All services are offered in English and Afrikaans. Medical aid claims are accepted (plan-dependent). Please contact me to enquire about fees or to make an appointment.
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play, the natural language of children, to help them express feelings, process experiences and develop coping skills. Play therapy may provide a safe space for a child to express emotions, work through difficult experiences, develop problem-solving skills, as well as build confidence and resilience. It may reduce a child's anxiety, since it takes place in a safe play-based environment where the child feels in control. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years may benefit from play therapy.
Child psychotherapy is a form of psychological treatment specifically designed for children and adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioural or developmental difficulties. It involves therapeutic interventions delivered by a mental health professional to help a child understand, express and manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a safe and supportive environment. It is adapted to use different techniques that suit the child's age and development, to support communication, often using play, art and storytelling.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) refers to incorporating a trained animal, in my case, my dog, into therapeutic settings to support children with emotional, physical and/or psychological challenges. The presence of animals may motivate participation, improve mood, reduce anxiety and support a child to feel accepted. AAT is incorporated into play therapy and psychotherapy sessions, and involves goal-directed activities in which the therapy dog is actively part of the session. Safety of both the therapy dog and child is important, as well as building positive attachments and relationships, while having fun. I have completed both my masters and doctoral research studies in educational psychology, focusing on incorporating animal-assisted therapy.
Brain Working Recursive Therapy is a modern neuroscience-based approach that helps rewrite maladaptive responses to anxiety, phobias, trauma and unwanted behaviours - without needing to disclose distressing details.
BWRT® was developed by Terence Watts in 2011 and is based on principles of neuroscience. It addresses psychological difficulties by intervening in the brain's automatic response patterns before they reach conscious awareness. Clients do not need to disclose the specific content of distressing experiences.
Parental guidance is aimed at supporting parents to understand their child's needs. Sessions will be aimed specifically at what the parents and child need, while offering strategies to support the parents, child, as well as improving the relationship between the child and the parent.
A psycho-educational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by an educational psychologist to understand a child's cognitive and academic functioning. The assessment aims to identify areas of strength in the child's performance, as well as areas requiring support and/or possible learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD). Areas that will be assessed include a cognitive assessment, scholastic skills, as well as auditory processing. The child's ability to concentrate may also be assessed, if required.
An assessment to determine concessions and accommodations is a formal evaluation process (as described under 'psycho-educational assessments') to identify specific barriers or challenges experienced by a child. This assessment provides evidence-based recommendations regarding appropriate support measures. These may include extra time during examinations, the use of assistive technology, adapted learning materials or alternative formats for assessments. The purpose is to ensure equitable access to education and enable the child to demonstrate their abilities without being disadvantaged by the challenges they experience.
A school readiness assessment is a structured evaluation used to determine whether a child has developed the necessary skills and abilities to cope with the demands of formal schooling. This assessment typically examines various areas, including cognitive abilities, language proficiency, fine and gross motor skills, emotional and social development, as well as basic numeracy and literacy concepts. The main aim is to identify strengths and areas where additional support may be needed, ensuring that each child is provided with the best possible foundation for a successful transition into Grade 1.
An assessment to determine the Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory (MBTI) is a structured questionnaire designed to evaluate an individual's psychological preferences in how they perceive the world and make decisions. The process involves answering a series of questions relating to personal attitudes, behaviours and choices. Based on the responses, the assessment assigns a personality type according to the MBTI framework, which categorises people into sixteen distinct types. This tool is commonly used in South Africa for providing insight into communication styles, strengths and areas for growth.
Suné offers workshops for schools, educators and parent groups on topics related to child development, emotional wellbeing and educational psychology. Please contact me to enquire about availability and topics.