Andreas Baron, Educational Psychologist

08/07/2025

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to contribute, in a minor manner, to the following piece: https://www.derebus.org.za/medico-legal-educational-predictions-leave-much-to-be-desired/

Generally, the medico-legal field is a rather tough one in South Africa. Despite this, many experts and colleagues do their utmost best to remain as objective and fair as possible, and to act as expert witness to the court - not to the instructing party.
However, there are issues in the field. The short piece is only able to scratch the surface on some of these. While there are certainly experts who represent the discipline in a professional manner, a number of recent judgments have come out with a more critical stance towards medico-legal experts, especially psychologists in various categories of registration. Reports based on hearsay; generic, unverified arguments; and lacking substantial proof are coming under the spotlight more and more and have a significant risk of damaging the name of psychologists within the medico-legal field, as well as with the wider public. This should be guarded against as it can undermine the credibility of both the expert as well as the discipline. In touching on some of the issues, perhaps we can contribute to a wider conversation around the responsible use of educational postulations within the field.

02/08/2021

A brief post I made by request of e-Classroom on how to speak to your (young-ish) children about everything going on at the moment. Includes a Voice recording and links to useful resources:

https://e-classroom.co.za/blog/how-to-help-your-child-cope-with-the-stress-and-uncertainty-of-current-events

Helping your child to build resilience during trying times.

20/07/2021

19/06/2020

Try these tips to keep calm and carry on.

09/06/2020

Kindly note that the practice is open again for bookings as per usual. Covid-19 protocols are in place to minimize risk.

04/06/2020

01/05/2020

An interesting read. Especially now when you are faced with yourself more so than usual.

This graphic is relevant now more than ever.

30/03/2020

If you watch the news for any length of time, you might feel like going to bed and pulling the covers over your head. Preparation for the coronavirus is more than washing your hands; it's cleansing your mind, too, of overkill, overblown news coverage and over-reactions.

29/03/2020

Dear client

Considering the current situation regarding the national lock-down, the practice will be functioning at minimal capacity.

Mental health services have been classified as an essential service during this time. As such, existing clients have the option to request online consultations, to be charged at regular rates. In the case of a mental-health emergency, both new and existing clients may request a face-to-face consultation.

In such cases, due care will need to be taken that adequate hygiene measures are in place from both myself and the client. Should either party feel unwell, have any reason to suspect that they might be infected with COVID-19, or have reason to believe that they have been in contact with someone who has been, the consultation will be called off.

Scholastic- and career-assessments will be postponed until after the lock-down has been lifted as these do not constitute emergencies.

Communication lines will remain open by e-mail or phone.

I wish you and your family all the best during these peculiar and uncertain times.

Kind regards,
Andreas Baron

24/02/2020

Often starting is more difficult than maintaining momentum.

Task initiation is a powerful skill. The ability to tell oneself that a project or job needs to be started is a big part of getting anything done.  A bigger part of that is actually starting.  How many of us have to-do lists that are a mile long? Knowing a job needs done is part ... Read More abou...

26/02/2019

13/02/2019

Last week I said many things. Most of it garbage probably. Just like every other week. But, in contrast to other weeks, one whole sentence I said got quoted by The Sunday Times! Right at the very end of the article, just in time for the end.