Supporting Children’s Emotional and Educational Development

 Younger children often express emotional or developmental challenges through their behaviour, rather than words. Play therapy offers a gentle, non-directive way for children to work through difficulties using the language they know best - play. Through this process, children are able to explore their feelings, build emotional resilience, and develop healthier ways of coping.

Play therapy can support children experiencing:

• Anxiety or difficulty adjusting to change
• Bullying, peer conflict, or social challenges
• Behavioural changes or emotional outbursts
• Parental divorce or separation
• Chronic illness or hospitalisation
• Grief, loss, or bereavement
• Trauma or abuse
• Sexualised behaviour
   

 Adolescence can be a challenging time, filled with emotional, social, and physical changes. As young people try to understand themselves and their place in the world, they may feel overwhelmed or unsure. Individual therapy offers a safe, supportive space for teens to explore their thoughts, build self-awareness, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Common concerns that therapy can help with include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Anger or emotional outbursts
• Identity and self-esteem struggles
• Bullying or social pressures
• Eating-related difficulties
• Parental divorce or family conflict
• Relationship and peer challenges
   

These sessions are designed to help children and adolescents better understand how they learn best. Each learner receives a personalised study skills programme aimed at building effective, healthy study habits. The approach is interactive and empowering, with a strong focus on shifting negative attitudes toward studying and promoting confidence in their academic abilities.

Skills taught and applied directly to schoolwork include:

• Organisation and time management
• Effective note-taking and study file use
• Study techniques tailored to individual learning styles
• Strategies for approaching tests and exams
• Managing performance anxiety

 Psycho-educational Assessments

A full psycho-educational assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of your child’s cognitive, emotional, and academic functioning. It helps identify strengths, barriers to learning, and areas that may require support or enrichment. Assessments include:

• Cognitive assessment
• Emotional assessment
• Academic evaluation (reading, spelling, comprehension, and mathematics age)

The final report offers practical recommendations for parents, teachers, and therapists to help your child reach their full potential, both at home and in the classroom.

School Readiness Assessments

Designed for Grade R learners preparing for formal schooling, this assessment identifies any developmental or learning delays that may impact school readiness. Ideally conducted mid-year, the results help guide early intervention or enrichment before entering Grade 1.

IEB, IB & GDE Accommodation Assessments

For learners requiring academic accommodations, a formal assessment is essential - especially in Grade 11 for use in Grade 12. These accommodations may include:

• Extra time (5, 10, or 15 minutes per hour)
• Reader or scribe
• Spelling concession
• Assistive technology
• Enlarged print
• Full amanuensis
   

We assess and support the application process for accommodations in line with IEB, IB, and GDE requirements.

University Accommodations

Students transitioning to university may continue to require academic support. Some may face new challenges and need updated assessments to apply for accommodations. Each university has specific criteria, please confirm their requirements before booking.

Career and Subject Choice Assessments

Ideal for learners in Grades 10–12 who are unsure about future study or career options. This assessment explores personality, interests, and aptitudes to guide informed career decisions. We can also provide referrals for job shadowing or mentorship in your chosen field.

 Across all services, we are committed to acting in the best interests of the child. We believe that meaningful progress is best achieved through collaboration with parents, caregivers, and schools. Parent involvement is a vital part of the therapeutic process, and we works closely with families to provide guidance, support, and practical strategies throughout the journey.

Common concerns addressed in parent consultations include:

• Behavioural challenges (e.g. acting out, clinginess)
• Managing anger and emotional outbursts
• Understanding and supporting your child with ADHD
• Navigating friendships and social development
• Strengthening family relationships (siblings, parents, teachers, caregivers)
• Preparing for transitions (e.g. new school, relocation, hospitalisation, new sibling)
• Effective discipline and boundary setting
• Supporting strong-willed or oppositional children
• Building self-esteem and emotional resilience
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Addressing regression (e.g. baby talk, bedwetting)
• Dealing with bullying - whether your child is being bullied, engaging in bullying, or facing cyberbullying/social media issues

A parenting plan is a legally constituted document provided for in the Children’s Act 2005 of South Africa. A parenting plan is an agreement between the co-holders of parental rights and responsibilities towards their child and at the best interest of their child/ren. The parenting plan becomes a legally binding document and regulations for both parents, once it has authorised by the Child’s Court of Family Advocate Register.

A parenting plan can be drawn up; 

• When a relationship has ended. However, it is recommended that it drawn up as part of a divorce settlement concerning the care, contact and maintenance of the child/ren. v When one or both parties/parents are experiencing difficulties in exercising their responsibilities and rights and request for a formal process to be implemented.
• When court ordered.
• When requested by both legal representatives dealing with parenting contracts or divorce.

In a South African context, psycho-legal assessments or investigations, may be conducted by psychologists registered with the HPCSA. Such investigations are administered to provide an expert opinion on a particular area of functioning. Examples of psycho-legal assessment include:

• Child Custody Evaluations 
• Sexual abuse allegation
• Care contact and residency
• Relocation

When requesting a psycho-legal evaluation, please email us directly to enquire about the process and contracts for psycho-legal investigations.