Emma

Mrs Emma Wijnberg

Occupational Therapist

“An experienced, asset-based, supportive Occupational Therapist, working with children as well as with people with psychiatric difficulties.”

About Me

I work with children and adults experiencing psychiatric difficulties, offering an asset-based approach. As a Hippotherapist, I uniquely blend therapeutic support with horse-assisted activities. This can be especially beneficial for building connection and confidence. My experienced approach helps you or your child harness strengths to navigate daily life challenges. Together, we find practical ways to engage more fully with the world, fostering independence and well-being.

Approach

Therapy unfolds through practical, strength-focused tasks that translate skills into everyday routines, helping calm dysregulation and build confidence. In Pietermaritzburg I work in English, Afrikaans and isiZulu, offering clinic-based sessions that can include gentle horse-led activities when movement and sensory input enhance learning. I keep sessions steady and collaborative — short, achievable goals, sensory strategies and clear home steps with regular feedback to measure progress between meetings. This hands-on, routine-centred way of working suits children, adolescents and adults facing neurodevelopmental, behavioural or mood challenges.
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Basic Information

In-person

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Services

Services Offered:

  • Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

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

  • Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy

    A therapy that helps people develop or recover the practical skills needed for daily life activities, from self-care to work and social participation.

  • Paediatrics

    Mental health services specifically designed for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing developmental, emotional, and behavioural needs.

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Children
  • Families
  • Groups
  • Individuals
  • Parents
  • Under Fives

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Autism (ASD)

    A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.

  • Child Behaviour

    Behavioural difficulties in children, such as tantrums, aggression, withdrawal, or defiance, that signal emotional distress or developmental needs.

  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Epilepsy

    A neurological condition characterised by recurrent seizures, which can also carry significant emotional and social impacts including anxiety, stigma, and lifestyle limitations.

  • Learning or Development Difficulties

    Conditions that affect a person's ability to acquire, process, or apply information, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or intellectual disability, impacting education and daily life.

  • Neuropsychiatry

    A medical specialty at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry, focused on conditions where brain dysfunction produces psychiatric symptoms.

  • Parenting Support

    Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.

  • Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout

Professional Title:

  • Occupational Therapist

    A therapist who helps people develop or recover the practical skills needed for daily life, work, and social participation.

Service Areas

Emma Wijnberg Occupational Therapy

In-person

Howick

Umngeni, KwaZulu Natal

South Africa

Howick, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa