About educational psychologists
Educational psychologists are psychologists who work on learning, development and well-being at school: assessment of learning difficulties, ADHD or high abilities, support plans and guidance for families and teachers.
Getting mental health care in Botswana
Public health system · Ministry of Health and Wellness public health services
Public care is delivered through nurse-run clinics and health posts grouped under doctors, with district and referral hospitals above them. Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, a 300-bed facility opened in 2009, is the national psychiatric referral hospital. Mental health teams include psychiatrists, medical officers, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatric nurses, but the workforce is overstretched.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC). Under the Botswana Health Professions Act, no one may practise as a medical practitioner or as a member of an allied health profession, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, unless registered in the appropriate BHPC register. Ask for the BHPC certificate of registration.
Urgent help in Botswana
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, dataguidance.com
What does a educational psychologist do?
An educational psychologist supports children and young people’s learning, development and well-being in educational settings. Day to day they assess learning, attention, behaviour and emotional difficulties, observe pupils in class, write reports with recommendations, and work with families and teachers on support plans. Some also guide students on study habits, school transitions and career choices, or train school staff.
When to see a educational psychologist
It makes sense to consult an educational psychologist when a child struggles to read, write or do maths despite effort, has trouble concentrating, shows changes in behaviour at school, may have high abilities, or faces bullying or school refusal. If there are significant emotional problems at home as well, or a possible mental health condition, a clinical or child psychologist may also be needed.
How is it different from other professionals?
An educational psychologist is a psychologist focused on learning and school, able to carry out psychological assessments. A psychopedagogue, or educational therapist, usually comes from education and works on learning strategies and intervention, often without formal psychological diagnosis. A speech therapist focuses on language and communication. A clinical child psychologist treats emotional and behavioural problems beyond the school context.
What happens in the first session
The first meeting is usually with parents or carers, sometimes with the young person present, to understand the concern, development, school history and what has been tried. The psychologist may ask for school reports or permission to talk to teachers. Bring report cards, previous assessments, examples of schoolwork, and questions about what the assessment involves and how results will be shared.
How long does the process take?
An assessment usually takes a few sessions, followed by a feedback meeting and a written report. Intervention or follow-up can be short, such as a few guidance sessions for parents and teachers, or longer when there is ongoing support for learning, attention or behaviour. Duration depends on the child’s needs, age, school cooperation and how consistently recommendations are applied.
Online or in person?
Online sessions work well for parent guidance, meetings with teachers, study skills coaching for older students and reviewing progress. Formal assessments with standardised tests and work with younger children are usually better in person, where the psychologist can observe attention, behaviour and how the child approaches tasks. Some professionals combine an in-person assessment with online follow-up.
How to check their qualifications
Educational psychologists are psychologists, so check that they are registered with the psychology licensing body or professional college of their country. Ask about their postgraduate training in educational or child psychology, experience with the specific difficulty, the assessment tools they use and whether their reports are accepted by schools. Where relevant, ask whether they follow child-protection and data-protection standards.
What affects the price?
Costs depend on whether you need a full assessment with a written report or ongoing sessions, the number of tests involved, the professional’s experience, the city and the modality. School visits or meetings with teachers may be charged separately. Ask for an estimate in advance, and check whether the school or public education services offer assessments at no cost.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Botswana cover psychological care?
Public care is delivered through nurse-run clinics and health posts grouped under doctors, with district and referral hospitals above them. Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, a 300-bed facility opened in 2009, is the national psychiatric referral hospital. Mental health teams include psychiatrists, medical officers, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatric nurses, but the workforce is overstretched.
How do I check that a educational psychologist is licensed in Botswana?
Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC): Under the Botswana Health Professions Act, no one may practise as a medical practitioner or as a member of an allied health profession, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, unless registered in the appropriate BHPC register. Ask for the BHPC certificate of registration.