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| Leatia's Psychological Services Call 011 888 1110 or email info@jmdpsych.com to book an appointment |
Children often struggle with the same difficulties as adults, though their expression thereof may differ vastly. Effective coping
strategies have not yet been set in place, possibly leaving the child with feelings of frustration and helplessness. Children
experiences. Children frequently resort to acting out in an attempt to deal with these experiences, and may become aggressive,
depressed, anxious and withdrawn, to name but a few. By means of specialised techniques, play therapy aims to tap into the
child’s world, and communicate on their level. Each child has a unique process, and differs in their presentation of their
experiences. Thus, each session is focused on the individual child and their distinctive struggles. It is considered crucial to
involve parents and/ or significant role players, in order to best assist the child. In order to contribute to the child’s progress,
certain implementations be the governing principle of therapy at all times.
Psychological Services for Parents of Adolescents / Teenagers
Adolescence is a phase of transition, coupled with the struggle between autonomy and dependence. A process of individuation
ensues, which can be a difficult time for the adolescent and their families, possibly resulting in problematic communication. This
process is of great importance, and enables the adolescent to function in the world as an independent person. They often feel
misunderstood, and tend to seek refuge with like-minded peers. Thus, the level of closeness now moves away from his or her
familial system, and moves toward social interactions and the establishment of meaningful relationships within this realm. The
teenager may now be confronted with peer pressure, and decision making may be strongly influenced by their friends’ opinions.
Exploration and individualised expression is essential during this period, though the chosen strategy to do so might prove to be
detrimental. This momentous developmental phase is often associated with dramatic changes, and the facilitation thereof might
prove to be beneficial for all significant role players.
Psychological Services for Adolescents / Teenagers
As a teenager you are faced with so many struggles. There are numerous challenges that you are confronted with, such as family
issues, relationships problems, drugs, alcohol, sexuality, school, and future career options, to name but a few. You might feel
misunderstood, as if only your friends can possibly understand what you are going through. Peer pressure is a harsh reality, and
very difficult to deal with. Social acceptance is your main priority, as this determines your sense of belonging, and might influence
you to do things you wouldn’t normally do. You might be experiencing a variety of emotions, and may be having thoughts that you
feel unable to share with others. Circumstances at home may change, and it might feel as though your parents don’t understand
you at all. The gap between you and your family might seem overwhelming, as nothing you say seems to make sense to them.
You may be in need of a space where you can be yourself, where you can say what you think and feel without being judged.
Psychological Assessment Services for School Children
Many children find it difficult to concentrate optimally, and may present with a variety of learning difficulties. Psycho-educational
assessments aid the decision making progress regarding school placement, as some children might need more specialised
attention within smaller classrooms. Individualised attention might prove to be beneficial, with various forms of therapy being
incorporated. Children are faced with diverse struggles, which might call for occupational, speech and language, as well as
remedial therapy. The assessment provides indicators as to the necessity of the aforementioned, and the parents and/or legal
guardians are provided with guidance in this regard. Succeeding the assessment, a thorough feedback session is conducted in
order to aid the parents in their understanding of their child’s level of functioning. A written report is optional, and is provided for
the parents’ perusal in their own time. This is considered to be beneficial, as the amount of information discussed is more often
than not overwhelming. Recommendations are made regarding future actions and/or placements to better suit the child’s
individual needs. The assessment battery includes an IQ assessment, as well as emotional measures. All aspects of
functioning is taken into consideration, which includes birth details, developmental concerns, diagnosis (if any), medication,
family circumstances, scholastic functioning, and therapy that the child has been attending (including occupational, speech and
language, and play therapy). The aim is to improve the child’s quality of life by taking all aspects into consideration, and liaising
with significant
role players.
Psychological Services for Substance Abusers / Alcoholics
There are many factors that contribute to not only the development of addiction, but also the maintenance thereof. It affects all
areas of one’s life, and can become a person’s single most important obsession. This is very hard for families, spouses and
parents to understand, and loved ones also suffer together with the person struggling to deal with the addiction. It can provide
them with a sense of escape, and living without it seems impossible. Therapy focuses on self-discovery, and understanding the
emotional and mental function of substance abuse. Sessions can either be on an individual basis, or can include couples and
families in order to create a holistic understanding within the client as to the family’s function within and around addiction. Group
sessions aim to provide clients with a space where they can express themselves without judgment, where others understand
what they are going through. Parents often blame themselves when their children become addicted, leaving them with a sense
of despair. Warning signs are overlooked, often because parents and teachers do not know what to look for. Informational
workshops for parents and teachers aim to educate regarding warning signs as it relates to a drug user’s behaviour, as well as
drug paraphernalia to be on the look-out for.
