Who is Dr. Gretha Heymans?
Dr. Gretha Heymans served for many years as a minister in a congregation (making history on 20 March 1994 as the first woman ordained as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church) and currently serves part-time as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church and full-time as a pastoral therapist. Through decades of ministry she has gained extensive experience in pastoral counselling and therapy.
She holds multiple degrees in Theology alongside a Master's and Doctorate in Pastoral Therapy from the University of the Free State: B.A. (UOVS), B.Th (UOVS), NDT (UOVS), M.Th (UOVS), Ph.D (UOVS).
You can be assured that she offers an environment of security, care, and compassion. She is deeply motivated to help you view your difficulties from a fresh angle and suggest practical strategies for change so that you can reach your full potential and live as a fulfilled person.
“I want you to live the best life that you can. Therefore my starting point is: ‘I came that you might have life and abundance’ (John 10:10). Christ came so that you could have an abundant life, and I want to help. You shouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than exactly that.”
When do you need therapy?
Feeling trapped, overwhelmed, or lost in your circumstances? Are you unsure where your life is going, or has life lost its meaning? More and more people visit pastoral counsellors to understand themselves better, discover personal growth, and stop feeling like victims controlled by their circumstances. Your problems do not have to control you — you can take charge of your problems.
You might think you can simply discuss your challenges with friends. Remember that friends cannot listen objectively, and you may not feel comfortable sharing your deepest emotions with them. An experienced professional outsider listens objectively and helps you gain a new perspective on your life.
Anyone can benefit from counselling even if you are just confused or sad. You are not weak if you are willing to talk about painful experiences, emotions, or memories and make positive changes to heal. It is never easy to admit you need help, and the fact that you are on this website is already your first step. Get help earlier rather than later.
What can you expect?
A therapist does not merely give advice, but guides you toward self-understanding by asking the right questions. The course of sessions depends on your specific situation and needs:
- Visualization Therapy: A method where you gently confront feelings experienced during past events and replace old negative mental images with new, constructive images. Beyond trauma recovery, visualization is also highly effective for study motivation, weight management, and goal attainment.
- Pastoral Narrative Method: Directly or indirectly reconnects your personal life story with God’s greater story for your life.
- Genograms: Looking into family history and family-of-origin patterns to understand relational dynamics.
- Rational-Emotive Therapy: Examining specific thought processes that trigger distressing emotions and learning how to renew your thinking patterns.
- Guided Reflection & Homework: After each session, reflective questions and practical tasks are given to establish lasting change.