Nadia O Educational Psychologist, 24 Amatola Road, Centurion (2025)

18/11/2025

Play Therapy: Helping Children Heal Through Play
Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate therapeutic approach that allows children to express emotions, process difficult experiences, and develop healthier coping skills using the natural language of play. Many children struggle to verbalise their feelings directly, and play provides a safe and symbolic way for them to communicate, explore, and make sense of their world.
In Play Therapy, children engage with tools such as art, sand tray work, puppets, storytelling, and therapeutic games. These activities help them work through anxiety, behavioural challenges, trauma, school difficulties, and emotional overwhelm in a supportive and structured environment.
As an Educational Psychologist, I provide a warm and containing space where children can freely express themselves while building emotional regulation, confidence, social skills, and resilience. Each session is tailored to the child’s developmental level and specific needs.
If you are concerned about your child’s emotional well-being, behaviour, or adjustment to life changes, Play Therapy can be an effective and evidence-based intervention to support their growth.
For enquiries or bookings:
Nadia Omidosu – Educational Psychologist (PS 0160865)
082 619 2726 | www.NadiaOedpsych.co.za
24 Amatola Road, Doringkloof, Centurion

22/10/2025

🌟 Affirmations for Kids: Building Confidence from the Inside Out
What Are Affirmations?
Affirmations are short, positive statements that help children develop a healthy mindset, strong self-esteem, and emotional resilience. When repeated regularly, these words become inner beliefs—helping kids replace self-doubt or fear with confidence, courage, and optimism.
Examples include:
“I am loved.”
“I can do hard things.”
“I am smart and capable.”
Why Affirmations Matter
Children are constantly learning about themselves through experiences, relationships, and feedback from the world around them. Affirmations give them a voice of encouragement they can carry within—especially during challenges at school, social situations, or moments of frustration.
Positive self-talk supports:
Self-confidence: Reinforces their sense of worth and ability.
Emotional regulation: Helps them calm down and reframe negative thoughts.
Growth mindset: Encourages effort, persistence, and learning from mistakes.
Empathy and kindness: Fosters compassion for themselves and others.
The Science Behind It
Research in child psychology shows that affirmations activate the brain’s reward and motivation centres, promoting a “can-do” attitude. When practiced consistently, they shape neural pathways that influence how children think, feel, and behave.
In essence, repetition builds belief. The more often children hear and say positive statements, the more naturally they internalise them.
How to Use Affirmations with Kids
Start the day with positivity: Say affirmations together in the mirror each morning.
Make it fun: Use songs, drawings, or colourful posters to keep it engaging.
Model it: Let your child hear you using affirmations about yourself, too.
Be consistent: Repetition creates impact—just a minute or two daily is enough.
Link to real experiences: When your child shows kindness or perseverance, highlight it—“See? You really can do hard things!”
Examples of Powerful Affirmations for Kids
I am loved and valued.
I am brave and can try new things.
I can make good choices.
I am kind to myself and others.
I can learn from mistakes.
I am strong, creative, and capable.
The Takeaway
Affirmations may seem simple, but their impact is profound. They teach children to believe in themselves, to speak kindly to their own minds, and to face life’s challenges with confidence and hope.
By nurturing positive inner dialogue early on, we give our children one of the greatest tools for lifelong emotional wellbeing. 💛

17/09/2025

I got this question on my post about the scope of an Educational Psychologist, but my response is too long to reply, so I thought I would post it here.

The question is: How does educational psychology align with adults and older adults who are not studying or learning?

And this is my response: HPCSA Scope Reminder
In Government Gazette 34581 of 2011 (and the 2018 updates), Educational Psychologists are authorised to:
Identify, diagnose and intervene in emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties.
Provide psychotherapeutic interventions for challenges such as maladjustment, trauma, bereavement, crises, and psychological disorders.
Work with individuals, families, groups, organisations, and communities — not only children in schools.
So, the scope is not limited to “learning problems” or “academic contexts.” It is much broader and includes emotional and behavioural health across the lifespan.
Practical Adult Examples Beyond “Learning”
Supporting adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, or bereavement.
Helping couples or families navigate conflict, parenting stress, or adjustment difficulties.
Providing therapy for behavioural difficulties such as anger management or impulse control.
Working with adults or older persons struggling with identity, life transitions, or adjustment to illness/disability.

The EPASSA/PsySSA guidelines also clarify that Educational Psychologists work to alleviate “emotional, learning, academic, intellectual, behavioural, social and developmental difficulties” — and this applies across the lifespan, not only in childhood.
In practice, that means we can and do work with:
Adults adjusting to trauma, bereavement, or illness;
Families facing conflict, parenting stress, or life transitions;
Young adults struggling with career choices, anxiety, or depression;
Older adults adapting to retirement, role changes, or cognitive decline.
The common thread is this: wherever emotional, behavioural, or psychological challenges affect a person’s ability to adapt, develop, or function optimally, an Educational Psychologist is within scope to provide psychotherapy and intervention — whether the client is a child, adolescent, adult, or older adult.

Address

24 Amatola Road
Centurion
0157

Website

https://nadiaoedpsych.co.za/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nadia O Educational Psychologist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Nadia O Educational Psychologist:

Nadia O Educational Psychologist