Extend Care & Consultancy

We’re excited to officially welcome Carlize Potgieter back to Extend Care & Consultancy — this time as our Play Therapist!

Many may remember Carlize from her time with us as an intern, and we’re so happy to now have her as part of our growing team. Through play, creativity and sensory exploration, she supports children facing anxiety, big emotions, behavioural challenges, social difficulties, family changes, and more.

Feel free to get in touch to learn more about how play therapy can support your child.

Teens are increasingly using AI-powered mental health apps, which provide an opportunity for schools to give more support to their students.

But a new risk assessment of the popular technology urges caution for both students and educators.

📱 Read more: https://bit.ly/4dKaQ83

As counselors, we know…

It’s rarely about the behavior.

It’s what’s underneath.

I wanted something I could actually use in those moments — not go digging through files or tabs or Google.

So I built it into the new School Counseling Planners for next school year.

This year includes 26 full-color student support pages (like this one) so when a student walks in overwhelmed…
you’re ready.

Comment SUPPORT and I’ll send you the details.

The Pros and Cons of Homework (in 6 Charts) The case for homework isn’t black and white, so we looked far and wide for research to shed a little light on the matter.

Many homes keep a screen or music playing in the background all day. It can feel harmless because nobody is actively watching. Yet constant noise gives the brain very few chances to experience quiet and recover from ongoing stimulation.

Silence is not empty for the brain. Quiet moments help attention reset, thoughts organize, and emotions settle. They also train the mind to ignore distractions. Without enough quiet time, filtering sounds and staying focused can become harder over time.

Background audio keeps part of the brain alert. Even when ignored, changing voices, beats, and sudden sounds can pull attention in small ways. These repeated interruptions may create restlessness, shorter focus, and a constant need for fresh stimulation during tasks.

Children can be especially sensitive because their attention systems are still developing. If noise is always present, deep play, reading, problem solving, and imagination may become more difficult. The mind learns to expect input instead of creating focus from within.

Parents can help by building quiet spaces into the day. Turn devices off when not needed, lower noise during play, and protect moments without media. Silence is not missing something. It is where attention, calm, and deeper thinking grow strongest.

NEW at Extend Care & Consultancy

We’re excited to introduce our Breast Care Clinic — offering compassionate, professional care focused on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and your peace of mind.

Services include consultations, ultrasounds, biopsies, and thyroid scans.
📅 Appointments available every Monday (limited slots!)

Your health matters — book your appointment today.