She was always the “easy” one.Quiet, polite. A teacher’s dream.She remembered to raise her hand, didn’t fidget too much, smiled when spoken to, and tried not to make anyone uncomfortable. On the outside, she was thriving.Inside, she was exhausted. For many neurodivergent people, the ability to “pass” as okay comes at a cost that others […]
Jenna Fernandes
“Is It Okay If I Don’t Know What to Talk About in Therapy?”
It’s a question that comes up more often than you might think. It’s a thought that comes quietly, hesitantly, and sometimes with a tinge of guilt: “Is it okay if I don’t know what to talk about today?” The short answer? Yes. Absolutely. Therapy isn’t a performance. You don’t need to come in each week […]
Why Am I So Tired All the Time? Emotional Fatigue in Daily Life
It’s a question that drifts into therapy rooms and lingers in late-night thoughts:“Why am I so tired all the time?” Not just “I didn’t get enough sleep” tired. But a deeper, heavier tired – one that no amount of caffeine or early nights seems to fix. And yes, sometimes it is physical. Low iron. Thyroid […]
Is My Child Being Bullied? Sings to Look For and What Parents Can Do
Bullying is often thought of as playground teasing or rough playtime conflicts, but it can take many forms. Some forms are overt, while others are much more subtle. Whether it happens in person or online, bullying can deeply affect a child or teen’s sense of self, safety, and belonging. As caregivers, we want to protect […]
Therapy for Children Under 5: Why It’s About the Whole Family
When a parent is told that their toddler or preschooler might benefit from therapy, the first reaction can sometimes be confusion or uncertainty. You might wonder: “They’re so young. What would therapy even look like?” or maybe more quietly: “Does this mean I’ve done something wrong?”. Many parents may also ask whether therapy is even […]
The Myth of the Breakthrough Moment in Therapy: Why Real Healing Often Looks Different
When people imagine therapy, they often picture a powerful, tear-filled moment, you know, the kind where everything suddenly makes sense. A buried memory resurfaces. A painful truth is spoken. A lightbulb goes off, and from that point on, things change. These kinds of moments do happen sometimes. But they’re not the norm, and they’re certainly […]
Is My Child Ready for School? Understanding School Readiness Assessments
Starting “big school” is a major milestone in a child’s life and in the life of every parent or caregiver. But how do we know if a child is truly ready for school? School readiness is about more than just knowing the ABCs or being able to count to ten. It’s a blend of cognitive, emotional, social, […]
How to Help Your Child Cope with Exams: A Gentle Parent’s Guide
As exam season rolls in, it can be hard to know exactly how to help your child. You want to encourage them, reduce their stress, and make sure they’re doing their best, but without pushing too hard or walking on eggshells. So how do you find the balance? Well, the truth is, your presence, patience, […]
Understanding Psycho-Educational Assessments: A Window into Your Child’s Learning
In South Africa’s richly diverse and complicated educational landscape, many children face barriers to learning that go beyond what is visible in the classroom. Whether it’s inconsistent schooling, language challenges, emotional distress, or unidentified learning difficulties, it can be hard for parents and teachers to know where to begin when a child seems to be […]
Prescribed Minimum Benefits: The Full Picture
When we think about healthcare, mental health is often overlooked or not taken seriously, yet it is just as important as our physical well-being. For many people in South Africa, the cost of ongoing mental health treatment, whether that’s therapy, medication or hospital care, can be a barrier to getting much needed support. This is […]