Riandie Marais Educational Psychologist

My practice is based on my belief that we all hold the key to our own happiness and success and that we can
make a difference in the world and the lives of those around us.

I believe passionately in the power of positive change and in assisting my clients to reach their goals. The
focus at my practice is on assisting clients to optimise their cognitive, learning, social, emotional and
behavioural functioning and enabling them to reach their potential. George Bernard Shaw said that “Life
isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself” and it is my aim to assist clients and their families
with this process.

My experience of working in a school environment has been informed by working in a primary school setting
as an educational psychologist for a number of years. In 2012 I started my private practice part time and
engaged with families and support structures in the community. My experience in the school context as well
as in private practice has made me realize the value of early intervention programmes, suitable assessments
and appropriate, intervention plans, whether the aim of support is management of attention challenges,
anxiety, self-esteem, social skills, the management of scholastic profiles or other areas in need of support. It
has also affirmed within me the belief that collaboration is key! The involvement of relevant role-players is
important when assisting a child in developing their potential.

As an educational psychologist I provide psycho-educational (academic) assessments, school readiness
assessments, career & subject choice assessments as well as therapy for emotional and academic support at
my practice. I utilize integrative therapy techniques and aim to support my clients in reaching their goals. I
engage with children at the level they are comfortable with and therapy is shaped by the child’s interests
and the pace of change and growth they feel comfortable with. Therapy is client centred in order to ensure a
relationship of engagement and collaboration. I aim to provide therapy with impact and actively involve my
clients in the process to encourage their own efficacy and progress towards reaching their goals.