Larissa Ernst - Clinical Psychologist, Sexologist & Founder
Location: Leuven and Online
HPCSA 0106267 | COMPSY 822118268
I have had a dream of a multi-disciplinary practice since my years as an undergraduate student in psychology in South Africa. I dreamt of a centre that serves the community in an integrative way where empathy, genuineness and unconditional acceptance forms the cornerstone. This dream was realised in December 2015 when we officially opened Satori Health Centre in Garsfontein, Pretoria, South Africa. Towards the end of 2021 this dream was exceeded when Satori Health Centre became an international practice with the opening of Satori Health Centre Leuven, as well as the international online practice.
During my professional life I have lived and worked in various different towns and cities throughout South Africa. During this time I have also been extensively involved as a trainer in applied psychology at university level as well as in the training centre that I established with professor Charl Vorster in 2010, Satori Centre for Psychotherapy Training. The training centre is now incorporated in Satori Health Centre as Satori Training Centre.
I have been living as an expat in Belgium since 2017 where my practice in Leuven is focussed on psychotherapy for the international and expatriate community. I also offer online psychotherapy, which enables me to assist clients across the globe. My belief is that our mental well-being is directly linked to the nature and quality of our interpersonal relationships. I am passionate about human relationships, interpersonal communication and how people function and relate in the different systems that they function.
I work with adult individual clients, couples/partner relationships and families.
I assist individual clients with adjustment related difficulties, mood related symptoms such a anxiety or depression and sexuality.
Within the context of couples and intimate relationships, I support partners in navigating challenges, improving communication, and deepening emotional and physical intimacy. When separation or divorce becomes necessary, I guide couples through this process in a respectful and amicable way, with a strong focus on the wellbeing of any children involved.
I have extensive experience working with stepfamilies (blended families) and understand the unique dynamics they face. I also have a special interest in perinatal mental health, particularly within the expatriate context, where new parents often lack the support networks they need. I offer compassionate guidance to parents who are at risk of, or recovering from, parental burnout.
As a Sexologist I can assist with sexual pain (e.g. vaginismus), difficulties around arousal e.g. erectile function, issues with desire, sexual inexperience and lack of confidence/insecurity and relationship difficulties.
I provide clinical supervision, practice mentorship and business coaching to other psychologists, counsellors and allied healthcare workers. I am an approved internship site supervisor for the Masters in Counselling Psychology internship programme of Yorkville University in Canada as well as the Masters in Clinical Psychology from both the Université Louvain la Neuve and Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.
I am a registered Clinical Psychologist in both South Africa and Belgium, as well as an European Certified Psycho-Sexologist.
I work in English and Afrikaans.
Consultation hours: Mondays 10:00-15:00 (online only)
Tuesdays 9:30-16:00
Wednesdays 9:00-12:00 (online only)
Thursdays 9:30-16:00
Contact me: larissa.ernst@satorihealthcentre.com or +32 491 19 41 89
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Martelarenplein 20E, Leuven, Belgium
Qualifications:
2008: MSc Clinical Psychology, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus)
2004: BSocSci Hons Psychology, University of Pretoria
2003: BSocSci Psychology, University of Pretoria
Further Training:
Certificate in Family Law, University of North West - Potchefstroom Campus
Family Mediation Training, Social Justice Network
Fundamental Training in Ericksonian Hypnosis, Ericksonian Institute of Stellenbosch
Intermediate Training in Ericksonian Hypnosis, Ericksonian Institute of Stellenbosch
Certificate in Sexology, European Federation of Sexology and European Society of Sexual Medicine
Certification in Parental Burnout, Training Institute for Psychology and Health
Work History:
Present - 2010: Clinical Psychologist in private practice (Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa & Leuven and Brussels, Belgium)
2022 - 2018: Clinical Psychologist, Faresa (Belgium)
2022 - 2017: University Lecturer, The International Academy of Osteopathy (Belgium) - teaching students applied psychology to assist in building an optimal therapeutic relationship with their patients - specifically focussing on communications training and leadership development.
2014 - 2011: Part-time Lecturer, University of Pretoria (South Africa) - training Occupational Therapy students in Person-Centred interviewing and interpersonal communication skills.
2009: Clinical Psychologist (Community Service), Department of Health and Social Welfare, Delareyville, North West Province, South Africa
2008: Intern Clinical Psychologist, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital & Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital
Professional Associations:
Member, Vlaamse Vereniging van Klinisch Psychologen
Certified Psychotherapist, World Council for Psychotherapy
Certified Psycho-Sexologist, European Federation of Sexology and European Society of Sexual Medicine
Blog posts written by Larissa Ernst:
