Meet Dr Isabelle
Dr. Isabelle Swanepoel
With over 20 years of experience in mental health, I bring a wealth of knowledge and care to my practice. I have had the privilege of working in both independent private practice and as a senior clinical psychologist at a psychiatric state hospital. Alongside my clinical work, I continue to contribute to the academic field as a university senior lecturer and researcher, with a focus on therapeutic matters, including those related to Covid-19. I am also a qualified journey therapist, a trauma incident reduction practitioner, and a transactional analysis practitioner. Together with a PhD in autoimmune disease, this enables me to approach healing from a well-rounded and compassionate perspective. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for you on your journey to well-being.
My therapeutic approach
I combine trusted therapies to create a supportive and caring approach tailored just for you. These include:
Behavioural therapy
Focusing on changing unhealthy behaviours.
Client-centered therapy
Emphasising empathy and support in the therapeutic relationship.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Addressing negative thought patterns to improve mental health.
Eco-systemic therapy
Considering the individual within their broader environment.
Health psychology
Understanding the psychological impact on physical health.
Mindfulness
Encouraging present-moment awareness to reduce stress.
Transactional analysis
Understanding social interactions and communication patterns.
Object relations
Exploring how past relationships impact current ones.
Psychoanalytic therapy
Delving into the unconscious mind to resolve deep-seated issues.
Psychodynamic therapy
Examining how early life experiences shape current behaviour.
Trauma-focused therapy
- This integrated approach allows me to tailor therapy to each individual's unique needs, ensuring effective and compassionate care.
Fields of interest and experience
Mental Health
- Addictions
- Anxiety
- Bi-polar Disorders
- Depression
- OCD
- Panic Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- PTSD
- Phobias and Fears
Relationships
- Adolescent Development
- Marital Issues
- Parental Guidance
- Divorce
- Domestic Violence
- Gender Identity
Physical Health
- Autoimmune Illness
- Chronic Illness
- Pain Management
- Health and Wellness
Other
- Covid-19 Related
- Ethics
- Euthanasia
- Online Therapy
- Porn addiction
- Suicide
Qualifications
- BA Psychology, Cum Laude, University of Pretoria
- Honours (Psychology and Criminology), Cum Laude, University of Pretoria
- MSC (Medical Applied Psychology), University of Pretoria
- MA Clinical Psychology, University of Pretoria
- PhD in Mental Health, University of Pretoria
Membership
- Health Professional Counsel of South Africa (HPCSA), PS 0075345
- Board of Health Funders (BHF), Pr 086 00000 94048
- South African Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (SA-ACAPAP)
- South African Clinical Neuropsychological Association (SANCA), Member nr 1481
- TIRA (The Traumatic Incident Reduction Association), national and international member
- PsySSA Psychological society of South Africa
SADAG – South African Depression and Anxiety Group