FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST?
Clinical psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals specializing in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. They employ a scientist-practitioner model, integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical practice to understand, prevent, and alleviate psychological distress and dysfunction.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR A PSYCHOLOGIST?
In South Africa, psychologists must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The minimum qualification is a Master’s Degree in Psychology, which requires completing an undergraduate degree (e.g., B.A. in Psychology), followed by two postgraduate degrees: an Honours degree (e.g., B.A. Hons in Psychology) and a Master’s degree (e.g., M.A. in Psychology). Additionally, psychologists must complete a one-year internship at an approved institution, organization, or practice, followed by a year of community service. To maintain professional standards, ongoing continuing education is mandatory throughout their career.
For more information about clinical psychology, please click here.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHIATRIST AND A PSYCHOLOGIST?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. As medical professionals, they are qualified to prescribe medications and often focus on managing complex and severe mental illnesses. In contrast, psychologists are professionals trained in the science of human thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and learning processes, providing psychological assessments and therapies as outlined previously.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COUNSELLOR AND A PSYCHOLOGIST?
The primary distinction between a counsellor and a psychologist lies in the extent of training and regulatory requirements. Clinical psychologists undergo significantly more rigorous and extensive training compared to most mental health counsellors. In addition to their foundational education, many clinical psychologists pursue specialized training in specific therapeutic approaches. In South Africa, psychology is a regulated profession, requiring psychologists to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Registered clinical psychologists must complete a minimum of six years of university education and supervised practice, and they are required to engage in ongoing professional development to maintain and update their skills.
WHO SEEKS PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES?
My clients are individuals from all walks of life, much like you, who are seeking support to navigate current or ongoing challenges that affect their well-being. Some may face more complex or severe difficulties. My psychological services cater to a diverse range of needs and circumstances.
IS ONLINE THERAPY AS EFFECTIVE AS FACE-TO-FACE THERAPY?
Yes, and research has proved it. Online therapy can be even more effective than face-to-face counselling for those who have severe social anxiety, chronic pain, chronic illness, cancer or any struggle that causes them to not be able to get out of the home easily.
Mobility issues have historically made it difficult for some people to get the care and therapy that would be very helpful. I’ve also found that often the people who need therapy the most are the ones that can’t leave the home.
Since I often work with those who suffer with chronic pain, chronic illness, cancer, anxiety and depression, allowing for sessions online can make healing and growth a real possibility.
Some common misconceptions are as follows:
You cannot truly connect with your clients unless you are face-to-face
You will miss some of the non-verbal cues at times
Online therapy is not as effective as face-to-face therapy
PEOPLE WHO COMMONLY USE ONLINE THERAPY:
Anyone who wants therapy in an easy, convenient, effective manner
People who have busy work schedules and can’t leave the office
People with chronic pain or illness who have mobility issues
People without reliable transportation
Mother’s or father’s who are home with young children
Young adults who prefer to use technology
Caregivers who cannot leave an ill person alone
People with severe social anxiety or depression
Anyone who feels that there may be stigma attached to going into an office
Anyone who usually comes to my office but is having a sick or bad day, and doesn’t feel like coming into the office, yet wants to keep the appointment and receive help.
BENEFITS OF ONLINE THERAPY
Save Time
Everyone is so busy these days and sometimes the time needed to drive to and from counseling can deter you from getting the help you want. With online therapy you can save the drive time and not have extra time away from work, home and family. In just less than an hour you can get the help you desire.
Save Money
Getting away from work or the family may cost you time off, childcare, mileage and/or fuel. Online therapy can help reduce the overall costs of counselling and make it easier to get help.
Increased Choice
Not all therapists focus on the issues that you may want to work on. I focus on helping clients who are struggling with chronic pain, chronic illness, cancer, anxiety, depression, trauma and women’s issues. By offering online sessions I can help anyone who resides in California.
Increased availability
Depending on your work and life situation, it may be easier to schedule therapy during lunch or breaks instead of peak hours.
Feel more relaxed
While I strive to make you feel comfortable and at ease in the office, some people still have anxiety or stress related to coming into a therapist’s office. You may feel more comfortable in your own environment, whether at your home, office or wherever you choose to conduct your sessions.
Easy access for people with health or mobility struggles
You may be someone who has health or mobility limitations that make traveling to the therapy office difficult. Often those who are ill at home are the ones who would most benefit from therapeutic services. Online sessions gives you access to therapy that you might not have been able to receive otherwise.
IS ONLINE THERAPY RIGHT FOR YOU?
Your safety and wellbeing is of utmost importance. Not everyone is a good fit or comfortable with online therapy. It’s important that we discuss your situation and assess if online therapy will work for you. Please contact me to discuss your unique circumstances and together we can figure out what will work best for you.
If you choose to use online therapy with me I assure you that we will make sure to follow best practices guidelines and make sure that you have local resources to support you in case of any type of emergency.
