Jounelle Gibson Educational Psychologist

17/11/2025

The value of intentional gratitude cannot be under-estimated. "Gratitude plays a key role in building resilience to life’s stressors and challenges." However, it needs to come from an honest place and shouldn't feel forced. What are you grateful for today?

It can feel counterintuitive to pause for gratitude amid shifting political landscapes, climate emergencies, persistent conflicts, and the lingering ache of collective and personal loss—but it may be exactly what's needed most right now, APA President Debra Kawahara, PhD wrote recently. Gratitude ...

17/10/2025

Happy to have been accepted with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a Chartered Psychologist. This acknowledges high standards of psychological knowledge and expertise. For over 120 years, they have championed psychology and psychologists!

15/10/2025

While there is a lot of debate about the use of AI, one cannot forget the importance of the human brain to critically think, engage and reflect! Its about using these skills within the context of AI, not letting AI replace them. Neural pathways need to be exercised and critical engagement is a must! What are your thoughts?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-algorithmic-mind/202510/how-to-teach-critical-thinking-when-ai-does-the-thinking

When Deloitte consultants outsourced thinking to ChatGPT, they produced a $291,000 disaster. Students will fail the same way unless we teach dialogic engagement with AI.

10/10/2025

Happy World Mental Health Day. It matters every day and I hope that those who question reaching out for help are encouraged! Mental health is not embarrassing or inferior. It influences all parts of you and it matters!

06/09/2025

This article is almost two years old but still so pertinent. I wonder how the figures have shifted? Reality is that for many, social media is a necessary evil that builds 'connection' but also affects mental health. This is for all of us but we need to be cognisant of a teenager's developing brain.

What are your thoughts about your children? And yourselves?

Is social media consuming our teens? These teen social media addiction facts will keep you informed on the warning signs.

09/08/2025

Anxiety, depression or behaviour? The complexities in children with ASD. I don't know if pharmacists have capacity to do this though?

https://www.medicalacademic.co.za/psychiatry/beyond-the-spectrum-recognising-the-atypical/

09/08/2025

This is an interesting read! Masking is often used to describe children and young people who hide their real self to fit in with societal norms. ASD children can experience it. But other children?

The term "masking" is becoming more widely used—but it doesn't always explain a child's behavioral changes.

17/04/2025

AD/HD... Medication... Side-effects and monitoring. A thought-provoking read about the medication and cardiovascular and pulse effects.

Clinicians should be vigilant about cardiovascular side effects with ADHD medications but not avoid using them, experts say.

14/04/2025

Burnout is often something that is ignored or neglected because the person feels "they'll just get over it". It can have long lasting and deleterious effects on numerous systems in your life. This article offers a brief introduction.

https://jvrafricagroup.co.za/academy/blog/burnout-sos-how-to-spot-it-stop-it-and-stay-energised

10/04/2025

A great article about recognising indiviudal differences and ensuring fairness.

Imagine walking into a test knowing that, no matter how well you understand the material, the way the exam is structured might work against you. This is the reality for many neurodivergent individuals—those with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other cognitive differences.

01/04/2025

This leaves food for thought about modeling, guiding and supporting emotional regulation
https://www.gottman.com/blog/age-age-guide-helping-kids-manage-emotions/

How we react to our kids’ emotions has an impact on the development of their emotional intelligence.