Education

Registered Counsellor

Board Credentials:
2024

The HANDLE Institute

HANDLE

Level One and Two qualifications
2023-2024

The International Council on Development and Learning

DIR FLOORTIME Therapy

Level One and Two qualifications
2023-2024

IBBCS- International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (United States)

Certified Autism Specialist. 

Accreditation license number: AC23523692
2023

University of Cape Town

Master’s degree- Bachelor of Social Science “Educational inclusion of children living with ASD: Exploring challenges caregivers’ experience of equitable access to education in South Africa.”
2020-2023

University of Cape Town

BSocSci Honours degree
2019

University of Cape Town

Bachelor’s degree: Psychology & Social Development
2014

Hi, my name is Kirsten, and it’s so lovely to meet you! If you are looking for holistic, collaborative, evidence-based support, intervention and resources for your child on the spectrum or with developmental delays you have come to the right place!

My journey into the world of development and the autism spectrum began during my first year of University, where I pursued developmental psychology. My passion for helping others coupled with my fascination and interest in human development and developmental delays steered my focus to the autism condition. After graduating, I worked as an ABA behavioural therapist and school facilitator for children with autism and other exceptionalities for a number of years. During this time, I realised there was a crucial gap in autism therapy, school inclusion and care for children on the spectrum.

I thus went on to complete my Honours degree and my Master’s degree at the University of Cape Town, specialising in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Education, researching the gaps, inequalities and inclusive strategies in the current educational and therapeutic landscape of South Africa.

As I am a strong believer in a holistic, multi-disciplinary intervention approach to foster optimal development, I received various qualifications in different therapies for individuals on the spectrum and/or with developmental delays. These include qualifications in DIR Floortime therapy, HANDLE therapy, ESDM therapy, sensory integration and CBT therapy. I am also a certified autism specialist registered with the IBBCS Board as well as a registered counsellor, specialising in autism, child/teen, trauma and couples counselling.

I currently live in Somerset West, in the Western Cape, with my husband and our gorgeous dog, Ella.

I am exceptionally passionate about seeing long-term growth, nurturing development and connections and producing measurable results that align with every family’s unique goals. After all, your child with autism or developmental delays has unlimited potential, just like everyone else.