Q&A with Maria Van Wyk (Mimi), Psychologist at Inlight Psychology

Interview completed and written by Trinity Teh, UNSW psychology undergraduate on a 3-month internship at Inlight Psychology.

Maria (Mimi) Van Wyk is a psychologist at Inlight Psychology, Bondi Junction. She uses a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic theory, and mindfulness-based therapy, and takes a relational approach with her clients. Mimi cares deeply for her clients and is incredibly passionate about psychology and helping people.

Mimi has a Masters in Clinical Psychology from ACAP and Master of Laws from UNSW.

Q: What inspired you to become a psychologist and did you always want to be a psychologist?

I have always been interested in understanding people and why they think, feel and behave the way they do. My career initially started with me working as a lawyer in South Africa. This was a really enjoyable and intellectually stimulating career, however, the demanding nature of being a lawyer gave me little flexibility for raising my family, which became more of a priority for me as time went on. When I moved to Australia, I reconsidered my career path and ultimately chose psychology, which not only aligned more with my interests but allowed me to have a better work-life balance to help raise my children.

I’m so grateful to be in a profession where I can work closely with people and make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Q: Is there anything that you are very passionate about within the world of psychology?

I have quite a few different areas of interest in psychology. I’m very interested in understanding and learning more about personality development and why certain traits remain consistent over time, while others appear to be more malleable. I am also interested in learning more about body image and the different ways that individuals maintain a healthy relationship with themselves.

Q: How do you see your role as a psychologist?

There are many important parts to my role as a psychologist. I think it’s very important that I help my clients understand themselves, and work with them to explore their emotions and challenges. Every person comes into therapy with a unique story and I see my role as not only providing guidance, but also in helping clients become more confident in helping themselves and making choices that align with their personal goals and values.  

Personally, I think of therapy like a puzzle, where each session helps us connect various pieces to create a bigger image of what lies beneath the surface. Helping someone gain new perspectives, reframe their mindset or even making them feel heard and understood is something I truly find rewarding.

Q: Have you ever had moments of doubt in your career? If so, what helped you move through them?

I have definitely had moments of doubt throughout my career, particularly when considering the transition from law to psychology. Working as a lawyer in South Africa was something I really enjoyed, but over time, I began to question if this was the right long-term career for me. The law can often be quite inflexible, with a clear divide between what is “right” and “wrong” and I felt it was missing the deeper, human connection that I was looking for in my career. 

When I ultimately made the decision to pursue psychology later on, I knew that I carried a lot of life experiences with me. This mentality helped me overcome my uncertainties since I knew that I could still have a long career ahead of me, one that could be more meaningful for both myself and for others.

Q: What would you say to someone who has never done therapy before and is worried about coming into therapy out of fear of being judged? Perhaps a client with a lot of shame.

Firstly, I would say that feeling hesitant or afraid is completely normal. Shame is something we all experience at some points in our lives, but keeping that shame to ourselves can be incredibly difficult. Therapy is a space where you don’t have to carry that weight on your own. It is an opportunity for you to explore yourself and who you are in a safe and supportive environment.

I believe therapy is beneficial for everyone, regardless of where they are in their mental health journey. Looking after our own emotional and mental wellbeing is just as important as taking care of our physical health. You don’t need to be going through a certain crisis to benefit from therapy. I believe it is a space to learn and grow, no matter where you are in life.

Q: What do you do, as a psychologist, to build trust and create a comfortable environment for your clients

I try to bring my authentic self to the therapy room, with a focus on being real and open,  rather than a “clinical professional” with all the answers. I believe when clients see that I am genuinely interested it makes them feel more at ease. I also believe that including them in the decisions around their goals and direction in therapy, helps build a stronger and more trusting connection.

Q: What do you love most about being a psychologist and what is the most rewarding experience working with clients?

One of the things I love most about being a psychologist is the process of getting to know my clients, by listening to their stories and learning about how all the different pieces of their lives fit together. Everyone has their own unique experience, and it is so rewarding to work alongside them to see their growth.

I think it’s also important to remember that people gain different things out of each session, and each is important no matter how big or small. Sometimes I get to see a bit shift in their perspective or mindset, and it can be so powerful to see a weight being lifted off their shoulders. Other times, it’s the small moments that add up into more meaningful change over time. Knowing that I have played some part in helping someone move forward in a meaningful way is really fulfilling.

Q: How do you manage your work life balance to prevent burnout?

Work-life balance was one of the key reasons I chose psychology as a career, so it’s definitely something I prioritise intentionally, especially now that I have a family to look after. I have a lot of interests that keep me grounded. For example, I enjoy spending time with my family and my pets, especially my dogs, going for walks with friends, and staying active by doing yoga and going to the gym, which are all activities that help me unwind outside of the clinic. I also love to tap into my creativity by painting, drawing, and making collages, which allow me to express myself in a completely different way from my clinical work during my therapy sessions. Another passion of mine is studying history and visiting art museums. Additionally, I love to travel and I find exploring different cultures and perspectives really fascinating, which always sparks my curiosity about the world. 

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INLIGHT PSYCHOLOGY | BONDI JUNCTION

Maria (Mimi) Van Wyk is offering therapy at Inlight Psychology, located in the heart of Bondi Junction. Our team sees clients from all over Sydney, the eastern suburbs and surrounds, and more remotely via telehealth. We see a variety of presentations, including anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment difficulties, relationship and interpersonal issues, emotion regulation difficulties, anger, personality difficulties, health issues, etc. Our team has a very strong relational and attachment focused approach. This means that we place great importance on having a strong attunement to the therapeutic relationship and client sense of safety in the therapy room, which we believe is key to a positive experience in therapy.

All our psychologists have tertiary qualifications in Clinical Psychology, as a minimum.

Inlight Psychology offers therapy in-person or via telehealth/video call.

If you would like to learn more about the team at Inlight Psychology, click here.

If you would like to book an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact Inlight Psychology on (02) 8320 0566 or contact@inlightpsychology.com.au.