Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Registered Counsellor?

A Registered Counsellor is a qualified mental health care professional registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

To qualify as a Registered Counsellor, one needs to complete an accredited BA degree in Psychology, as well as a Postgraduate Honours degree in Psychology and must successfully complete 720 hours of practical work, under the supervision of an experienced Psychologist.

What does a first session involve?

The first session is known as an intake session. I will ask you some questions in order to obtain background information and spend some time getting to know you. Together, we will explore your hopes and goals for your counselling journey.

I recommend an initial six session’s, each session is an hour long. This provides us with time to build a relationship and to reach your personal goals.

Are the sessions confidential?

The identity of the client and the content of the counselling conversation is private and confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without the client’s permission.It is important to note that there are certain exceptions to this confidentiality. As a healthcare professional, I am obliged by law and the ethical rules of the HPCSA, to break confidentiality under the following exceptional circumstances:

• Should you be a danger to yourself or others, confidentiality will be broken to ensure that you receive the best help possible.

• If required by law or a court order to disclose certain information.

• In the case of child abuse, I am mandated by law to report such information to the appropriate authorities.

The above aspects of confidentiality also apply to counselling sessions with minors (i.e. persons under the age of 18 years). The content of sessions will not be shared with parents or guardians without the consent of the minor. The exceptions to confidentiality, as detailed above, apply to minors as well. A feedback session can be requested by the parents or guardians upon termination of counselling with a minor, however, content will only be shared to the extent that the minor has consented. I do feel that parents are an important part of the therapeutic process and will always try to encourage minors to share relevant information with their parents.

Can I claim from my medical aid? What are the payment terms?

I am registered in South Africa with the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) which allows you to claim a portion of the session back from your medical aid. Medical aids differ with regards to whether they cover counselling or not, as well as the number of sessions allowed. It is your responsibility to confirm with your medical aid beforehand if counselling is covered. I run a cash practice, which means that you pay upfront for the session and claim back from your medical aid thereafter.

Payments can be made via EFT or via PAYPAL within 48 hours after receiving your invoice. All appointments must be rescheduled or cancelled via WhatsApp or email and no later than 24 hours before the appointment is due to take place. Failure to do so will result in the full hours fee. If you are late for your appointment, even though the session will be shorter, the full fee will still be charged.