WendyFionaHay

"Recovery begins with listening — to your body, your limits, and your innate wisdom."

Wendy Fiona Hay is a Clinical and Community Psychologist with over two decades of experience in trauma, addiction, and mind–body therapy. Her journey into psychology began with a background in nursing, which gave her a deep understanding of the body's wisdom and the interconnection between physical and emotional health.

After completing her Master's degree in General Psychology and Clinical Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Wendy worked in diverse settings including Riverfield Lodge, the Tara Hospital Eating Disorders Unit, and with FAMSA (Family and Marriage Society of South Africa) providing employee wellness counselling through programs like ICAS.

After developing long COVID herself, Wendy shifted her focus to helping others living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), post-viral exhaustion, and long COVID-related symptoms — integrating the psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of healing.

Her work is deeply informed by ecopsychology, recognizing the profound connection between human wellbeing and the natural world.

My Journey

My path to specializing in chronic fatigue and long COVID recovery is deeply personal. After experiencing long COVID myself, I discovered firsthand the profound impact of post-viral conditions on every aspect of life - physical, emotional, and spiritual. This lived experience, combined with over two decades of clinical work, has shaped my approach to healing: one rooted in compassion, patience, and the understanding that recovery is not linear.

My Approach

I integrate clinical psychology with ecopsychology, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. My practice honors the wisdom of the body, the healing power of nature, and the importance of pacing. I believe that true recovery happens when we learn to listen deeply to ourselves and work with our natural rhythms, not against them.

Credentials & Experience

I hold a Master's degree in General Psychology and Clinical Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand and am a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). My career includes work with FAMSA, hospice care training, community outreach (including the Phelophepa train project), training facilitator for Equip for Life, and specialized work with eating disorders at Tara Hospital. I also work with Adult Children of Alcoholics and provide employee wellness counselling through ICAS programs. As a freelance writer, I've contributed articles to publications and participated in radio and television interviews on psychological topics.

Philosophy

Healing is not about pushing through… it's about coming home to your own rhythm. I believe that chronic fatigue and burnout are signals, not failures. They invite us to reconnect with ourselves, to honor our limits, and to rediscover meaning beyond productivity. My work is guided by the principle that we heal through connection: to ourselves, to others, and to the natural world.

"My commitment is to create a therapeutic space that honors your pace, validates your experience, and supports your journey back to wholeness — one gentle step at a time."

— Wendy Hay