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JESSICA SIMIGIANIS
Jessica Simigianis is a dedicated Educational Psychologist with a deep appreciation for the complex and interconnected nature of learning, emotional well-being, and development. Her approach is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves holistic, compassionate support that honours their unique context, strengths, and relationships.
Jessica works with children, adolescents, families, and individuals, and offers a range of interventions, including:
• Psychotherapy
• Play therapy
• Psychoeducational assessments
• Subject choice and career assessments
• Parental guidance and workshops
Jessica adopts an integrated, systems-based therapeutic approach grounded in client-centred principles. She is committed to understanding each client as a whole person and tailoring every intervention to their individual needs and circumstances. Believing there is no one-size-fits-all solution, Jessica draws on multiple therapeutic and psychological approaches to design meaningful, practical, and supportive intervention plans.
Her academic journey began with a B.Ed. in Further Education and Training (FET) at the University of Pretoria, followed by a B.Ed. Honours in Educational Psychology, also through the University of Pretoria. She then completed her Master's degree in Educational Psychology (M.Ed.).
Jessica's professional experience spans a variety of educational and psychological settings, including teaching, school-based psychological support, and private practice. Her time within the school environment has given her valuable insight into the educational system and the needs of learners, educators, and families, while her work in private practice has enabled her to provide individualised psychological assessment, intervention, and support.
SAFEERA HAFFEJEE
Safeera Haffejee is a qualified Educational Psychologist guided by a deep belief in the power of support to foster individual growth and protect mental well-being. With a strong commitment to positive outcomes, she works collaboratively with parents, educators, and children to create a nurturing, holistic environment built on trust, honesty, and respect.
Safeera is dedicated to helping clients embrace their strengths and overcome challenges. She draws inspiration from every opportunity to nurture a child’s unique potential and contribute meaningfully to their developmental journey.
As a qualified Educational Psychologist, Safeera takes a multifaceted therapeutic approach, tailoring her interventions to promote both emotional and academic growth. Her methods include Client-Centred Therapy (CCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), among others. She offers a range of services, including:
• Psychotherapy
• Play therapy
• Psycho-educational assessments
• Subject choice assessments
• Career guidance and assessments
Safeera began her academic journey in 2016 with a BA from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), followed by a BA Honours in Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (WITS). She completed her Master’s in Educational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2022. During her internship, she gained extensive experience across the IEB, NSC, and IB curricula, working with learners from pre-primary through to senior school.
Committed to ongoing professional development, Safeera remains up to date with the latest research and best practices in Educational Psychology. Her holistic, compassionate approach ensures that every client is supported to thrive, academically, emotionally, and socially.
OLLY O' MAHONY
Incorporating a therapy animal into my practice has long been a personal and professional goal. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is supported by growing research, showing that the presence of a therapy animal can significantly enhance the therapeutic experience—making sessions feel more natural, accessible, and less clinical, particularly for clients navigating emotionally difficult topics.
The presence of an animal can humanise the therapeutic environment, creating a sense of comfort and emotional safety that supports deeper engagement in the process. Studies have shown that Animal-Assisted Therapy can contribute to a range of physical and emotional benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health, reduced physical pain, decreased stress and anxiety, and elevated levels of endorphins.
MICHELLE SMITH
Michelle Smith is a registered Educational Psychologist who plays an integral role at Claire O’ Mahony Psychology Practice. While she is not currently in a client-facing role, Michelle supports the practice through comprehensive report writing and administrative coordination.
Michelle works closely with Claire to develop and facilitate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for psychologists entering private practice. Together, they co-create content that blends clinical insight with real-world application, bridging the gap between theory and practice for early-career professionals.
In addition, Michelle and Claire collaborate on the design of educational programmes and workshops for parents, offering practical, psychologically-informed guidance to help families navigate emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges with confidence.
With a strong foundation in assessment and therapeutic work, Michelle brings thoughtfulness, precision, and creativity to everything she does, contributing meaningfully to both the internal functioning of the practice and the broader professional community.