Educational Psychologist | Researcher | Former Associate Professor | Medico-Legal Specialist
Dr Joseph Seabi
"Dedicated to advancing educational psychology through research, assessment and evidence-based practice."
Dr Seabi is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Educational Psychologist. He holds a PhD in Psychology, two Masters degrees in Research Psychology and Educational Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand, an Honours degree and a Bachelor degree.
He completed his internship at Tara H. Moross Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. After qualifying as an Educational Psychologist, he spent ten years in academia, rising through the ranks and being promoted to Associate Professor within seven years of his appointment as a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand.
At Wits, he lectured developmental psychology, psychological assessment, research and community educational psychology, while supervising numerous postgraduate psychologists. His academic and clinical work gives the practice strong depth in assessment, research-informed intervention, learning development and medico-legal work.
Research and review profile
Dr Seabi has published extensively in accredited national and international journals and has contributed book chapters in psychological assessment, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, reading comprehension, working memory, learning strategies, self-esteem and cognitive ability.
Psychoeducational assessments
Learning difficulties
ADHD & autism
Career assessment
Medico-legal assessments
Qualifications
- PhD in Psychology.
- Master of Educational Psychology.
- Master of Arts in Research Psychology.
- BA Honours in Counselling Psychology.
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Areas of expertise
- Educational psychology and psychoeducational assessments.
- Child and adolescent development.
- Learning difficulties and learning support.
- ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Autism spectrum disorder.
- Behavioural and emotional assessments.
- School readiness and school placement.
- Career assessment and career counselling.
- Individual therapy and play therapy.
- Parent guidance and family consultation.
- Medico-legal and medical negligence assessments.
- Research design and programme evaluation.
- University teaching and postgraduate supervision.
- Community psychology, academic development and student success.
Clinical, academic and research leadership
Clinical expertiseComprehensive psychological assessment, therapy, consultation and intervention for children, adolescents, families, schools, universities and organisations.
Academic leadershipFormer Associate Professor at Wits with extensive experience teaching, supervising postgraduate psychologists and advancing educational psychology through research.
Research excellenceAuthor of 30+ peer-reviewed publications with national and international contributions to child development, learning, ADHD, autism, bullying and educational psychology.
Why families choose Dr SeabiEvidence-based, compassionate and practical support that empowers individuals, families, educators and organisations to thrive.
Research focus
- Child and adolescent development.
- Learning and cognition.
- Bullying and school wellbeing.
- ADHD and autism.
- Educational psychology.
- Community mental health.
- Higher education and student success.
Featured media
Publications
- Goldschmidt, L., Alexander, D., Seabi, J. & Maree, J. G. (2019). Psychosocial well-being in adulthood in response to systemic barriers in kinship care as experienced during adolescence. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth.
- Amod, Z., Heafield, D. & Seabi, J. (2018). Assessing a remedial intervention programme in developing the planning skills of Grade 4 and 5 learners. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 65(4), 428-441.
- Bresgi, L., Alexander, D. L. M. & Seabi, J. (2017). Working memory skills and mathematical performance of Grade 2 South African learners. International Journal of Educational Research, 81, 1-10.
- King, K., Alexander, D. L. M. & Seabi, J. (2016). Siblings' perceptions of their ADHD-diagnosed sibling's impact on the family system. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13, 910.
- Meiring, M., Seabi, J., Amod, Z., Vorster, A. & Kern, A. (2016). Transition for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: South African parent and professional perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry: Child & Adolescent, 7:93.
- Volkel, G., Seabi, J., Cockcroft, K. & Goldschagg, P. (2016). Gender, socio-economic status and home language effects on reading comprehension. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13, 322.
- Vorster, A., Sacks, A., Amod, Z., Seabi, J. & Kern, A. (2016). Early childhood caregivers: Challenges in an under-resourced community. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 6(1), a257.
- Kern, A., Amod, Z., Seabi, J. & Vorster, A. (2015). South African foundation phase teachers' perceptions of ADHD. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12, 3042-3059.
- Seabi, J., Seedat, J., Khoza-Shangase, K. & Sullivan, L. (2014). Experiences of university students regarding transformation in South Africa. International Journal of Educational Management, 28(1), 66-81.
- Seabi, J. (2013). Children's health and annoyance reactions to aircraft noise exposure in South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10, 2760-2777.
- Seabi, J., Cockcroft, K. & Goldschagg, P. (2013). Longitudinal effects of exposure to chronic aircraft noise on children's activities. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4(9), 1046-1054.
- Seabi, J., Cockcroft, K., Goldschagg, P. & Greyling, M. (2013). Chronic aircraft noise exposure and learners' reading comprehension. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.
- Benjamin-Bullock, A. & Seabi, J. (2013). Emerging voices: Mastery and discovery in Black and African Psychology. Journal of Black Psychology, 39(3), 342-344.
- Cockcroft, K., Seabi, J., Goldschagg, P. & Greyling, M. (2013). Environmental noise and primary school children's memory. Advances in Applied Sciences, 1, 16-23.
- Seabi, J. & Payne, J. (2013). Identity processing styles and academic achievement of first-year university students. International Journal of Educational Management, 27(3), 311-322.
- Seabi, J., Cockcroft, K., Goldschagg, P. & Greyling, M. (2012). Aircraft noise exposure and learners' reading comprehension. Noise and Health, 19, 29-37.
- Seabi, J. (2012). Gender identity and career decision-making in matriculants. South African Journal of Higher Education, 26(4), 765-783.
- Seabi, J. (2012). Feuerstein's mediated learning experience and cognitive functioning of remedial school learners. Australian Journal of Educational & Developmental Psychology, 12, 35-45.
- Tinsley-Myerscough, S. & Seabi, J. (2012). A postmodern career life story intervention with disadvantaged Grade 12 learners. South African Journal of Higher Education, 26(4), 742-764.
- Seabi, J. (2011). Learning strategies, self-esteem, intellectual functioning and academic achievement. South African Journal of Psychology, 41(2), 239-249.
- Seabi, J. (2010). Foundation phase educators' perceptions of ADHD at a mainstream primary school. South African Journal of Higher Education, 24(4), 616-629.
- Seabi, J. (2009). Identity processing styles, commitment and self-esteem among college students. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 19(3), 309-314.
- Seabi, J., Alexander, D. & Maite, O. (2010). Parental involvement in career development among disadvantaged adolescents. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 20(3), 491-496.
- Seabi, J., Goldschagg, P. & Cockcroft, K. (2010). Aircraft noise, reading comprehension, attention and working memory: A pilot study. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 20(1), 101-104.