About Us
Stacey Cohen
Qualifications
BA (WITS)
BA. Hons. Psychology (WITS)
PGCE (WITS)
M.Ed. Psychology (WITS)
HPCSA Registered: PS 0135127
Griffiths-III Registration (ARICD): 1891
The name Budding Minds is deeply symbolic of my mission. As an Educational Psychologist, my goal is to help children, adolescents, adults, parents and families cultivate the internal resources they need to grow into the best versions of themselves. I believe that learning and development are the "roots" of a healthy system; when these are strong, then you can flourish in every season of life. My clinical practice is grounded in a holistic understanding of how cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning intersect. In 2017, I completed specialized research on how ADHD impacts the family system and siblings, which continues to inform my family-centered approach today. I am professionally trained to identify barriers to learning and apply targeted interventions, such as play therapy and psycho-educational assessments to enhance overall development. Beyond diagnostic work, I have a deep interest in supporting individuals through a wide range of emotional and life transitions, including anxiety, self-esteem, and bullying, as well as complex family dynamics like pregnancy loss, and postnatal support. Whether providing parent guidance or helping a student master study skills, I am dedicated to creating a tailored system that fosters long-term resilience and growth. My special interests are: - Anxiety - Self-Esteem - Bullying - Adjustments - Parent guidance - Pregnancy loss/infertility - Positive/conscious parenting - Post natal depression - ADHD - Assessments - Identity - Depression - Study Skills Services: - Play therapy - Individual Therapy - Under 5 Therapy - Assessments (full psychoeducational or school readiness) - Learner Support (such as Study Skills Workshops) - Parent guidance
Kayleigh Luntz
Qualifications
BA (WITS)
BA Hons. Psychology (WITS)
PGCE Foundation Phase (UNISA)
Community Art Counselling (Lefika La Phodiso)
M.Ed Psychology (UJ)
HPCSA registered: PS 0147966
Practice number: PR 0953873
As an Educational Psychologist my passion lies in working with children and their families. My aim is to create a safe space for my clients by working holistically to meet their individual needs. My interests include child psycho-social development and learning, parental guidance and psychotherapy. After graduating from Masters in Educational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg I completed my internship at the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counselling Centre. This offered me an invaluable experience in working with a diverse range of clients and mental health issues. Through my training I have developed an integrative approach to therapy. I predominantly work with children and adolescents. Together we build a safe and containing space in which they can express themselves. Through play I try understand a child’s internal experience and their needs. I work closely with parents to gain insight into their children’s emotional and behavioural development. I am also trained in conducting full psycho-educational assessments that give insight into cognitive, emotional and academic development of children. Assessments aim to identify barriers to learning and put necessary interventions in place. My special interests are: - Child development - Anxiety - Attachment - Parental guidance - Adjustment difficulties - Trauma - Separation anxiety - Bereavement - Self esteem - Bullying - Behavioral issues Services provided are: - Play therapy - Under 5 therapy - Individual adolescent therapy - Individual adult therapy - Psycho Educational Assessments - Learner Support - Parent guidance
Lucy Hathorn
Qualifications
M.Ed. (Ed Psych) (UP)
PGCE (FET) (WITS)
BA Hons (WITS)
BA (WITS)
HPCSA Reg. No. PS 0157368
Practice number: 1121065
My passion as an educational psychologist lies in working with young adults, adolescent’s and pre-adolescents in the areas of learning and development. Using an eclectic approach, tailored to the needs of my clients, I create a brave space where my clients can grow to reach their full potential by learning more about themselves. Before graduating with my Masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Pretoria I taught at an all-girls school for many years. This gave an insight into the various challenges that adolescents face in the school contact and beyond. My training as a psychologist and experience in the school environment has given me a heightened awareness of the pressures that learners experience and the impact this has on their social, emotional, cognitive and academic functioning. I use psycho-therapy and parental guidance to empower my clients to navigate their various challenges. I am also trained in conducting full psycho-educational assessments for the purposes of accommodations and uncovering barriers to learning. In addition to this I also conduct career and subject choice assessments for the purpose of university applications and goal setting. I am also currently providing on-site therapeutic services at Amedeo College. My special interests are: - Autism - ADHD - Academic pressure and stress - Anxiety - Body image - Emotional regulation - Food and eating difficulties - Self-esteem - Teenage vaping Services provided are: - Play therapy - Individual adolescent therapy - Individual adult therapy - Psycho Educational Assessments - Career and Subject Choice Assessments - Learning Support - Parent guidance
Leandra Gomes-Luis
Qualifications
M.Ed. (Ed Psych) (WITS)
PGCE (FET) (WITS)
BA Hons (WITS)
BA (WITS)
HPCSA Reg. No. PS 0160792
Practice number: TBC
As an Educational Psychologist my passion lies in working with children and their families. My aim is to create a safe space for my clients by working holistically to meet their individual needs. My interests include child psycho-social development and learning, parental guidance and psychotherapy. After graduating from Masters in Educational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg I completed my internship at the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counselling Centre. This offered me an invaluable experience in working with a diverse range of clients and mental health issues. Through my training I have developed an integrative approach to therapy. I predominantly work with children and adolescents. Together we build a safe and containing space in which they can express themselves. Through play I try understand a child’s internal experience and their needs. I work closely with parents to gain insight into their children’s emotional and behavioural development. I am also trained in conducting full psycho-educational assessments that give insight into cognitive, emotional and academic development of children. Assessments aim to identify barriers to learning and put necessary interventions in place. My special interests are: - Child development - Academic Stress - Anxiety - Family dynamics - Parental Mental Health - Maternal Mental Health - Attachment - Social Skills - Child Behavioural Issues Services provided are: - Play Therapy - Individual adolescent therapy - Individual adult therapy - Under 5’s Therapy - Parent-Infant Psychotherapy - Individual Adult Therapy - Psycho-Educational Assessments