- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- EMDR-informed work
- Psychodynamic perspectives
About Andy
Andy Bouwman is an AASW credentialed social worker and therapist with five years' experience in Australia. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction, and lists social anxiety and phobia among his focus areas.
Andy uses practical, down-to-earth methods to help people manage overwhelming feelings and difficult situations. Sessions tend to involve noticing what matters most, learning small skills to respond differently, and talking through patterns that keep problems going. He describes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as his primary approach but draws on other methods where helpful.
Before working in private practice he spent time in public mental health settings. That work exposed him to a wide range of difficulties including eating-related concerns and personality-related struggles. He brings that variety of experience into sessions so people get options rather than only one approach.
Andy pays particular attention to problems that follow from attachment wounds, communication breakdowns, guilt and shame, and isolation. He also supports clients who want to clarify life purpose or manage relationship troubles without attempting to treat others in those relationships.
Sessions are conversational and focused on what the person wants to change. He will suggest exercises drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR and psychodynamic ideas when they suit the aim. People are encouraged to set practical goals and review progress across sessions.
How his approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying personal values and practising small, meaningful actions. It helps people who feel stuck by shifting attention from avoidance to value-driven steps. EMDR, used for trauma-related symptoms, involves guided attention and memory processing to reduce the power of distressing memories. It can be helpful for people with trauma or intense intrusive memories. Psychodynamic therapy looks at recurring patterns and early relationships to understand why certain difficulties keep repeating; it can be useful for longer-standing problems with attachment or personality related concerns.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. He will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs and preferences. That means reviewing what’s working and adjusting the plan over time rather than committing to a single method from the start.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins if needed, and reduce travel time. It also means elements such as ACT exercises, EMDR processing, and reflective psychodynamic conversation can be delivered in ways that suit the person's schedule and comfort, with the therapist helping to adapt techniques for remote sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction, and focuses on issues such as social anxiety and phobia, attachment, guilt and isolation.
What is his therapy style like?
Sessions are conversational and practical, emphasising values, small behavioural changes and reflection on patterns that keep problems going.
How long has he been practising?
He has five years of clinical experience, including time in public mental health settings.
What credentials and where is he based?
He is AASW credentialed and based in Australia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and what formats are available?
Confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography does not specify the exact formats used.
How much do sessions cost and how do payments work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.