Dr Christina van der Merwe Clinical Psychologist George

Dr Christina van der Merwe – Clinical Psychologist, George

About Dr Christina van der Merwe

Dr Christina van der Merwe is an experienced Clinical Psychologist. She specialises in helping young people and their families overcome a range of mental health challenges. Dr van der Merwe has a particular interest in treating individuals with disordered eating.

She completed her psychology degree at UFS and earned both Honours and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology from Stellenbosch University. After her studies, she spent a year travelling across Europe before starting her career at a substance abuse treatment centre. She later worked in a corporate environment, before moving to Canada, where she spent several years in an Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment Unit. Upon returning to South Africa, she completed her PhD in Child Psychology and joined the Child Psychiatry Unit at Tygerberg Hospital.

Dr van der Merwe’s work includes both private and state healthcare settings. She has assessed, diagnosed, and treated various psychiatric conditions. She also worked for over a decade as a senior lecturer and supervisor at Stellenbosch University.

Dr van der Merwe focuses on a holistic, compassionate approach to care. She aims to restore functionality in children and adolescents quickly, allowing them to engage with their developmental tasks.

Services Offered

Specialised Psychological Treatment for Young People

Dr van der Merwe helps pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults manage mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. She strives to help individuals overcome difficulties and return to normal functioning, enabling them to focus on their development.

Eating Disorder Treatment

Dr van der Merwe has extensive experience in treating eating disorders. She completed internationally accredited Family Based Treatment (FBT) for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders, facilitated by Stanford University. She also worked in a specialist eating disorder unit at Tygerberg Hospital for over a decade. Her approach uses evidence-based strategies to support recovery, helping individuals form a healthier relationship with food and body image.

Depression and Anxiety Treatment

Dr van der Merwe treats depression in children and adolescents, addressing symptoms such as mood swings, social withdrawal, and irritability. She also works with young people facing anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks, excessive worry, and school refusal. She helps her clients develop effective coping strategies.

Trauma and Behavioural Challenges

Dr van der Merwe works with children and adolescents struggling with trauma, including bullying, abuse, and family changes. She also addresses behavioural problems, including oppositional behaviour, anger, and attention issues. Her focus is on emotional regulation and behaviour improvement.

Family and Parental Support

Dr van der Merwe regularly meets with parents (with the patient’s consent) to ensure they receive feedback on their child’s progress. She provides parents with the support and guidance needed to help their children through their mental health journey.

Tailored Psychological Assessments

Dr van der Merwe begins treatment with a comprehensive intake assessment. This helps form a personalised treatment plan with specific therapy sessions. The number of sessions can be adjusted as needed. She uses evidence-based techniques to create a treatment plan tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Additional Information

Dr Christina van der Merwe operates a cash practice but provides invoices with all relevant details for medical aid claims. Her broad experience in clinical psychology and teaching allows her to offer compassionate, well-rounded care for young people and their families. Dr van der Merwe is committed to fostering a supportive environment where her clients can achieve positive, lasting change.