FAQ
What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist and counsellor?
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A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can diagnose psychological issues and dysfunction, prescribe medication and perform therapy.
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A psychologist can also diagnose psychological issues and dysfunction and
treat these mental health conditions with therapy. However, unlike a psychiatrist, they cannot prescribe medication.
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A counsellor's role is not centred around pathology, but rather on offering support and helping clients navigate any issues and challenges impacting their mental wellbeing. Counsellors can identify symptoms associated with mental health conditions and can help refer a client to a specialist for further review when necessary. A counsellor can also work with a person who has received a mental diagnosis by providing additional support and helping the client manage their symptoms.
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Can my medical aid cover my fees?
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As I am a registered counsellor with the HPCSA and BHF many medical aids will help cover part or all of the counselling fees. However, I am a cash practice, which means I do not make the claims on my clients' behalf. Rather clients settle their fees with me upfront and then they have the option to claim back from their insurance directly.
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Do you do online counselling?
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Yes, I offer both in-person counselling and online counselling via Google Meets, Zoom or other similar services.
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How many sessions do I need?
​My aim is to try to help clients achieve meaningful progress in a relatively short period. I focus on providing effective, goal-oriented counselling designed to address your specific needs and facilitate positive change as efficiently as possible. With that, between 6 to 8 sessions are usually a sufficient number of sessions to address specific concerns and to see significant progress.
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However, this will be different for every person and will depend on a few things such as the reasons you are seeking counselling, what you want to gain from the sessions, the work you do between the sessions and your financial situation. We will discuss this together in our first session and continue to reassess as our sessions continue. If it becomes apparent that long-term support is necessary, we will discuss the best options for your continued support.
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