When you’ve experienced a traumatic event, your GP or psychiatrist might refer you to a psychologist to help you to work through it. There might also be times when you just feel overwhelmed and feel like you can’t cope on your own. You might be experiencing persistent emotional and behavioural symptoms that interfere with your ability to function at work, home and other social settings. These symptoms might include outbursts of anger; feelings of hopelessness or depression; a change in your eating- or sleeping patterns; or persistent problems in your relationships.

Research has shown that therapy is effective in helping people to cope with and overcome many problems. Sometimes, a psychologist will work closely with other medical professionals to address a patient’s problem from all angels – for example, your psychologist might collaborate with a psychiatrist if you need medication.  The success of therapy also depends to a great extent on the patient’s full commitment to the process and willingness to be open and honest. A psychologist can offer support and guidance, but the patient needs to ‘do the work’, which includes a willingness to be open to and apply more adaptive ways of dealing with life’s challenges.

What you can expect from your first visit to my practice, is basically the following: Before the session, you’ll complete a form with basic personal information and a consent form that cover issues such as confidentiality, fees and my cancellation policy. We’ll then sit down in my private consultation room, where we’ll discuss the reason for your visit, explore your history and decide how we’ll go about addressing your concern through therapy. I’ll explain the therapeutic process and my approach to you and you can decide whether you will be comfortable working with me. Please feel free to ask questions if you are unsure about anything at this time. This session usually lasts between 45 – 60 minutes. If I am not a good match for you or you need more specialized treatment which I cannot provide, I can help you to find another therapist.

Every person has a different journey through therapy. The duration and intensity of therapy depends on the type and severity of the problem and the level of support the patient needs during the process.
 
Some people struggle with a very specific problem at a specific point in time and may need only a few sessions (or sometimes a single session) to talk it through and get practical tools to cope with it. Other people need to develop coping strategies to reduce or manage symptoms of stress or depression or to mend or improve relationships. This process will take a little longer – probably between 6 and 10 sessions. Other problems might be deeply rooted or involve self-development and -growth and need to be worked on over a longer period of time.

In the most simplistic terms: a psychiatrist has a medical degree and specialized in the treatment of mental illness. They can prescribe medication and sometimes also do some therapy.
 
A psychologist has a Masters or Doctorate degree in Psychology. There are various different fields of expertise including counselling-, clinical-, educational- and industrial psychology.
 
I am a counselling psychologist and specialize in assisting relatively well-adjusted people in dealing with normal problems of life concerning all stages and aspects of life. Counselling psychologists aim to facilitate desirable psychological adjustment, growth, and maturity.

In my practice, provision has been made for both medical aid claims and private payments.
 
If a patient belongs to a medical aid, it is his/her responsibility to ensure that funds are available and that their plan makes provision for psychotherapy. My practice will submit electronic claims to medical aids, but in the case of non-payment, the patient is responsible for payment of the account.
 
If a patient does not belong to a medical aid, or if his/her plan/option does not make sufficient provision for psychotherapy, I have a discounted cash rate at which sessions are charged. Payment can be made via EFT before the session or in cash directly after the session.
 
Assessments are charged on duration, but may carry the additional charge of any testing material that is required, a fee for scoring, report writing and feedback.