Elri Hettema – Counselling Psychologist – Bryanston

Elri Hettema - Counselling Psychologist - Bryanston

Elri Hettema serves as a Counselling Psychologist at Meaningful Minds Psychologists in Bryanston, Gauteng. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Stellenbosch, then completed her internship at 2 Military Hospital (Psychiatric Ward) and the Institute for Maritime Medicine in Simonstown. During this period, she treated both inpatients and outpatients with severe psychopathologies and behavioural disorders. Moreover, she led psychological assessments, managed selection processes, and delivered skills-training workshops within a multidisciplinary team.

After qualifying, Elri joined the South African Navy’s SAS Saldanha base as a senior unit psychologist. There, she supported Military Academy cadets, Air Force personnel, and Special Forces members and their families. Consequently, she honed her expertise in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and group facilitation. Furthermore, she spent four years in organizational development, designing and facilitating team-building activities and corporate well-being programmes. In addition, her passion for youth led her to lecture in Organizational Behaviour, Social Anthropology, and Consumer Behaviour at tertiary institutions.

Elri’s approach is eclectic, combining behavioural therapies, Solution-Focused Therapy, and psychodynamic principles. Moreover, she qualified as a Fatigue Specialist through BSS Africa and as a Sleep Specialist via the Edinburgh Institute of Sleep Medicine, focusing on Insomnia and CBT-I. Consequently, she integrates fatigue-management tools and sleep-tracking apps to monitor progress. She creates a safe, collaborative space where clients explore vulnerabilities, build resilience, and learn practical coping skills.

Services

• Adult Counselling
  Assisting clients in overcoming anxiety, depression, and life-transition stress through tailored, goal-oriented sessions.

• Family Therapy
  Facilitating improved communication and conflict resolution to strengthen family dynamics and support systems.

• Couples Counselling
  Guiding partners to rebuild intimacy, resolve relationship challenges, and enhance emotional connection.

• Teen Counselling
  Supporting adolescents with identity formation, peer-related issues, and emotional regulation using interactive exercises.

• Group Therapy
  Leading small groups on stress management, trauma recovery, and behavioural change, fostering peer support.

• Insomnia & Fatigue Management
  Employing CBT-I protocols and biofeedback sensors to address sleep disorders and chronic fatigue effectively.

• Solution-Focused Workshops
  Offering brief, strengths-based sessions that target specific goals and rapid symptom reduction.

Additional Information

Meaningful Minds Psychologists in Bryanston provides a modern, client-centred environment. The centre features soundproof consultation rooms, an immersive therapy lounge, and a secure online portal that hosts digital workbooks, session summaries, and progress trackers. Therapists use digital assessment platforms and fatigue-management apps to gather real-time data and adjust care plans dynamically.

Moreover, Elri collaborates with occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and corporate wellness specialists to deliver integrated care for complex presentations. She also offers forensic consultations and staff training to institutions that require structured support systems. Caregivers attend brief psycho-education seminars on effective parenting, communication strategies, and self-care, reinforcing therapeutic gains at home.

Respecting cultural diversity and individual values, Elri adapts interventions to each client’s background. Additionally, she engages in continuous professional development, ensuring her methods reflect the latest evidence-based research. By blending traditional therapy techniques with cutting-edge technology, she delivers a truly personalised experience that evolves with each client’s journey.

To begin your path toward resilience, insight, and restored well-being, schedule a consultation today.