Ms Gerda Dempers

Educational Psychologist

“An experienced and compassionate educational psychologist, with a special interest in early development as well as trauma - all ages. Services available: play therapy (pre-school and school aged children), individual therapy (teens and older), intellectual assessments, school readiness assessments & parental guidance.”

About Me

I offer compassionate support for families navigating the complexities of early development, attachment, and trauma. I help children and their caregivers understand and address difficulties impacting emotional well-being and learning. We can explore practical strategies together, ensuring you feel equipped to support your child's growth between sessions. My aim is to create a space where challenges transform into pathways for stronger family connections.

Approach

That space feels practical and collaborative, where we notice small patterns together and try out ways to change them. In my Pretoria consulting room I work in English and Afrikaans, pacing sessions to each child's energy and offering parents clear feedback and brief between-session steps to try at home. I use observation, gentle tasks and focused reflection with adolescents and caregivers so learning shows up at school and in daily routines. This approach suits families and young people wanting usable, steady progress.

Contact Gerda

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Pretoria, South Africa

Services

Services Offered:

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Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment
Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

Works With:

•Adolescents
•Children
•Individuals
•Parents
•Under Fives

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

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Life Transitions
Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.
Learn more about Life Transitions
•
Adolescent Therapy
Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.
Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
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Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues
•
ADHD / Attention
A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about ADHD / Attention
•
Autism (ASD)
A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.
•
Behaviour or Conduct Issues
Persistent patterns of defiant, aggressive, or rule-breaking behaviour in children or adolescents that significantly disrupt home, school, or social life.
•
Grief & Loss
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.
Learn more about Grief & Loss
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Parenting Support
Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.
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Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
•
Abuse
Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

Professional Title:

•
Educational Psychologist
A psychologist specialising in learning, development, and educational needs of children, adolescents, and young adults.

Qualifications

University of Johannesburg

Registrations

Health Professions Council Of South Africa (HPCSA); Board of Health Funders (BHF)

Educational Psychologist

Service Area

Gerda Dempers Educational Psychologist

In-person

Magalieskruin

Pretoria, Gauteng

South Africa