Miss Elizma Viljoen

Specialist Wellness Counselor

verified by TherapyRoute

“I offer holistic, client‑centred counselling for individuals seeking support with personal hardships. My work is grounded in compassion, respect, and a deep belief in each person’s capacity for healing and growth. With a Master of Arts in Social Work (Wellness Healthcare & Counselling) and registrations with ASCHP, BAPSA, and AMI‑TIRA, my practice is, supported by extensive training in psychological counselling, wellness practices, addiction and trauma counselling, and victim empowerment. My approach draws on evidence‑based methodologies while honouring each person’s lived experience, cultural background, and unique pace. My professional journey includes work in private practice, employee assistance programmes, and community‑based support services, giving me a broad understanding of the diverse challenges people face. Alongside this, I have offered independent, integrative counselling services for individuals and groups, supporting concerns ranging from loss and grief to trauma, self-esteem, and confidence building. I am skilled in trauma counselling, wellness counselling, and self‑care training, with strengths in active listening, empathy, and cross‑cultural communication (Afrikaans/English). ”

About Me

Feeling overwhelmed or weighed down by emotional struggles can make life feel isolating, but you don't have to navigate any of it alone. I offer a calm, supportive space where your experience is validated and your resilience is rediscovered. As a counsellor with over 10 years of experience supporting people from all walks of life, I provide a holistic and person-centred approach to healing and overall well-being. Our work begins with creating a space to understand what you are carrying and how it is affecting your life. From there, we draw on counselling strategies and practical tools that support your unique needs and goals. My intention is to walk alongside you as you move towards greater clarity, well-being, and personal growth. You can expect a space where you feel truly heard, supported and understood.

Approach

My approach to counselling is holistic, gentle, and deeply person‑centred. I believe that each person’s story, strengths, and lived experiences matter, and that meaningful change happens when we create a space where you feel safe, respected, and understood. My work is grounded in compassion and guided by evidence‑informed practices that support healing at a pace that feels right for you. I draw on a wide range of counselling strategies, integrating elements of psychotherapy, wellness training, social support, and body‑based approaches to foster total wellbeing. This allows me to tailor our work to your unique needs—whether you are navigating trauma, loss, emotional overwhelm, addiction‑related challenges, or a desire to strengthen your sense of self and resilience. At the heart of my approach is a belief in your ability to heal and transform. My goal is to create a counselling space where trust can grow, resilience can strengthen, and you can move toward a more grounded, empowered sense of wellbeing.

Contact Elizma

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Cape Town, South Africa

Services

My services include: Trauma Counselling Support for individuals processing acute or long‑term trauma, including emotional, relational, developmental, and incident‑related trauma. My approach integrates gentle, structured methods that prioritise safety, grounding, and resilience. Wellness Counselling Guidance for those seeking greater balance, clarity, and wellbeing. This includes stress management, lifestyle support, emotional regulation, and strengthening overall mental and emotional wellness. Addiction and Recovery Support Counselling for individuals navigating substance‑related challenges or behavioural addictions. My work focuses on insight, coping strategies, relapse prevention, and rebuilding a sense of agency and purpose. Loss, Grief, and Life Transitions Compassionate support for those experiencing bereavement, relationship changes, identity shifts, or major life transitions. I help clients process their experience while finding stability and meaning. Self‑Esteem and Confidence Building Counselling aimed at strengthening self‑worth, personal identity, and emotional resilience. This includes support for individuals struggling with self‑criticism, insecurity, or patterns that undermine confidence. Emotional and Psychological Support Assistance with emotional overwhelm, mood‑related concerns, and challenges affecting daily functioning. My approach helps clients understand their emotional landscape and develop practical tools for coping. Victim Support and Empowerment Specialised support for individuals affected by crime, violence, or traumatic events. This includes crisis debriefing, emotional stabilisation, and empowerment‑focused counselling. Additional services that I provide are: Self‑care and resilience training Psychoeducation and wellness skills development Short‑term and long‑term individual counselling Independent counselling services for groups and community settings

Services Offered:

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Addiction Counselling
Counselling specifically focused on substance use or behavioural addictions, addressing the psychological drivers and patterns of dependence.
Learn more about Addiction Counselling
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CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Learn more about CBT
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Counselling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counselling
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Group Therapy
Therapy conducted with a small group of people who share similar concerns, using peer interaction and diverse perspectives as part of the healing process.
Learn more about Group Therapy
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Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
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Mindfulness
The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.
Learn more about Mindfulness
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Online Counselling
Counselling conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging, providing professional support remotely.
Learn more about Online Counselling
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Psychoeducation
Structured information provided about a mental health condition (what it is, why it occurs, and what strategies can help) as part of the therapeutic process.
Learn more about Psychoeducation
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Trauma Counselling
Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.
Learn more about Trauma Counselling
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Wellness Support
Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.

Works With:

•Adolescents
•Adults
•Groups
•Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

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Abuse
Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.
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Anger
An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.
Learn more about Anger
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Grief, Loss & Bereavement
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.
Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement
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Guilt or Forgiveness
Persistent feelings of guilt, shame, or difficulty forgiving oneself or others that weigh on emotional well-being and relationships.
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Identity & Self-Image
A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.
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Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues
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Self-Care
Deliberate actions taken to maintain or improve one's own mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Learn more about Self-Care
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Self-Esteem
A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.
Learn more about Self-Esteem
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Young Adult Issues
The unique psychological challenges of emerging adulthood (18–25), including identity formation, independence, relationship navigation, and finding direction.
Learn more about Young Adult Issues
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Stress / Burnout
The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).
Learn more about Stress / Burnout

Professional Title:

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Specialist Wellness Counselor
A counselor specialising in holistic well-being, integrating mental, emotional, and lifestyle support.

Qualifications

Gideon Robert University

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Registrations

Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP)

Specialist Wellness Counselor

Board of Addiction Professionals (BAPSA)

Level 3 - Addiction Counsellor

Memberships

Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP)

Full Member

Membership: SWC20/613

Service Area

Blossom Being Wellness Healthcare Counselling Services

In-person & Online

Vredekloof

Cape Town, Western Cape

South Africa