I’ve often seen these sorts of lists. But they never seem to have research backing them up. I thought to myself: let’s do the research and see what the science says. As a psychologist with a science background, I love some good old research or science. This will be the first part in a series […]
Category: Uncategorized
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, […]
Dark Days and Depression
The beginning of the change in season got me thinking about depression. I’ll explain why after first describing a bit more about depression. Depression is one of the most prevalent conditions in today’s society. Globally, the WHO estimates 5% of adults experience depression. What is Depression? In everyday language we may use the term ‘depression’ […]
Do I Need Therapy?
‘Do I need therapy?’. This is a question I hear daily. I think it it’s one of the most important topics to discuss. Today I will speak about when to go to therapy and get some help. We, as humans, are very good at convincing ourselves about things. I often hear people say something like: […]
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 […]
Too Much Going On
We are a few months into 2025 and so much has already happened. We have seen headlines about the GNU, loadshedding, water problems, flooding, potholes, crime, finances, etc. Internationally, there are wars and trade wars. The news is designed to catch our attention. However, the result of this can be anxiety! We all probably know […]
Burnout
What Is Burnout? Our workplace can be a source of much support or stress. They can be nurturing environments, and can also be toxic environments. The WHO describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon consisting of feelings of depletion or exhaustion; increase in mental distance; and reduced professional efficacy. Other definitions of burnout involve prolonged and […]
Building Bonds: The Importance of Early Bonding for Emotional Development
The bond between a parent and their baby is one of the most influential connections we experience in life. From the moment your baby is born, they rely on you not just for physical care but for emotional security. While bonding happens naturally for some, others may find it takes to develop this deep connection […]
