Psycho-educational assessments
A psycho-educational assessment brings together information from the child, family, school and relevant professionals to develop a clearer understanding of learning, development, attention, emotional wellbeing and support needs.
The process is tailored to the referral question and may explore cognitive and academic functioning, attention and organisation, visual-motor development, emotional factors and possible learning or neurodevelopmental differences.
Findings are discussed in a parent feedback consultation and translated into practical recommendations for home and school. Consultation with teachers or other professionals may also form part of the process where appropriate.
Where a specialised or multidisciplinary assessment is required, an appropriate referral may be recommended.
An assessment may be helpful where there are concerns about:
- Reading, spelling, writing or mathematics
- Attention, concentration or organisation
- A gap between effort and academic performance
- School anxiety or emotional distress
- Learning or developmental differences
- School support or assessment accommodations for WCED, IEB or tertiary institutions
- Giftedness or an uneven learning profile
- Subject, study or career planning
Child-centred play therapy
Play offers children a natural and developmentally appropriate way to communicate, express feelings and explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
Within a warm, consistent and appropriately boundaried therapeutic relationship, the child is given space to lead the play. The process is adapted to their developmental, communication and sensory needs.
Parent consultations form an important part of the process, while respecting the privacy of the child’s therapeutic relationship.
Play therapy may support children experiencing:
- Anxiety or emotional overwhelm
- Family changes, loss or adjustment
- Behavioural or relational concerns
- Low confidence
- Separation difficulties
- Peer or school-related concerns
- Feelings that are difficult to express verbally
Support for adolescents and young adults
I support adolescents and young adults with school, tertiary study and learning-related concerns.
Sessions are tailored to the individual and may include conversation, structured activities, practical planning and collaborative problem-solving.
This may include support for:
- School avoidance
- Academic stress or emotional overwhelm linked to educational demands
- Time management and organisation
- Study skills and learning routines
- Adjusting to tertiary education
- Understanding neurodivergent strengths and support needs
Parent guidance
Parent consultations offer a space to think together about a child’s behaviour, emotions, development and support needs.
The focus is on developing a clearer understanding of what may be happening and identifying practical, relationship-based ways of responding.
Parent guidance may be offered as a stand-alone service or alongside a child’s assessment or therapy.
Parent guidance may be helpful for:
- Emotional regulation and big feelings
- Tantrums or behavioural concerns
- Anxiety or school-related stress
- Boundaries and limit-setting
- Family changes
- Understanding neurodevelopmental needs
- Strengthening the connection with a child
- Supporting a child alongside therapy or assessment
School consultation and support
Consultation with teachers and school support teams helps bring together information about how a learner functions within the classroom, peer group and wider school environment.
Recommendations are considered within the realities of the classroom so that support remains practical, proportionate and responsive to the learner’s needs.
Support may include:
- Teacher consultation and assessment feedback
- Individualised support planning
- Practical classroom strategies
- Consideration of accommodations
- Support around academic, emotional or behavioural concerns
- Understanding neurodiversity within the school context
- Collaboration with school support teams and other professionals
Career and subject-choice guidance
Career and subject-choice guidance helps adolescents and school leavers explore their interests, strengths, values, abilities and possible future pathways.
The process may include structured assessment activities, discussion and guided reflection. The aim is not to prescribe one ideal career, but to support informed and personally meaningful decisions.
It may be helpful for:
- Selecting school subjects
- Considering tertiary study
- Exploring vocational or alternative training pathways
- Young people who feel uncertain about their direction
Workshops and group interventions
I offer psycho-educational workshops, training and group interventions for children, adolescents, parents, educators and schools.
Workshops and groups can be adapted to the age, setting and needs of participants.
Online workshops and training are in development.
Previous workshop topics:
- Digital literacy and device management
- Emotional and sensory regulation
- School discipline and behavioural support
- Autism and ADHD within the school context
- Neurodiversity and inclusive classroom practice
Groups for children and young people:
- Body development, boundaries and sex education
- Study methods
- Stress and time management
- Social and behavioural skills
- Inclusion and neurodiversity awareness