Cindy Strydom
Clinical Psychologist
- International training in REBT & CBT through the Albert Ellis Institute & Beck Institute, USA
- Member of Academy of Cognitive & Behavioural Therapies (International Association)
- Member of National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist (International Association)
- 14 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist & in practising from a CBT therapeutic modality
- Fluent in English and Afrikaans.
- Registered with the Cognitive Behavioural Association of South Africa (CBTASA)
- Internationally certified as a CBT therapist by NACBT (level 2)
I have presented 22 courses to psychologists, counsellors, social workers & psychiatrists since 2016 on the topic of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
The following are the courses I have presented on:
- Practical CBT: Essentials & Conceptualisation
- Practical CBT: Applying CBT in Practice
- Practical CBT: Practical Case Studies in CBT
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety: Clinical Understanding and Techniques (Calabash)
- Foundations in CBT
- CBT for Anxiety
- Introduction to CBT for Couples
On-demand courses now live!
I have often been asked why I chose to become a psychologist and the answer is simply stated that I am fascinated with people and the lives they life. I have had a keen interest in people and how they overcome struggles, from a very young age. I find joy in celebrating people, their achievements and victories, no matter how small. I love observing moments and conversations people have, but mostly I am in awe of how individuals are resilient and overcome difficulties, even the unimaginable ones. In short, I celebrate human beings and all that they are, and being able to play a small role in people being victors in life, helping them reach new heights in overcoming struggles and achieving growth is a privilege.
I believe that each individual possesses immense capacity to overcome life’s difficulties and foster personal growth, and that through the therapy process we are able to provide knowledge and tools needed and thereby achieve the desired and sustainable change. I am passionate about assisting each client to achieve their optimal functioning and psychological goals. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is vitally important in the process, and therefore place great value on creating an environment in which my clients feel understood and at ease.
I am a HPCSA registered Clinical Psychologist with a preference for working from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic (CBT) paradigm although I adopt an array of therapeutic techniques to optimally benefit each client. I regularly attend courses to further my knowledge and expertise, especially within the field of CBT where I currently have over 300 hours of additional training in the modality. I have completed training accredited by The Albert Ellis Institute, based in New York City, in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), as well as numerous trainings from international accredited The Beck Institute in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and from The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapists.
CBT as a therapeutic technique is highly effective in treating a wide range of difficulties. My international training has had focus on topic such as treating specific anxiety disorders, treating depression & bipolar using CBT, treating personality disorders, treating chronic pain & medical conditions using CBT, among other topics.
I have also appeared on television shows and radio shows numerous times as an expert guest on topics such as grief, parent-child related and anxiety subjects. As well as contributing to articles for some of South Africa’s leading magazines. As from 2016 I have also provided accredited training courses and supervision to other psychologists, social workers and counsellors in the field of CBT, and continue to do so. I am a member of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Association of South Africa (CBTASA), as well as the international associations The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapists (NACBT) and of The Academy of Cognitive & Behavioural Therapies.
I obtained my undergraduate, Honours and Masters’ Degrees in Psychology at the North West University, Potchefstroom. I then completed my internship at 1 Military Hospital and worked for an additional 2 years within the military system. Here I gained a wide range of experience by working with clients of all ages and within diverse settings and spectrum of problems.
I have furthered my experience and knowledge since establishing Cindy Strydom Psychologists in 2012. Private Practice afforded me the opportunity to employ other psychologists into the practice and start a group practice from 2014. In 2017 I founded Rivonia Therapy Centre, a medical centre in Sandton that hosted a team of psychologists as well as other medical professionals. I managed the centre up until my departure in 2022.
Training Attended
I regularly attend courses to further my knowledge and expertise, especially within the field of CBT. Below is a list of some of the training I have attended since obtaining my degree.
- The Albert Ellis Institute: REBT Primary Certification Practicum in Rational-Emotive and Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Techniques
- The Albert Ellis Institute: REBT Advanced Certification Practicum in Rational-Emotive and Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Techniques
- Beck Institute CBT for Anxiety
- Beck Institute: CBT for Couples
- Beck Institute: CBT for Bipolar Disorder
- Beck Institute: CBT for Chronic Medical & Pain Conditions
- Beck Institute: Supervising CBT
- Beck Institute: CBT for Personality Disorders
- Beck Institute: CBT for Depression
- Beck Institute: Essentials of CBT: The Beck Approach
- Beck Institute: CBT for Trauma
- NACBT CBT Certification: Rational Living Therapy Level-One
- NACBT Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Cognitive-Behavioural Approach
- NACBT Treating Worry & Generalized Anxiety: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Approach
- NACBT Relationship/Marital Therapy – A CBT Approach
- Introduction to Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- The Wisdom of Change: Applying Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Skills Flexibly in Clinical Practice
- Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders
- Treating Insomnia: The Neuroscience of Sleep (CBT-I)
- Foundations of DBT
- Schema Therapy: An Introduction
- Schema Therapy Institute of South Africa: Schema Therapy (ISST)
- Essentials of CBT with Kids
- Exposure Therapy: An Essential Component of CBT Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
- Cognitive -Behavioural Therapy for Social Phobia: Empirically Supported, Disorder Specific Treatment Strategies
- CBT for OCD: from Childhood to Adulthood
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Webinar
- International Pattern Analysis (IPA)
- SACNA Neuroscience Refresher Course
- Basic CNS Pharmacology (I)
- Neuropsychology: Essential Tools for the Practice
- Post Natal Depression Training Workshop
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Law & Ethics in Psychology Courses 2 and 4
- Online Medical Law Course
- Employment: Ethics and Legal Requirements
- Confidentiality & Ethics: Protection of Personal Information Act
- Introduction to ICD-10 Coding
- Care of the Caregivers
- Crowd Psychology: Understanding the behaviour of Crowds in a Crisis
- Mass Casualty and Trauma Management
- Revisiting Sexual Behaviour in Children
- HPCSA, Malpractice and Ethical Decision Making