MERICE DELPORT
Merice Delport is a dedicated Educational Psychologist with a deep appreciation for the complex and interconnected nature of human development and learning. Her approach is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves respectful, holistic support that honours their unique context and strengths.
As a bilingual practitioner, Merice provides services in both English and Afrikaans. She offers a range of interventions, including:
• Psychotherapy
• Play therapy
• Psychoeducational assessments
• Subject choice and career assessments
• Parental guidance and workshops
Merice adopts an integrated, systems-based therapeutic approach grounded in client-centred principles. She is committed to tailoring each intervention to the individual needs of her clients, considering their personal context, relationships, strengths, and challenges. Believing there is no one-size-fits-all solution, Merice draws on multiple modalities to design meaningful and effective support plans.
Her academic journey began in 2014 with a B.Ed degree from the University of the Free State, followed by a BA Honours in Psychology through UNISA. She then completed a B.Ed Honours in Educational Psychology (Cum Laude) in 2020 and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology (Cum Laude) in 2022. In 2024, she embarked on her PhD journey.
With four years of teaching experience in both public and private schools, Merice has been actively involved in school-based support teams. During her Master’s studies, she continued supporting learners and educators within the school environment. Her internship year offered diverse experiences across settings, including work with primary school children at a remedial school and with adolescents and young adults in a supported mainstream high school.
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.