Frederick van Wyk

We are happy to welcome Frederick van Wyk to our expert panel. Frederick went into private practice after finisihing his studies but a void forced him to find something that would be more fulfilling and would make a difference to more people.

When we met I was overwhelmed by his passion and focus as well as his innerlife force which you only find in people who have found their true calling in life. He does play therapy as well as present courses to parents to teach them how play can assist a child in overcoming mayor trauma or just a "bad" day.

His introduction:
I am a counseling psychologist and did all the mandatory studies in order to practice in this regard at the then called Rand Afrikaans University.  I qualified in 1997 and started to practice immediately.  In Pretoria, Moreleta Park I had a busy practice specializing in nothing, treating almost “anything”, kind of like a GP, only working with emotional matters.  The practice got so busy and more and more people wanted to see me.  I was very frustrated as I could only be with one person at a time, for one hour a day, once a week.  And there were so many people on the waiting list.  Sitting, on my back side for 8 to 10 hours a day, listening to people talk about their problems, did not seem to be the way I wanted to spend the next 10 years of my life. 

Something was wrong with that picture.  So I went on a holiday.  A long holiday.  In fact, the holiday lasted 7 years.  After all that rest, I returned to practice - only to do it differently this time.  I was going to work with children primarily- helping them before their traumas become adult pathology.  I was going to listen very little and talk very little.  We were going to have fun.  We were going to play, dance, paint, do clay work, do dramas, tell stories, build sand castles, and anything else that does not involve too much sitting and talking. 

So now, I play most of the time, teach parents how to play with their children, and do many other “alternative” approaches to healing.  Children and families get better.  And I go home less tired and more fulfilled. 

I practice in Strand, Woltemade st. 6.  And also see people at 12 Redcliffe rd, Parklands, Cape Town. 
Tel. no. 084 419 6660.  frederickvanwyk@yahoo.com

He is ready to take your questions.