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.
