitive Behavioural and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (CBT & DBT), Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT Level II) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I will therefore often draw on the techniques and principals of various approaches, so as to best meet the unique needs and preferences of my individual clients.
Services
PSYCHOTHERAPY:
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Individual Psychotherapy
Family Psychotherapy
Couples Psychotherapy
MODALITIES:
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Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
Dialectical Behavioural Psychotherapy
Trauma- Informed Psychotherapy
Motivational Interviewing
Brain Working Recursive Therapy
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS:
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Cognitive and Scholastic
Emotional
Career
Neuropsychological
Diagnostic Assessment
Treatment Planning
Get in Touch
Currently running as an online practice in the United Kingdom and South Africa
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Call/Whatsapp: +27823956928
Email: tnoosthuyzen@gmail.com
Bergvliet, Cape Town, South Africa
London, United Kingdom