Dedri Hamman is a highly skilled Educational Psychologist with a deep commitment to supporting children, families, and early relational development. Her professional journey reflects a strong integration of education, psychology, creativity, and evidence-based practice.
Dedri’s academic pathway began at the University of Pretoria, where she completed a BA in Music. It was during her time in music education that she developed a deep appreciation for the importance of self-expression, emotional safety, and learning without performance pressure — principles that continue to inform her therapeutic and assessment work today.
She went on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) through UNISA, followed by a BEd Honours in Inclusive Education at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her teaching experience includes working as an Afrikaans First Additional Language teacher, music teacher, and choral conductor, providing her with valuable insight into diverse learning styles, classroom dynamics, and inclusive education practices.
Dedri later completed her Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Psychology at Stellenbosch University, where her research focused on teachers’ perspectives of assessment accommodations. This training equipped her with strong clinical assessment skills and a nuanced understanding of how learning differences present within educational environments.
Following this, Dedri pursued a second master’s degree, completing an MPhil in Infant Mental Health (cum laude) at Stellenbosch University. Her research explored parenting in the modern age of music, with a specific focus on how caregivers use music within the caregiver–infant relationship during the first 1,000 days of development. During this training, Dedri gained valuable practical experience at the Tygerberg Hospital Infant Mental Health Clinic, where she worked alongside multidisciplinary teams supporting parents and infants.
Clinically, Dedri is passionate about helping families understand each child as a unique individual across emotional, cognitive, developmental, and learning domains. Her work is guided by the belief that meaningful support must be personalised, respectful of family systems, and aligned with each family’s values, lifestyle, and strengths. She makes use of up-to-date assessment tools and technology to ensure that each assessment and intervention plan is tailored thoughtfully and accurately.
Dedri has a particular interest in working with families of young children (under five years of age), early development, attachment relationships, and supporting parents during the foundational stages of childhood. She is fluent in both Afrikaans and English, allowing families to engage in therapy and assessments in the language in which they feel most comfortable. Creating a warm, welcoming, and emotionally safe therapeutic environment remains central to her practice.
Alongside her clinical work, Dedri is deeply invested in the development of future psychologists. She supervises intern educational psychologists and provides structured training opportunities through her practice, including holiday programme placements.
Outside of work, Dedri enjoys spending time in nature, particularly long walks and hikes with her two Boston Terrier dogs, as well as time at the beach. She has a strong appreciation for the arts and enjoys attending theatre productions, including musicals, ballet, and opera. Creatively, she enjoys painting, embroidery, and craft projects while listening to podcasts, currently working through Ologies. Dedri also enjoys road trips and exploring new places with her husband, Joggie.
