Educational Psychologists In South Africa

Find Help’s dedicated educational psychologists can assist students with:

• Learning difficulties
• Anxiety
• Problems concentrating
  
• Dyslexia
• Behavioural issues / getting into trouble at school
  
• Poor self esteem
• Lack of motivation at school
• Bullying
• Emotional problems

We have caring and experienced educational psychologists in Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as educational therapists in Cape Town and Durban.

Educational psychology: what is it?

Educational psychology is the scientific study of human learning. Educational psychologists aim to understand the learning process from early childhood to adolescence as well as the social, emotional, and cognitive processes of learning throughout development.

Educational psychology draws on a number of other disciplines, including developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and cognitive psychology. At Find Help, we aim to make finding the right educational psychologist for your child or teenager simple.

What educational psychologists do

Educational psychologists provide services to students of all ages who are experiencing learning problems. Educational psychologists treat specific disabilities that affect learning, behaviour, emotional, social and family functioning. They also assist with career guidance and counseling.

Educational psychologists also frequently work with teachers, school guidance counsellors and administration staff to help them better address the needs of students with learning challenges, or who may simply need concepts explained in a different way. They may work with a range of schools, assisting government bodies with facilitating the developmental needs of all their students.

Whether you're a school principal or teacher, or a concerned parent or guardian, Find Help is here to help you find the support your learner needs.

Key components of educational psychology

There are five main schools of thought in the field of educational therapy: * Behaviorism * Cognitivism * Constructivism * Experientialism, and * Social contextual learning theories

All the educational psychologists listed here on Find Help have studied all these approaches in depth, and are armed with a wide range of tools and skills to assist with educational difficulties.

Who should consider an educational psychologist?

As a parent or teacher, you may be uncertain whether a child’s poor performance at school is related to an underlying medical condition such as ADHD, or a psychological or emotional problem. This is where the services of an educational psychologist can be invaluable.

You should also consider educational psychology if your child: * Shows a sudden or unexplained drop in marks * Is experiencing difficulties in several school subjects * Has problems staying focused on lessons or studying * Suffers from a learning or intellectual disability * Is battling with career and subject choice decisions * Is working hard without showing much improvement * Has lost interest in school or academic achievement

Remember that many of Find Help’s therapists have experience across a range of therapies, and will almost certainly be able to refer you to another suitable therapist if they feel a different approach is required. We provide educational psychologists in Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Johannesburg and across the country.

The benefits of using an educational psychologist

First and foremost, seeing any professional is an important first step in resolving the learner’s challenges. The nature of schoolwork means that the longer intervention is delayed, the more behind the student falls with their work, and the harder it is for them to catch up.

Aside from helping learners themselves, educational psychologists also give teachers and families the tools they need to support the learner. The educational psychologists listed here at Find Help place a special emphasis on developing solution-focused thinking, so learners can ultimately overcome challenges themselves.

Tips for choosing the right educational psychologist for you

Firstly, take a look at some of the exceptional educational psychologists available right here at Find Help. You’ll easily be able to identify those therapists whose special interests align best with the needs of your learner. For instance, some of our highly qualified educational psychologists in South Africa specialize in adolescent issues, while some may focus on career guidance, school readiness or learning difficulties.

Ideally, you should seek the input of the student when several options are available. The learner may feel more comfortable working with a male or female therapist, for example. Remember also that many of our psychologists can conduct online sessions, should you or your child feel drawn to a particular person.

Other types of psychologists to consider

Educational psychology isn't the right fit for every situation, especially when there are familial, home life, substance abuse or relationship problems which are the actual underlying cause of poor academic performance.

Other forms of therapy which might be helpful to school going children, adolescents, young adults, university students and their parents and facilitators include:

• Social workers
• Psychiatrists
• Counselling Psychologists
• Registered Counsellors
• Clinical Psychologists

Should they feel it necessary, your educational psychologist will refer you on to a specialist who is better able to assist with a particular issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together a list of questions to help you find out whether an educational psychologist is what you’re looking for.

Where are Find Help’s educational psychologists located?

We have qualified and experienced educational counsellors situated across the country, including:

• Educational psychologists in Durban
• Educational psychologists in Johannesburg
• Educational psychologists in Pretoria
• Educational psychologists in Cape Town

Need an educational psychologist near you? You’ll find them right here!

What are the sessions like?

Your potential educational psychologist will give you an idea of what to expect during your initial session or consultation. All Find Help’s educational psychologists are experienced at putting their patients at ease, and making them feel comfortable and relaxed!

Is information I share confidential?

Absolutely. When children under the age of 14 are involved, our educational psychologists will discuss the child’s right to confidentiality and any legal limits applicable with the parent or legal guardian.

How long are the sessions?

Standard sessions average around 45 minutes, but therapists may allocate different lengths for younger and older patients.

Can your educational psychologists conduct online sessions?

Many of our educational psychologists are happy to conduct online sessions, especially where distance is a problem. Most of our educational therapists are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban, but several are located outside of city centres as well.

Are all of your educational psychologists registered and qualified?

Yes. All Find Help’s educational psychologists hold Master’s Degrees in Educational Psychology and are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

If you have any more questions about our educational psychologists, please get in touch with us - we would be more than happy to assist.