Are you comfortable with a computer and online technology? Does technology cause you excess stress or anxiety? If so, then online sessions might not be the right answer for you.
CAN I COMBINE OFFICE AND ONLINE SESSIONS?
Well it depends on the situation and circumstances you are facing, as well as your distance from the office. If you are close enough to drive to the office, I have no problems providing a blend of office and online sessions to accommodate your needs. We just have to agree and communicate prior to each session so that together we effectively manage the blend.
It’s common with those who have chronic pain, chronic illness, or cancer to have good days and bad. Often they come to the office but then if there is a flare or bad day, we can switch to an online session. This is also good during flu season where I encourage clients if they are sick to either reschedule or do an online session.
Other common reasons for choosing to combine office and online sessions:
You are away for work or vacation
You have work or life situations that have you on a tight schedule.
You’re a busy executive who can’t always leave the office.
There’s inclement weather outside.
If you live outside the distance range of the office, then blending office and online sessions will not work. You can opt to just schedule online sessions.WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST SESSION
During your initial session, the psychologist will typically ask questions to understand your reasons for seeking therapy, your personal history, current circumstances, and your goals. By the end of the session, the psychologist will outline a proposed treatment plan and, based on your objectives, may collaborate with you to develop an action plan for initial changes you wish to implement.
Therapy is a collaborative process, so we encourage you to ask questions and be open about your thoughts and feelings. It’s essential that you feel comfortable proceeding at your own pace and actively participating in the therapeutic process.
WHAT TYPES OF THERAPIES DO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PROVIDE?
Clinical psychologists are trained in a diverse array of psychological assessments, interventions, and therapeutic approaches. They offer personalized treatment plans, including integrative therapies that combine two or more therapeutic modalities in a cohesive and theoretically sound manner to meet individual needs.
HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
To book an appointment, please complete our concise online booking form or contact us at +27 (0)18 468 5365 for a free, no-obligation consultation. During this consultation, we will work with you to arrange a suitable day and time for your session.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED AND HOW FREQUENTLY?
The number and frequency of sessions depend on your individual reasons for seeking therapy, as each person’s needs vary. Therapy often involves exploring issues in depth, which may require time. As part of the process, we will collaboratively develop a treatment plan to guide your ongoing therapy. Your health is our priority, so we encourage you to openly share your feelings, reflect on what is effective, and provide honest feedback about your therapy experience.
ARE SESSIONS CONFIDENTIAL?
All sessions are confidential, ensuring your privacy is protected. However, in specific circumstances, your treating psychologist may be legally required to disclose information. This includes situations mandated by law, instances where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or if records are subpoenaed. For further details, please refer to our privacy policy or discuss this during your sessions.
WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE THERAPY?
To participate in video therapy, you will need a computer, laptop, or smartphone with Zoom (or another mutually agreed-upon platform) installed and a stable internet connection with a minimum speed of 2 Mbps to support video conferencing.
You can verify your internet speed by searching “speed test” on Google and running a test. For optimal connectivity, we recommend using an Ethernet cable or positioning yourself close to your router.
We will establish backup plans in case of a poor or lost connection, which may include switching platforms, transitioning from video to audio, or rescheduling, based on your preferences.
To ensure a secure and effective session, we ask clients to:
- Secure a private location where you will not be overheard or interrupted.
- Avoid using public computers or devices for therapy sessions.
- Ensure your device has an up-to-date virus scanner installed.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M RUNNING LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT?
If you are running late for an appointment, we are unable to extend the session time. As a result, your appointment duration will be reduced, but we will strive to make the most of the remaining time to address your needs effectively.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE YOU?
A referral is not required to book an appointment with me. However, if a medical or allied health professional has recommended psychological support, providing details of their treatment can be beneficial. A referral also facilitates communication with other members of your healthcare team, supporting a coordinated approach to your care.
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
For clients residing in South Africa, the fee for a 50-minute individual therapy session is R1400. For clients located outside of South Africa, the 2025 therapy rates are available on our website. All sessions require payment in advance.
WILL MY MEDICAL AID COVER THE COST?
As a registered clinical psychologist with a practice number from the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), I am recognized by all medical aids in South Africa, which typically cover session costs to the extent provided by your psychological therapy benefit. Coverage varies depending on your specific medical aid plan, with some plans covering all or part of the therapy rate. Additionally, under South African legislation, Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) may ensure coverage for a number of therapy sessions for certain diagnosed psychological conditions, such as drug addiction, depression, bipolar mood disorder, and schizophrenia. To avoid unexpected costs, it is recommended to confirm your medical aid coverage prior to starting sessions.
HOW DOES BILLING WORK?
I operate a cash-based practice, meaning you will receive a monthly invoice directly, regardless of whether you have medical aid coverage. It is your responsibility to submit the invoice to your medical aid provider for reimbursement, if applicable.