Explore the range of psychological services I offer, from individual therapy and psychoeducational assessments to subject choice and career guidance. Each service is thoughtfully tailored to support individual needs, circumstances and goals.
Educational psychologists support psychological wellbeing and development across the lifespan. Therapy may involve addressing emotional or mental health difficulties, navigating relationships and life transitions, developing a stronger understanding of oneself, or finding more helpful ways of moving forward in different areas of life.
I offer individual therapy to individuals aged 16 and older, through to adulthood. My approach is person-centred, warm and collaborative, while drawing from different therapeutic approaches according to the needs of each person.
Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental space in which difficulties can be explored with curiosity and compassion. Together, we can work towards greater self-understanding, emotional wellbeing and meaningful personal growth.
The practice operates on a cash basis, meaning clients pay the practice directly and submit claims to their medical scheme for reimbursement, where applicable.
Where a client has an existing and approved Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB), sessions may be claimed against that benefit, subject to the rules and authorisation requirements of the client's medical scheme.
Where clinically appropriate, I may also recommend or assist with an application for PMB funding. Approval and reimbursement remain at the discretion of the medical scheme.
If you would like more information about fees for a specific assessment or service, you are welcome to email info@cathrynebaird.com or get in touch via WhatsApp on 067 473 1782 . I'll be happy to provide further details.
For more information about medical aid and PMBs, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or read more on the Discovery Health website .
I offer comprehensive psychoeducational assessments for children from Grade 1 through to adulthood. The purpose of an assessment is not simply to generate scores or identify areas of difficulty. It is to develop a meaningful understanding of the individual's functioning, recognise their strengths and vulnerabilities, and use this information to guide appropriate support.
Each assessment battery is individually tailored. The measures selected depend on the person's age, developmental and educational history, presenting concerns, current curriculum and the questions the assessment is intended to answer.
Consideration is given to the requirements of different educational systems, including CAPS, IEB and Cambridge curricula. Current assessment instruments are used, together with information gathered from relevant contextual sources.
Depending on the reason for referral, an assessment may explore the following areas of functioning:
The findings are integrated to support informed and practical decision-making. Recommendations are tailored to the individual and may include therapeutic, educational, medical or allied-health support, depending on the assessment findings.
Where indicated, recommendations may also include appropriate educational accommodations or concessions to support the individual's learning and development.
Choosing subjects for Grade 10 can feel like an enormous decision. Although it deserves careful consideration, the process should be approached in a way that is supportive, validating and appropriate to the young person's stage of development.
Many teenagers feel overwhelmed when asked what interests them or what they would like to do after school. These questions may sound simple, but they require a level of self-exploration that can feel daunting while the young person is already managing the academic, social and personal demands of adolescence.
Often, it is not only the subject choice itself that feels overwhelming, but the expectation that they should already know who they are and where they are going.
A subject choice assessment provides a structured opportunity to explore aptitude, interests, personality, learning preferences and ways of working. This information is considered alongside the learner's current academic functioning, possible tertiary pathways and the requirements associated with different subjects.
There is seldom one perfect or correct choice. The aim is to make an informed decision that keeps appropriate possibilities open while remaining realistic and personally meaningful.
My role is to provide high-quality information and translate it into clear, practical guidance for the learner and their family.
Whether a learner already has ideas they would like to explore and confirm, or feels entirely uncertain about where to begin, a subject choice assessment can provide direction and reassurance.
Career development is no longer understood as the selection of one occupation that will necessarily remain unchanged throughout a person's life. In a rapidly changing world, careers are increasingly dynamic and adaptable, evolving alongside our personal development, circumstances, skills and interests.
The world of work continues to be reshaped by technological advances, emerging industries, economic conditions and broader social change. At the same time, individuals grow, acquire new strengths, reconsider their priorities and encounter opportunities they may not previously have imagined.
Career development is therefore best understood as an ongoing process of exploration, reflection and informed decision-making.
A career assessment offers an in-depth exploration of aptitude, interests, personality, learning preferences and ways of working. These areas are considered together rather than in isolation, allowing me to identify meaningful patterns, possible areas of fit and questions requiring further exploration.
The aim is not to prescribe a single career or provide a fixed answer. Instead, the process offers quality information that can help the individual understand themselves more clearly, evaluate possibilities thoughtfully and make decisions that are both practical and personally meaningful.
Following the assessment and feedback session, the individual receives a detailed, user-friendly career exploration addendum. This includes current information, relevant links, videos and practical avenues for further investigation.
The addendum provides a clear starting point from which to continue exploring study and career possibilities, allowing individuals to make informed decisions as their interests, circumstances and goals develop.
Starting high school can be a big adjustment, not only for teenagers, but for their parents too. New friendships, increased academic demands, changing emotions and a growing need for independence can leave parents wondering how best to support their child.
I've collaborated with Parenting The Teen Tribe to create The Grade 8 Storm: A Parent's Guide, an online course designed to help parents better understand what their children are experiencing during Grade 8.
Drawing on my experience as an educational psychologist, the course explores the changes teenagers go through, the pressures they face and how parents can support them while maintaining a strong, connected relationship.
Three recorded online sessions that you can watch in your own time, covering adolescent development, friendships, social pressures, boundaries, emotional wellbeing and practical ways to support your teenager.
Each person's needs and circumstances are different, and the appropriate service will depend on the reason for seeking support.
If you're unsure whether therapy or an assessment would be most suitable, you're welcome to get in touch to discuss your enquiry.
Whether you're seeking therapeutic support, exploring an assessment or simply have a question about the services offered, you're welcome to get in touch.