Wholistic Brief Therapist • Family Constellations Trainer • Counsellor • Coach
I’m Edwina van der Westhuizen, a wholistic brief therapist, Family Constellations trainer and facilitator, and Masters-qualified counsellor. My work is all about helping people reconnect to their authentic selves - clearing the patterns, beliefs, and inherited loyalties that hold them back from living with clarity, purpose, and freedom.
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I was born in South Africa during the height of apartheid and moved to Australia with my family at the age of three. Those early upheavals sparked a lifelong search for truth and shaped my deep understanding of systems - family systems, cultural systems, and inner systems. I quickly came to realise that the key to creating real change in the world starts with doing your own inner work. That journey led me to explore human behaviour, consciousness, and the many ways we carry the past in our bodies, relationships, and choices.
Before I became a therapist, I started my career in fashion as a sought-after pattern maker. I was known for turning concepts into beautifully wearable garments by weaving together interlocking shapes - bringing vision into form. That same gift now informs my work with people: helping them make sense of the pieces of their life story and create something new, integrated, and empowering.
After years of success in fashion, I shifted into coaching, training, and facilitation - helping individuals and organisations achieve real, sustainable transformation. In 2003, Family Constellations found me, and it opened a profound new chapter. I’ve trained around the world and presented at international conferences. Today, I work with individuals, couples, families, teams, and organisations, using a powerful blend of modalities to guide people back to their essence.
My approach is wholistic, simple, and deep. I believe the power to heal is already within you - I’m just here to help you access it. I integrate mind, body, and soul in every session, and I work intuitively with what your system needs most in the moment. Whether we’re working with trauma, identity, parenting, relationships, or purpose, I tailor sessions using a wide range of tools including Family Constellations, EFT, Brainspotting, somatic integration, NLP, coaching, attachment theory, nervous system regulation, and more.
I currently work part-time as a family counsellor in a primary school setting, supporting parents and children through complex challenges. I also have extensive experience working with individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence and am a Level 2 facilitator of the Beyond the Violence program. My work is trauma-informed, systemic, and grounded in practical tools that bring lasting results.
Alongside my husband Christo, I co-run a coaching, training, and cultural change company. I’m also the founder of systemiclaw a project inspired by the transformative work being done in Brazil to bring Family Constellations into legal and justice systems.
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Who I Work With
I work with individuals, couples, teams, and organisations to support deep personal growth, systemic insight, and sustainable transformation.
Experience & Training
With over 30 years of experience across fashion, coaching, counselling, systemic facilitation, and education, I bring a unique blend of grounded wisdom, creativity, and intuitive intelligence to every session. I’m deeply committed to helping you reclaim you - with clarity, confidence, and consciousness.
Qualifications & Professional Training Include:
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Master of Counselling – Monash University
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Postgraduate in Education – Monash University
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Systemic Constellations Facilitator (Family & Organisational)
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Master NLP Practitioner
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Life & Business Coach
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Consciousness-Centred Coaching
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Brainspotting (Phases 1 & 2)
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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
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Emotional Mind Integration & Rapid Core Healing
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Reiki (Levels I & II)
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Trauma-Informed Coach
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ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
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Beyond the Violence Facilitator (Level 1 & 2)
Additional Integrative Approaches I Work With:
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Somatic (Body-Based) Awareness
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Parts Work (Parts to Wholeness)
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Nervous System Regulation
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Higher States of Consciousness & Field Awareness
This unique combination allows me to offer a truly wholistic approach, tailored to the individual or system I’m working with.
Leadership & Projects
I’ve presented at three international Family & Systemic Constellations conferences and currently serve on the advisory board for Constellators International, a global organisation advancing systemic work.
Together with my husband Christo, I co-run a coaching, training, and cultural change company that works with individuals and organisations to support deep systemic shifts.
With a love for constellations and a passion for justice, I also founded systemiclaw - a project inspired by the transformative work happening in Brazil, where Family Constellations are being brought into the courtroom to support resolution and human dignity within the justice system.
"Edwina facilitates the Family Constellations weekend from a place of compassion and extensive experience working with people. She is present to every person in the room at all times and her amazing insight just seems to flow. For anyone feeling the burden of entrenched unconscious patterns, this workshop can help unravel the blocks to feeling free to move forward. Whether booking a constellation for yourself, or to be a representative for others, I guarantee you will be blown away by the process. Thank you Edwina, for your insight and guidance. I left the workshop feeling grounded, positive and light and I look forward to participating in the future".
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Brian
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Board member of
- Constellators-International CI- advisory board member
Member of
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- Constellators-International CI- platinum member
- ISCA - International Systemic Constellations Association
- Executive member of IICT - International Institute Complementary Therapists
- Certified practising counsellor (CPC) - PACFA Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
- Australia Counselling Association (ACA) - Level 2
- EFT International (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
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With Deep Gratitude
A heartfelt thank you to the many people who have shaped my journey—personally, professionally, and spiritually.
To all the teachers who have helped me learn more about myself and deepen my understanding of Family and Systemic Constellations—thank you for your wisdom and generosity:
Yildiz Sethi
Ursula Franke-Bryson & Thomas Bryson
Shavasti (John L. Payne)
Dr Jane Peterson
Brenda Sutherland
Catherine Ingram-Silver
Ingala Robl
Mark Wolynn
Stephan Hausner
Emily Waymire
Betsy Bergstrom
I’ve also learnt so much from Bert Hellinger - not in person, but through his books, teachings, and DVDs, which continue to be a rich source of insight and guidance. His work laid the foundation for so much of what I do today.
A special thank you to my husband, Christo, and to my family for their unwavering support.
And a deep bow to Australia and her people, for offering me a home for over 53 years. I’m honoured to live and work on this land.
Finally, to each of you who have trusted me to walk beside you on your healing journey - thank you. It’s been a privilege to witness your transformation. I wish you continued courage, grace, and clarity as you keep moving inward, toward your true self.