Psychological Services for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
After a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse, most people feel scared and unprepared, not knowing what to do and who to
go to. When the decision has been made to lay charges, the process often seems daunting, and there is limited communication
with the family as to the proceedings. This is a traumatic time, during which it is important to be prepared when the time comes to
testify. You may need some guidance as to who to contact, and which steps to follow. I work as part of a multi-disciplinary team,
consisting out of volunteers, psychologists, social workers, FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit) and
prosecutors, in order to assist the client in the best possible way.
strategies have not yet been set in place, possibly leaving the child with feelings of frustration and helplessness. Children
experiences. Children frequently resort to acting out in an attempt to deal with these experiences, and may become aggressive,
depressed, anxious and withdrawn, to name but a few. By means of specialised techniques, play therapy aims to tap into the
child’s world, and communicate on their level. Each child has a unique process, and differs in their presentation of their
experiences. Thus, each session is focused on the individual child and their distinctive struggles. It is considered crucial to
involve parents and/ or significant role players, in order to best assist the child. In order to contribute to the child’s progress,
certain implementations be the governing principle of therapy at all times.
Psychological Services for Parents of Adolescents / Teenagers
Adolescence is a phase of transition, coupled with the struggle between autonomy and dependence. A process of individuation
ensues, which can be a difficult time for the adolescent and their families, possibly resulting in problematic communication. This
process is of great importance, and enables the adolescent to function in the world as an independent person. They often feel
misunderstood, and tend to seek refuge with like-minded peers. Thus, the level of closeness now moves away from his or her
familial system, and moves toward social interactions and the establishment of meaningful relationships within this realm. The
teenager may now be confronted with peer pressure, and decision making may be strongly influenced by their friends’ opinions.
Exploration and individualised expression is essential during this period, though the chosen strategy to do so might prove to be
detrimental. This momentous developmental phase is often associated with dramatic changes, and the facilitation thereof might
prove to be beneficial for all significant role players.
Psychological Services for Adolescents / Teenagers
As a teenager you are faced with so many struggles. There are numerous challenges that you are confronted with, such as family
issues, relationships problems, drugs, alcohol, sexuality, school, and future career options, to name but a few. You might feel
misunderstood, as if only your friends can possibly understand what you are going through. Peer pressure is a harsh reality, and
very difficult to deal with. Social acceptance is your main priority, as this determines your sense of belonging, and might influence
you to do things you wouldn’t normally do. You might be experiencing a variety of emotions, and may be having thoughts that you
feel unable to share with others. Circumstances at home may change, and it might feel as though your parents don’t understand
you at all. The gap between you and your family might seem overwhelming, as nothing you say seems to make sense to them.
You may be in need of a space where you can be yourself, where you can say what you think and feel without being judged.
Psychological Assessment Services for School Children
Many children find it difficult to concentrate optimally, and may present with a variety of learning difficulties. Psycho-educational
assessments aid the decision making progress regarding school placement, as some children might need more specialised
attention within smaller classrooms. Individualised attention might prove to be beneficial, with various forms of therapy being
incorporated. Children are faced with diverse struggles, which might call for occupational, speech and language, as well as
remedial therapy. The assessment provides indicators as to the necessity of the aforementioned, and the parents and/or legal
guardians are provided with guidance in this regard. Succeeding the assessment, a thorough feedback session is conducted in
order to aid the parents in their understanding of their child’s level of functioning. A written report is optional, and is provided for
the parents’ perusal in their own time. This is considered to be beneficial, as the amount of information discussed is more often
than not overwhelming. Recommendations are made regarding future actions and/or placements to better suit the child’s
individual needs. The assessment battery includes an IQ assessment, as well as emotional measures. All aspects of
functioning is taken into consideration, which includes birth details, developmental concerns, diagnosis (if any), medication,
family circumstances, scholastic functioning, and therapy that the child has been attending (including occupational, speech and
language, and play therapy). The aim is to improve the child’s quality of life by taking all aspects into consideration, and liaising
with significant
role players.
Psychological Services for Substance Abusers / Alcoholics
There are many factors that contribute to not only the development of addiction, but also the maintenance thereof. It affects all
areas of one’s life, and can become a person’s single most important obsession. This is very hard for families, spouses and
parents to understand, and loved ones also suffer together with the person struggling to deal with the addiction. It can provide
them with a sense of escape, and living without it seems impossible. Therapy focuses on self-discovery, and understanding the
emotional and mental function of substance abuse. Sessions can either be on an individual basis, or can include couples and
families in order to create a holistic understanding within the client as to the family’s function within and around addiction. Group
sessions aim to provide clients with a space where they can express themselves without judgment, where others understand
what they are going through. Parents often blame themselves when their children become addicted, leaving them with a sense
of despair. Warning signs are overlooked, often because parents and teachers do not know what to look for. Informational
workshops for parents and teachers aim to educate regarding warning signs as it relates to a drug user’s behaviour, as well as
drug paraphernalia to be on the look-out for.
Psychological Services for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
After a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse, most people feel scared and unprepared, not knowing what to do and who to
go to. When the decision has been made to lay charges, the process often seems daunting, and there is limited communication
with the family as to the proceedings. This is a traumatic time, during which it is important to be prepared when the time comes to
testify. You may need some guidance as to who to contact, and which steps to follow. I work as part of a multi-disciplinary team,
consisting out of volunteers, psychologists, social workers, FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit) and
prosecutors, in order to assist the client in the best possible way.
