Lauren

Mrs Lauren van Eck, MSc

Occupational Therapist Registered

Verified

“I am a Registered Occupational Therapist with the HPCSA, working in the fields of mental health, addiction recovery, emotional regulation, and relationship difficulties. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, addiction, burnout, self-esteem difficulties, and unhealthy relational patterns. I help clients rebuild the practical foundations that support mental wellbeing, including routine, structure, emotional regulation, coping skills, boundaries, relationships, and daily functioning. I work particularly well with clients who feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in recurring patterns, or unsure how to regain stability in their lives and relationships.”

About Me

I work with adults in Bellville and greater Cape Town area and also offer online counselling across South Africa. I believe therapy should feel both supportive and real, a space where you do not need to hide parts of yourself, perform, or have everything figured out before asking for help. Clients often describe me as calm, warm, grounded, and easy to talk to. While therapy can involve difficult conversations, I aim to create an environment where clients feel safe enough to explore these experiences honestly and without judgement. I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel intimidating, especially when life already feels emotionally heavy. My intention is to offer a space where you feel supported, understood, and able to move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels manageable and sustainable.

Approach

My approach is practical, collaborative, and focused on real-life change. While therapy creates space to explore difficult emotions and experiences, it is also important that the work translates into everyday functioning and wellbeing. Together, we identify patterns that may be contributing to distress and develop practical strategies to navigate them more effectively. My work integrates approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), psychoeducation, Expressive Arts interventions, and family-based work where appropriate. Therapy is tailored to each individual’s needs, with clear goals and practical strategies that support long-term emotional and behavioural change. I place particular focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, self-awareness, and building routines that support greater stability and resilience over time.
Contact Lauren

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

I work with adults experiencing: - Anxiety and chronic stress - Addiction and recovery support - Emotional dysregulation - Relationship and attachment difficulties - Self-esteem and identity concerns - Burnout and emotional exhaustion - Difficulty maintaining routine, structure, and balance - Life transitions and personal growth - Emotional overwhelm and coping difficulties. Therapy may involve: - Emotional regulation and coping skills - Building healthier routines and structure - Developing insight into behavioural and relational patterns - Improving communication and boundaries - Relapse prevention and recovery support - Strengthening self-awareness and self-worth - Creating healthier ways of managing stress and emotions. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and practical, with a focus on helping clients build lasting emotional resilience and meaningful change in everyday life.

Services Offered:

  • Addiction Counselling

    Counselling specifically focused on substance use or behavioural addictions, addressing the psychological drivers and patterns of dependence.

    Learn more about Addiction Counselling
  • Addiction Services

    A range of services for addiction that may include counselling, detox support, group programmes, and aftercare planning.

  • CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT
  • 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
  • Crisis Support & Counselling

    Emergency emotional support and counselling for people in acute psychological distress, available at the point of need.

    Learn more about Crisis Support & Counselling
  • DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

    A structured therapy that combines cognitive behavioural techniques with mindfulness, designed to help people regulate intense emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships.

  • Free Consultation

    A no-cost initial session to meet the therapist, discuss needs, and decide whether they are the right fit before committing.

  • Wellness Support

    Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.

  • 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
  • Outpatient Services

    Mental health treatment attended during the day without hospital admission, including therapy sessions and psychiatric appointments.

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • Alcohol Use / Addiction

    A pattern of alcohol consumption that has become harmful to a person's health, relationships, or ability to function day-to-day.

    Learn more about Alcohol Use / Addiction
  • Bipolar

    A mood disorder involving episodes of mania (abnormally elevated mood and energy) alternating with episodes of depression, affecting judgement, sleep, and daily functioning.

    Learn more about Bipolar
  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • 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.

  • Men's Issues

    Psychological challenges commonly experienced by men, including difficulty expressing emotions, anger, relationship struggles, fatherhood pressures, and societal expectations of masculinity.

  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Pornography or Sexual Behaviour Concerns

    Sexual behaviours, including pornography use, that feel compulsive, out of control, or are causing distress or harm to oneself or relationships.

  • 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
  • Women's Issues

    Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.

Professional Title:

  • Occupational Therapist Registered

    A registered occupational therapist who helps people develop or recover the practical skills needed for daily life, work, and social participation.

Credentials

Registrations

Health Professions Council of South Africa

Registered Counsellor

Registration: OT0097420

Verify License

Qualifications

Master of Science

University of the Western Cape

Year: 2021

Service Areas

Alkashai

In-person & Online

Sonstraal

Belville, Western Cape 7550

South Africa

Also serving online:

Cape Town · Stellenbosch · Paarl

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