Specialist General Psychiatrist | Somerset West
About Dr Kobus van der Walt
About Dr Kobus
van der Walt
Specialist Psychiatric Care in Somerset West That Balances Complexity and Compassion
As a specialist psychiatrist based in Somerset West, my professional journey through medicine, bioethics, and public health has shaped a vision for psychiatric care that is both ethically grounded and deeply human.
My clinical and academic background spans primary care, emergency medicine, and public health research, with experience in South Africa, Canada, and the United States.
I also held a leadership role in an internationally funded health systems strengthening programme, where I worked to bridge clinical science and real-world service delivery — particularly in the area of HIV care for vulnerable communities.
Despite the variety in my work, my enduring passion has always been mental health.
Since 2019, I’ve been in full-time private practice in Somerset West, where I offer thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric care tailored to the needs of each individual.
Learn more about the psychiatric services Dr Kobus van der Walt offers, including TMS Therapy and IV Ketamine and Sleep Studies.
Dr Kobus van der Walt is a member of:
- Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA)
- South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP)
- Psychiatry Management Group (PsychMG)
Dr Kobus van der Walt Approach to Mental Health
An Enactive and Holistic Psychiatric Approach Rooted in Ethics
I practise psychiatry through an enactive, integrative lens, which recognises the intricate interplay between mind, body, environment, and meaning-making.
This approach is informed by neuroscience, philosophy, and lived experience. It understands mental health as relational and context-sensitive — not simply internal, but emerging from how we live, act, and connect.
This model takes seriously the:
– Embodied aspects of emotion and distress
– Enacted patterns of behaviour and engagement
– Experiential dimensions of attention, memory, and narrative
– Existential questions of identity, connection, and purpose
Through this lens, I support individuals of all ages — including neurodivergent patients, those living with treatment-resistant conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and Long-COVID — in navigating a personalised path to recovery.
A Person-Centred, Inclusive Ethic
I aim to practise psychiatry in a way that is:
Sensitive
Informed by each individual’s lived experience
Collaborative
Respectful of agency, goals, and personal insight
Accountable
Guided by evidence, reflection, and ethics
Where appropriate, I work in partnership with other healthcare professionals, including psychologists, therapists, and medical specialists, to ensure that care is both integrated and comprehensive.
Psychiatric care is not only about treating symptoms — it’s about opening space for reflection, meaning, and the possibility of living more fully and connected.”
Life Beyond the Consulting Room
Outside of my clinical work, I value quiet time with my family, early mornings, strong coffee, and the perspective offered by mountains and the ocean.
I have a longstanding interest in philosophy, literature, and the creative arts, which continue to shape how I think about people, purpose, and what it means to heal.
Clinical Collaboration with Sentiverse
My practice is also a registered demonstration site for Sentiverse, a South African provider of home-based neuromodulation therapies and mental health technologies.
This affiliation allows for safe access to selected therapeutic tools as part of structured, evidence-informed care.