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Tasch Van Zyl

Tasch Van Zyl

Dr

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9633-8772

Personal profile

Summary

I am a Senior Teaching Fellow in Health Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, where I contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, curriculum development, and research supervision.

As a Chartered Psychologist and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner, I bring cross‑sector experience spanning academia, healthcare, medical settings, business, and consultancy. My work integrates psychological science with lifestyle and behavioural medicine to support evidence‑based professional training and practice.

My core professional focus is advancing the integration of research-informed education and integrative healthcare. I am committed to enhancing teaching excellence, developing practitioner capability, and contributing to person‑centred, trauma‑informed models of care.

Professional Affiliations
  • Chartered Member, British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Registered Practitioner, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Member, British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM)
  • Fellow, Royal Society of Public Health (FRSPH)
  • Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Biography

I am an HCPC-registered Health Psychologist with a multidisciplinary background spanning biological, social, and psychological sciences. I completed my honours degree in psychology in South Africa before pursuing further qualifications in the UK, including a PGCE (University of Greenwich), an MSc in Health Psychology (University of Derby), and a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology (University of the West of England). I also hold professional training in naturopathic practices, therapeutic physical therapy, herbalism, and nutrition.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND TEACHING

I have extensive experience across higher and further education. I have developed and led programmes in Health and Social Care since 2004, and previously served as Assistant Head of Undergraduate Provision at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, where I played a key role in embedding behaviour change within the curriculum and training healthcare professionals. I joined the University of Portsmouth in 2023 as a Senior Teaching Fellow in Health Psychology and contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research supervision, and digital health consultancy.

I am also an Applied Psychology Practice Supervisor with the BPS and support students wishing to complete their BPS Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology (QHP). 

THERAPEUTIC AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

Alongside my academic work, I have a long-standing clinical career beginning in community and hospital pharmacy in South Africa and the UK. As a Clinical Director and Independent Consultant, I have practised Lifestyle Medicine since 1997 and work with an integrative, personalised, and trauma‑informed approach that combines behaviour change techniques, counselling, coaching, and lifestyle interventions. I provide clinical supervision and consultancy services in both the private sector and the NHS.

Teaching Responsibilities

I lead and teach on the MSc in Health Psychology programme and teach on the BSc(Hons) Psychology programme. These programmes include several different topics, such as applied research methods, theories of behaviour change, psychopathology, psychological interventions in the context of clinical and health psychology practice and quality of life.
 
I am the module coordinator for Applied Health Psychology and Placements, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students. I am also involved in student recruitment, induction and pastoral care, facilitating a positive academic journey for our students.
 
I actively contribute to curriculum development, aligning with BPS and HCPC standards, and am a member of the Quality of Life, Health and Wellbeing Research Group and the Qualitative Research Network.

Research Interests

My research interests/specialities in Health Psychology include but are not limited to psychobiological medicine (e.g., PNIE), the impact of stress, alternative approaches to managing menopause, addiction, healthy ageing, obesity and diabetes management,  supporting people living with chronic illness, health behaviours and behaviour change.


I am also interested in developing or collaborating on developing high-reach individual behavioural interventions (e.g., to help people living with obesity or addiction), policy-level interventions, advocacy, policy-making, and public engagement in research.

Media Availability

Media trained television and radio presenter.

Available for media work.

Education/Academic qualification

DProf, Health Psychology, University of the West of England

Award Date: 15 Nov 2022

MSc, Health Psychology, University of Derby

Award Date: 1 Sept 2017

PgDIP, Psychology, London Metropolitan University

Award Date: 7 Jul 2014

PGCE, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, University of Greenwich

Award Date: 18 Jul 2007

BA (Hons), 3 papers - Social Science Research, Physiological Psychology, and Psychopathology , University of South Africa

Award Date: 30 Nov 2000

BA, Psychology (with Counselling), Sociology and Human Biology , University of South Africa

Award Date: 18 Apr 1998

External positions

Visiting Lecturer, Institute for Optimum Nutrition

External Examiner, Regent's University London

Health Psychologist | Lead Clinical Supervisor | Senior Clinical Practitioner, The Health Matters Group (MDT Clinic)

Dr Natascha Van Zyl CPsychol Health Psychologist, Clinical Director and Consultant

Applied Practice Supervisor , British Psychological Society

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 1 - No Poverty
    SDG 1 No Poverty
  2. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  3. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  4. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  5. SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality
  6. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  7. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  8. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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  • 5 Membership of committee or panel
  • 2 Participation in conference
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