Ms Tess Tambourlas

Specialist Wellness Counselor

“I approach our sessions holistically by working with nervous system regulation, breathwork, guided visualisations - body, mind, emotion 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.”

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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, breathwork, nervous system regulation, guided visualization - pairing mindful-meditation with practical CBT techniques so you begin to notice bodily cues, name thoughts, emotions and track reactive behaviour and test small changes between sessions. In person in Cape Town 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

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Basic Information

Cape Town, South Africa

In-person & Online

Services

I’m a therapist and relationship specialist - working with individuals, couples, families and teams to improve how we communicate, navigate conflict, and function under pressure. At the core of my work is a simple focus: nervous system regulation and understanding automatic responses and pattenrs of behaviour - how people relate to one another, especially when things become difficult. In my private practice, I support couples in breaking unhelpful patterns, rebuilding connection, intimacy and communicating needs more effectively. This work has shown me how quickly change can happen when people begin to understand the dynamics underneath their interactions, the automatic nervous system responses which become a trigger in the moment conflict. We start to track and practise through real life live moments how we are activated in those moments, and how we can calm the nervous system and show up differently. I bring this same lens into families and organisations. Family systemic responses are generationally entrenched in how we are showing up. Workplace challenges are often not just about workload or performance; they are about communication breakdown, misalignment, and unspoken relational patterns within teams. I work with individuals & couples to become aware of the pattern of automatic responses in behaviour. I work with organisations to: develop resilience & toolset instantly accessible to calm the nervous system, improve interpersonal relationships and prevent or address burnout. Improve team communication and dynamics . Support leaders in managing people under pressure. Navigate conflict in a more constructive and sustainable way My approach all round is practical, psychologically informed, and grounded in real-world dynamics: drawing from breathwork., nervous system regulation, guided visualisation, CBT, mindfulness, meditation and relational therapy. Alongside my therapy work, my background as an Executive Producer gives me direct insight into complex relational dynamics, high-pressure environments - where performance, deadlines, and human dynamics intersect daily. Whether working with couples, families or with teams, the goal is the same: to create more clarity, connection, and resilience in how people relate and work together. 🌐 www.thevirtualcouchcounselling.com

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