ABOUT
I am a bilingual Educational Psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
My journey as an Educational Psychologist began with completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Johannesburg. I then went on to complete a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), followed by an Honours and Masters degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg. My holistic approach to knowledge and learning is maintained through keeping up to date with current trends and techniques through engaging in active Continuous Professional Development.
Prior to my career as an Educational Psychologist, I was a Registered Counsellor from 2010 to 2012 and a Teacher from 2009 to 2011 – I taught at both Primary and High School level at Curro Aurora College and Parktown High School for Girls.
In working at the Centre for Psychological and Career Development (PsyCaD) at the University of Johannesburg as an Intern Educational Psychologist, I gained experience in general therapeutic techniques and assessments, as well as Hypnotherapy and Ego State Therapy. After completing my Internship Training at PsyCaD, I also had the opportunity to work with the organisation as an independent Psychologist within the Career Development Team.
On entering Private Practice as an Educational Psychologist, I have expanded my expertise and experience from a range of assessments and individual therapy with young children, adolescents, and adults to include Medico-legal work (since 2013) as a member of the South African Medico-Legal Association. In 2018, I completed the short course in Medico-Legal Practice presented by UCT Law@Work and the South African Medico-Legal Association (SAMLA). In 2019 and 2020, I have continued these studies through the SAMLA-UCT Medico-Legal Practice Workshops. My passion for learning has also brought me to the doorstep of Neuropsychology, which remains a key interest and a personal goal to further educate myself in this field. In 2019, I completed the Basics and Beyond Foundational Course in Neuropsychology.
I also specialise in Child & Family Mediation (including parenting plans). Through a client-centered and eco-systemic approach, I enjoy assisting my clients to reach their full potential in both their scholastic / professional and personal capacities.
I conduct assessments, therapy and mediation in both English and Afrikaans. With the assistance of trained Interpreters, assessments can also be conducted in the official languages of South Africa.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
ENGLISH
AFRIKAANS
Services includes :
- Assessments
Psychological assessment is a process of psychometric testing that uses a combination of techniques to help provide information about a person and their behaviour, personality and capabilities. A variety of psychological assessment measures are utilised to provide insight into a client’s potential for learning, personality, interests, possible barriers to learning and emotional status. All these aspects are considered and interpreted in assisting parents and caregivers to understand the specific needs of an individual better and to help them to reach their full potential. Assessments are generally requested in situations like: * Parents concerned about their child’s development and progress * Learning difficulties identified by teachers * Poor scholastic performance * Behavioural concerns * School-based Assessment Committee Requests * Concession needs (additional time, scribes, ammanuensis, large typeface, etc.) Types of Assessment Psycho-Educational Assessments School Readiness Assessments Developmental Assessments Subject Choice Assessments Career Assessments Concession & Accommodation Assessments Medico Legal Assessments - Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional (in this case, Educational Psychologist) and a child, adolescent, family, couple or group. The problems addressed are psychological in nature and can vary in terms of their causes, influences, triggers and potential resolutions. Psychotherapy aims to increase the individual’s sense of his/her own well-being. Psychotherapists employ a range of techniques based on experiential relationship-building, dialogue, communication and behaviour changes that are designed to improve the mental health of a client, or to improve relationships. Psychotherapy can be conducted in the following ways: Individual Psychotherapy Group Psychotherapy & Support Groups Play Therapy Online Therapy Trauma Debriefing & Counselling - Medico-legal Assessments
Medico Legal Assessment is when medical knowledge is sought to answer legal questions. In the field of educational psychology this will often involve determining possible pre-accident levels of education; present cognitive potential and current scholastic / academic progress abilities; ascertaining the possibility of future training or tertiary education for an individual who has been involved in a motor vehicle accident; and evaluating how the accident under consideration may have influenced an individual’s future options / cognitive functioning negatively. Such assessments are not limited to individuals who have been in accidents themselves, but also include assessments in determining educational potential; evaluating the possibility of future training or tertiary education; and ascertaining how the accident under consideration may have influenced an individual in a Loss of Support claim. Psychologists perform Forensic Psychological (Psycho-Legal or Medico-Legal) Assessments of clients. This is usually at the request of an attorney or other third party. Assessments and Reports are frequently included as expert evidence in a range of cases including: Personal Injury Medical Negligence Child and Family Law
