My academic and professional trajectory began at the University of the Free State, completing a B.A. (1981), Higher Education Diploma (1982), B.Ed in Psychology (1987), and an M.Ed in Psychology (1991). In 1994, I completed my Ph.D. in Child Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch. Teaching in school classrooms early in my career provided an invaluable grounding—experiencing first-hand how educational systems and classroom environments shape a child's confidence and development.
Educational psychology in South Africa is a statutory profession registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The defined scope of practice includes identifying developmental barriers, diagnosing learning difficulties, providing therapeutic interventions, and delivering expert guidance within school, judicial, and international tele-health contexts.
A major focus of my practice includes collaboration with the legal system. I serve as an independent assistant to the Office of the Family Advocate and the Children's Court, regularly conducting evaluations alongside social workers, attorneys, and family advocates. In high-stakes disputes regarding care, contact, and custody, psychological evidence must be evidence-based, impartial, and defensible, while prioritizing the psychological wellbeing of the child.
"Every child is doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Our work is to help them—and the adults around them—expand those resources."
