Counseling - Using Sandtray & Play Therapy
Techniques"

February 2022 - 5 years after the loss of my husband I met Marietjie.

February was our wedding anniversary month, and my husband also tragically passed in the month of February, so every year at this time it is a struggle for me.

At the time I made contact, I needed help with my current relationship with many personal challenges and emotional struggles. For 5 years I have not seen anyone myself, my daughter was turning into a teenager, and she had play therapy at the age of 10, right after her father passed. My thinking was that if this style of therapy helped my daughter, then it should work for me as well. Especially if Marietjie was applying similar practice as well as other styles of therapy to adults as well. I started therapy the same week we made contact. Not long later I had my daughter back at therapy with Marietjie to do a top-up on her sessions from age 10 as well. I referred so many of my friends, with their own personal losses and struggles, even my partner at that stage was seeing her. We attempted couples therapy together which my then partner decided to end. (This explains why we are no longer together, which is for the better) Marietjie by my side for every step of the way forward.

With reference to myself and my daughter’s therapy - Marietjie was the calm in our storm. Her one-on-one compassion and soft interaction, allowing us to just be ourselves. No judgement, no forced ideologies or practices. Giving a knowledgeable ear and patient heart, feeling every emotion and supporting our individual personalities to such an extent that the next appointment became the highlight of our week.

Martietjie’s spiritual and religious foundations and convictions were a breath of fresh air. Allowing each of us to open our hearts and thoughts to flow, no matter what our own ideologies were. Her soft personality, calming our emotions and thoughts to give us space to think clearly about our struggles and terrors. Giving us our own individual tools and actions to remedy a better outcome to our anxieties. Still relevant to this day.

2026 – Although Marietjie allows for long distance sessions over video calls or just a friendly voice note on WhatsApp, I wish she was back in Port Elizabeth where I met her. To have that personal one-on-one space appointments, hands on sessions and processing my subconscious in the sand.

I can highly recommend allowing Marietjie into your life, heart, mind and soul.

Today I can say, I have a life-long friend in Marietjie, and I thank God and the universe for bringing her along my way.

I am blessed

Regards

Elzet

Marietjie van der Westhuizen was employed at my aftercare centre, Flink Dink. She was extremely reliable, never late, and always willing to go the extra mile for the children entrusted to her care. She assisted learners from Grade 4 to Grade 7 with both homework and exam preparation.

As a fellow colleague at Laerskool Proteapark, I experienced her as a deeply faithful woman with a remarkable passion for children in need. She never hesitated to conduct immediate research whenever a specific learner's therapy required it.
Marietjie embodies CARE, LOVE, RELIABILITY, and HUMILITY.

Kind regards,
Yvette Enslin

We cannot recommend this play therapist highly enough. From the moment our children began therapy, we started noticing positive changes. Over time, the difference has been truly significant — they are more confident, better at expressing their emotions, and much more settled overall.

The therapist created such a safe, warm, and supportive environment where our children felt comfortable opening up in their own way. The care, professionalism, and genuine compassion shown throughout the process made such an impact on our family. We are so thankful for the progress our children have made.