Mrs Pamela Van der knaap

Psychologist

Verified

“I am a qualified Educational Psychologist and Foundation Phase teacher. I taught children who were in the foundation phase for five years before becoming an Educational Psychologist. I work closely with children of all ages as well as their parents. I also work with young adults who are needing psychological support.”

About Me

As an Educational Psychologist and former Foundation Phase teacher, I guide children of all ages through their unique developmental and emotional challenges. I also work closely with parents, helping them understand and support their child's journey. In addition, I see young adults who may be facing difficult times in their lives subsequently needing psychological and emotional support. My blend of educational insight and psychological expertise helps families navigate school life, the challenges that they may face within their own families, personal growth and emotional support . We work together to foster resilience and understanding.

Approach

My approach is client-led which means I meet the client where they are, and will incorporate the best suited approach to the individual. Therapy unfolds through gentle structure, play and short practical tasks that help children and young adults name feelings and try new strategies. I work in Cape Town and offer sessions in English, with options for online meetings when families prefer remote support. Sessions are paced to match developmental levels, which for the younger children often includes play therapy, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and talk-therapy for the tweens, adolescents and adults. I also believe it is important to work closely with the caregivers of the children.

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Basic Information

Cape Town, South Africa

In-person & Online

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Services

Play therapy Parental counselling/guidance Adolescent counselling Young adult counselling Social-Emotional regulation groups

Services Offered:

Counseling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counseling
Play Therapy
A therapy for children that uses play as a natural form of communication, allowing them to express feelings and process difficult experiences.
Learn more about Play Therapy
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy

Works With:

Adults
Children
Parents
Under Fives
Adolescents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

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
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
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.
Trauma
The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Learn more about Trauma
Family Issues
Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.
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.