Childhood stress
As caretakers we tend to view the world of our children as fun-filled and carefree, as they don’t have debts to worry about, school fees to pay, a demanding boss, or difficult in-laws to contend with! The truth is that children today do feel stress and many are...
The meaning of loss and grief
By Sheethal Behari, Clinical Psychologist at PsychMatters Centre People expect one to grieve following the death of a loved one, however grief occurs in other circumstances as well. Loss can be defined in so many ways. Sometimes an event occurs and is not recognised...
Staying on the Mark
By Joanna Kleovoulou, Clinical Psychologist & Founder So it’s a new year a new beginning, January 2016, the mantra month that offers great aspirations and goals, pledging a potential for you to make things happen – to set last year’s record straight. Right? Well, for...
Abuse – Stop the cycle – in Honour of 16 Days of Activism
by Joanna Kleovoulou, Clinical Psychologist (as featured in the Sowetan Newspaper) The Department of Justice estimates that 1 out of every 4 South African women are survivors of domestic violence. According to POWA, 1 in every 6 women who die in Gauteng are killed by...
What is it about being Judgemental?
by Sarit Swisa, Clinical Psychologist What is more powerful than a negative judgement? Think about it.... You might have had the most productive, creative day, checking all the boxes off your list. But it seems that that one moment of failure or disappointment colours...
Are we getting smarter
by Tamarin Epstein, Educational Psychologist Research in the field of psychology indicates that our children are actually smarter than us! Since before 1930, studies conducted in over 30 countries found that, with every passing decade, people are becoming more...
How to make the best out of studying- useful study tips that will minimize exam anxiety.
By Zaakirah Mohamed, Educational Psychologist As we are approaching our third terms exams and nearing the fourth term many learners and parents are anxious about studying towards these exams. In order to benefit the most out of our studying time this article will...
Making a star appearance in your life
Sarit Swisa (Clinical Psychologist) Somehow, the VERY last things you want to be told when you’ve had an extremely stressful, hectic day are “calm down” or “just breathe” or “stop stressing”. Doesn’t it seem a bit...
Double Checking, Superstitions or OCD?
Wimbledon has just ended with Novak Djokovic winning the championship. Rafael Nadal one of the strong contenders, crashed out in the second round. During the last Wimbledon, Nadal was accused of time wasting by his opponent. That was not the first time. Watching Nadal...
I love my baby but why do I feel so blue?
By Joanna Kleovoulou, Clinical Psychologist, Director and founder of PsychMatters I have just given birth to a precious being, my little baby girl Natalia. It has been such a privilege to spend time getting to know her, meet her needs, and watch her grow. However, as...
Feeling Anxious – Is this normal?
By Zaakirah Mohamed, Psychologist Anxiety is a normal human emotion, and we all feel anxious from time to time. Mild Anxiety is required when we need to survive in dangerous situations, as well as to motivate us with every day challenges and objectives. Experiencing...
Soul Mates
by Tamarin Epstein, Educational Psychologist What are Soulmates? The concept of soulmates is a spiritual belief that, for each person in the world, there is an ideally suited mate, whom one is predestined to unite with in marriage. The result is a spiritually perfect,...