Amanda Rykaart Counselling

Amanda is a Registered Counsellor (Trauma) in private practice, an internationally certified practitioner of Brain Working Recursive Therapy® (BWRT), registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa (BHF); Psychological Society of South Africa (PSYSSA), Association for Registered Counsellors of South Africa (ARCSA) and The British Brainworking Research Society Ltd.

In addition to private practice she has been teaching at tertiary level in crisis and trauma, counselling skills and methodology in loss and grief, critical thinking and community psychology, whilst preparing students for practice in the field.

For the past 20 plus years Amanda has been volunteering and working in various organisations, military, special forces, police, psychiatric hospitals, NPO’s and first responder organisations. Through this she has gained valuable experience in trauma, crises, Critical Incident Stress Management and the training of trauma counsellors, which has enhanced her academic qualifications and led to further qualifications in Victim Empowerment and Brain Working Recursive Therapy.

Scope of Practice includes  Counselling at individual, group, private and corporate level  Assisting in the assessment, containment and management of the current situation  Facilitation of clients in crisis  Crisis/trauma intervention and management  Trauma and life crises - trauma defusing, support, debriefing and counselling  Grief and Loss Counselling  Victim Empowerment  Critical Incident Stress Debriefing  Multiple Stressor Debriefings  Biopsychosocial Assessment  General Psychological Screening  Short term Supportive Counselling  Advising on mental health issues  Promotion of Mental Health  Psycho Education and Training  Assessment and Application of BWRT

Trauma and life crises are gateways to prior experiences which were never pressing enough to deal with, but the precipitating event has now brought it into the spotlight. My clients are extremely vulnerable during sessions as most of their defense mechanisms have been disarmed by the event. It is an incredible privilege to be trusted, allowed to hold space and to facilitate a client through the after-effects of the event; the incorporation and the meaning making thereof into their life. My lived experience of trauma, C-PTSD and toxic abuse adds another dimension to my connection with my clients.

I work from a person-centred basis, make use of positive psychology, CBT and strength-based approach during the session and move on towards existentialism in the final stages of the incorporation of the trauma into the client's life.

I'll provide a safe, empathetic and non-judgmental space for you when you believe that no one else would want to, not even yourself. I'll provide a safe space for you during your anger, your grief, your humiliation and your pain.