Wholistic Brief Therapist • Family Constellations Trainer • Counsellor • Coach

I’m Edwina Van Der Westhuizen, a Clinical Counsellor, Family and Systemic Constellations facilitator and trainer, trauma-informed therapist and coach.

For more than 20 years, I have worked with people through coaching, training, facilitation and personal and organisational change. Since 2003, I have also worked alongside my husband, Christo, in our business supporting individuals, leaders, teams and organisations through cultural and behavioural change.

My journey into Family Constellations began in 2009, and since then I have undertaken extensive training in Family, Systemic and Organisational Constellations in Australia and internationally. I have facilitated thousands of constellations with individuals, couples, families and groups, presented at international conferences, and now train and supervise practitioners in this work.

I later completed a Master of Counselling at Monash University, bringing together my years of experience in coaching, systemic work and facilitation with formal counselling and psychotherapy training. My counselling experience has included private practice, working with children and families in a primary school setting, and supporting people experiencing complex trauma, family violence, relationship difficulties and significant life transitions.

My work integrates systemic thinking with trauma-informed, somatic and nervous-system-based approaches. Drawing on modalities including Brainspotting, EFT, parts work, coaching and body-based awareness, I look beyond the presenting issue to explore the deeper patterns and experiences that may be shaping a person’s life, relationships and sense of self.

I was born in South Africa during the height of apartheid and moved to Australia as a child. These early experiences shaped my interest in belonging, identity, justice and the powerful influence of family, cultural and societal systems. They have also contributed to my curiosity about what we carry across generations and what becomes possible when we begin to see these influences more clearly.

My approach is holistic, relational and practical. I’m interested not only in what has happened in your life, but also in what your body remembers, what your relationships reveal, what your family system may carry, and what might be ready to change.

At the heart of my work is a belief that we each have an innate movement towards healing and greater wholeness. My role is not to tell you who you should become, but to create a space where you can understand what has shaped you, reconnect with yourself, and have greater freedom in how you choose to live your life.

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:

Counselling & Psychotherapy

Master of Counselling – Monash University
Graduate Certificate of Education – Monash University
Certified Practitioner in Family Constellations
Practitioner Organisational / Systemic Constellations
Trauma-Informed Coach
Brainspotting
Master Practitioner Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Family Violence & Risk Assessment

MARAM – Identification and Intermediate – working with adults using family violence
MARAM – Identification and Screening, Brief and Intermediate – victim/survivors
Information Sharing Schemes – VIC State Government
Beyond the Violence Facilitator

Additional Training

ASIST – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
First Aid and CPR (current)
Certificate II in Community Services (AOD)
Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
Reiki I and II

Additional Integrative Approaches I Work With:

Somatic (Body-Based) Awareness
Parts Work (Parts to Wholeness)
Nervous System Regulation
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".

Brian

Board member of
- Constellators-International CI- advisory board member

Member of

- Constellators-International CI- platinum member

- ISCA - International Systemic Constellations Association
- Executive member of IICT - International Institute Complementary Therapists

- Clinical counsellor - PACFA Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

- Australia Counselling Association (ACA) - Level 3

- EFT International (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

constellation-relationshopis-IICT-Certif

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.

So honoured to have Dr Ursula Franke-Bryson as my mentor