Dr Katie Hamilton Neuropsychologist

About me: Katie

I have always been fascinated with the inner workings of the human mind. In the final year of my undergraduate studies, I enrolled for a course on affective neuroscience and knew that I had found my passion. From there I discovered neuropsychology. Neuropsychology explores how the brain affects personality, mood, behaviour, and cognition, and how injury, mental health, and physical illness affect the brain. I have become dedicated to the study and application of neuropsychology, and have seen the improvements we can make in patients' lives.

I grew up in Johannesburg and completed my BA Psychology & Philosophy (with distinction) at the University of the Witwatersrand. Throughout my undergraduate studies I was a volunteer peer counselor at the Wits Counselling and Careers Development Unit.

I relocated to Cape Town to complete my BSocSc(Hon) Psychology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). At the end of 2011, UCT announced they would be starting an accredited Masters in Neuropsychology program in 2012. I was one of only 6 students accepted into the new program.

I graduated in 2014 with my MA Neuropsychology (with distinction) and completed an internship (retrospectively recognised by the HPCSA) at Groote Schuur Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Hospital, and the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I continued my involvement in the UCT Neuropsychology program while completing my Doctoral research. In 2020 I graduated with my PhD Psychology, which explored the biological bases of social development in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Althougth Neuropsychology is an established field internationally, it is a new speciality in South Africa. In 2020, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) opened the register for psychologists in this category. In the same year, the HPCSA held their first neuropsychology board exams for graduates of the MA Neuropsychology program and I was awarded my registration as a neuropsychologist. Simultaneously, the HPCSA started a grandparenting process for Clinical Psychologists who had been practicing within the Neuropsychology scope to apply for registration.

ABOUT ME: TIMOTHY

At the end of high school, I found myself uncertain about what career path to follow, but one thing was clear: I wanted to work in a field where I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It was during this time that I first discovered neuropsychology, a field that explores the relationship between the brain, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing. I was immediately drawn to its ability to help individuals better understand the effects of brain injury, neurological conditions, and mental health challenges, and to support them in improving their quality of life.

I grew up in KZN and completed my BSocSc Psychology & Economics at the University of Cape Town (UCT). During my undergraduate studies I also took elective courses in Human Anatomy and Biology in order to better understand the brain. I continued my studies at UCT, completing my BSocSc(Hon) Psychology before completing my MA Neuropsychology, also at UCT.

My clinical training included internships at Groote Schuur Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, and within the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, where I gained experience working with both adults and children across a range of neurological and psychological conditions. In 2026, I passed the HPCSA neuropsychology board examination and became a registered Neuropsychologist in South Africa. Since then, I have relocated to Johannesburg to join Dr Katie Hamilton in practice and look forward to growing as a clinician while providing compassionate, high-quality care to those in need.