Tess

Ms Tess Tambourlas

Specialist Wellness Counselor

I approach our sessions holistically by working with body, mind and spirit connection. I use mindfulness-meditation, with CBT tools in my practice to help ground you in the present moment. We'll look at how your past has impacted your present and, how your thoughts affect your emotions, behaviour and experience.

About Me

I offer a warm, holistic space to connect your body, mind, and spirit. We can use mindfulness-meditation to help you feel grounded in the present, even amidst life's challenges. We'll gently explore how past experiences influence your current thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. This approach guides you to profound self-understanding, fostering greater well-being and a clearer path forward.

Approach

Sessions unfold with gentle pacing, pairing mindful practice with practical CBT techniques so you notice bodily cues, name thoughts, and test small changes between meetings. You’ll meet me in English from my Cape Town consulting space or through secure online sessions, and we’ll build brief practices you can try during the week to steady mood and clarify choices. I tend to work collaboratively and concretely—tracking patterns, experimenting with new responses, and using reflective exercises—so those navigating loss, transitions or burnout feel steadier and more in charge.
Contact Tess

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Services Offered:

  • Advocacy

    Services that help individuals navigate healthcare, education, or social systems to ensure their mental health needs are recognised and met.

    Learn more about Advocacy
  • Corporate Workshops

    Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.

  • 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
  • Relationship Counseling

    Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

  • Mediation

    A structured process in which a neutral third party helps people in conflict reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

    Learn more about Mediation
  • 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
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

    A therapy combining mindfulness meditation with cognitive behavioural techniques, designed particularly to prevent relapse in depression.

    Learn more about Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Philosophy

    A therapeutic approach that uses philosophical inquiry to explore questions of meaning, ethics, identity, and how to live a good life.

  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Stress Management

    Techniques and strategies for managing the body and mind's response to excessive demands, including relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and lifestyle changes.

    Learn more about Stress Management
  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Communities
  • Couples
  • Elderly
  • Families
  • Groups
  • Individuals
  • Organisations
  • Parents

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • Behaviour or Conduct Issues

    Persistent patterns of defiant, aggressive, or rule-breaking behaviour in children or adolescents that significantly disrupt home, school, or social life.

  • Grief & Loss

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.

    Learn more about Grief & Loss
  • 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
  • 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
  • Men's Issues

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

  • 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
  • Spiritual or Faith-Based Counseling

    Counselling that integrates spiritual or religious beliefs into the therapeutic process for people who want faith to be part of their healing.

  • 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:

  • Specialist Wellness Counselor

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

Qualifications


University of The Western Cape

University of Witwatersrand

Registrations


Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP)

Specialist Wellness Counselor

Service Area


The Virtual Couch Counselling, Hout Bay, Cape Town (in person or online)

In-person & Online

Hout Bay

Cape Town, Western Cape

South Africa

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