Dr Brigitte Viljoen

In my practice, I create the parameters of consistency, reliability, responsiveness, non-possessive warmth and firm boundaries, within a safe, confidential and professional space, for my clients to explore and understand dynamics that may be affecting their well-being.

Areas of Special Interest

• Anxiety and Worry
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Trauma
• Abuse
• Phobias
• Relationship difficulties
• Self-esteem
• Life Challenges and Transitions
• Communication
• Behaviour Problems
• Parenting
• Online/Internet-related issues
• and many other issues

The more we use our imagination to know ourselves and others better, the more adept we are likely to be at negotiating the interpersonal world we inhabit.
– Humphrey, 1984

 

Therapy Services

I am a psychotherapist with experience working with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, family dynamics and trauma. I work with adults (individuals and couples), adolescents and families for long term and short term psychotherapy. I am trained in psychodynamic therapies and provide a safe and professional space for clients to explore and understand dynamics that may be affecting their well-being.

I can help clients gain an increased understanding of themselves, and help clients learn strategies to work through the problems they are experiencing. This can allow for a more purposeful and meaningful life. I work with my clients collaboratively defining goals of therapy.

The goal of psychotherapy is to encourage people to develop a greater understanding of their motivations, family dynamics and enables the discovery of more appropriate and healthy coping strategies.

Therapy Approach

I have a particular interest in attachment theory, which consider that the attachment patterns in childhood have far-reaching effects on relationship skills and their mental representations in adult life. This is explored through the narrative process of therapy. For example, couples are attracted to one another if there is some kind of ‘fit’ between their own inner world and that of the other. Areas of pain and vulnerability will inevitably come into play.

I also have a special interest in the impact of human development and people’s social media use (and other online issues) and how this might impact on their attachments and ways of relating.

Background and Experience

I have worked the clients in both agency and private practice. In my role as a psychotherapist I have experience working with clients suffering from depression, grief, anger, loss, anxiety, worry, post-traumatic stress disorder, and those with a history of trauma and abuse, amongst other things. I am comfortable working with a range of clients’ ethnicities, cultures and ways of life and am able to empathise with my clients and their position. I also have experience working with “every day” issues such as stress, relationship problems, work challenges, communication difficulties and working with parents in relation to challenges they have had with their children.