About Dr. Elrika
Qualifications and Registrations
- Doctorate in Psychology
- Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology
- Master’s Certificate in Executive and Leadership Coaching
BPsych Degree – Bachelor’s Degree of Psychology - BA Degree – Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Afrikaans (languages)
- Practitioner Psychologist – Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC – UK)
- CPsychol – Chartered Counselling Psychologist – British Psychological Society (BPS)
- AFBPsS – Associate Fellow British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Executive and Leadership Coach Level 7, Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM 7)
- Member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC UK)
Dr Elrika moved to the UK after earning first-class (cum laude) degrees in her Master’s (BPsych) and BA degrees in South Africa. She then spent nearly a decade working as a Counselling Psychologist, CBT therapist, and Supervisor at London’s private mental health hospital, The Nightingale (then known as Capio Nightingale).
She recognised the value of coaching in supporting individuals earlier in their mental well-being journeys and earned her ILM-7 Executive and Leadership Coaching certificate from the University of the West of England Business School. Upon relocating to the countryside, she expanded into a portfolio career. She launched her coaching consultancy, Coachmind Consulting, splitting her time between clinical and executive clients.
Alongside her consultancy work with leaders in the C-suite, SMEs, and Education, she held part-time Counselling Psychology roles serving students at two colleges at the University of Cambridge for seven years.
She then spent a year working remotely as an English-speaking psychologist for the Dutch firm OpenUp, serving professionals in the international community while completing her doctoral studies.
As part of her portfolio of work and her dedication to honing her clinical skills, Dr Elrika also maintains a small clinic for private Counselling Psychology Clients and Supervisees.
Dr Elrika earned her doctorate in Psychology, with a focus on Playfulness in Coaching Psychology and Supervision. She is also a Master Workshop Facilitator in the LEGO Serious Play methodology and holds a Workshopper Master Certification from AJ & Smart. Dr Elrika is continually expanding her professional development and seeking new and exciting projects.
Dr Elrika also holds certification from Spectrum Training in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in both adults and children, enabling her to conduct comprehensive assessments in line with NICE guideline NG87.
As a counselling psychologist, Dr Elrika uses a range of approaches and frameworks, including third-wave therapies such as Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness.