Cindy Strydom

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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.