Paperwork

On your first appointment there will be some paperwork to be completed
.  You are thus encouraged to please arrive early. 

Given that there is only 50 min allotted for your session. If you arrive late, or exactly on time, the paperwork/admin will eat away at the time, you may prefer to be using sitting in session.

Meeting your Psychologist

Following the completion of the paperwork, the psychologist will come out and greet you and lead you to her office.

The conversation

The first session is usually an” intake “session. The psychologist will also ask why you have come to see her. The first appointment is not only important for establishing what your motivations and goals are for the process, however for also obtaining some history. It will further be explored how you see yourself, the problems you are dealing with, and how these challenges are affecting you and your life. It is important to be completely honest. The psychologist will use this information to form a more comprehensive conceptualisation of you, as well as starting to formulate a treatment plan. Don’t worry about saying too much or too little. The psychologist will prompt and guide you as needed. Remember the psychologist is a professional who is trained to listen and analyse in order to help.

Session Length

The session is 50 min long.

After your allotted 50 minutes or so, you should have a good feel of the dynamic between yourself and the psychologist. Towards the end of your session, if there is some time, the psychologist may like to summarise what you have discussed and ask you what you will take away from this session. She will watch the time so you don’t have to and will let you know when it’s time to end the session.

Fees

Fees are dependent on a number of factors including: the length of consultation, the service being provided (e.g. career guidance vs counselling) as well as your form of referral (e.g. referrals from Employee Wellness companies).

Current rate is full medical aid rates for medical aid clients (these vary slightly according to Fund and plan). For your convenience, your medical aid payment will be processed on your behalf following your consultation. Please note that you will be fully liable for any fees not reimbursed to the Psychologist by your Medical aid or short falls in this regard.

Cash clients are charged are charged a discounted rate. Please call the practice for more information.

What’s helpful after your appointment?

You are welcome to take notes of any key things that stand out for you during your session. Often during the conversation there will be moments of realisation and understanding that are difficult to recall afterwards. If you don’t want to take notes in the session, maybe write down or keep a notes tab in your phone after the session so you can refer back to them later in the week.

Allow yourself some downtime after the session to decompress and process. Everyone feels differently when coming out of a session. You may feel elated or exhausted, have mixed feelings or even feel relieved. However you feel, be sure to take stock of these feelings and give yourself some introspection time before rushing back out into life. It may also help to take note of these feelings, for exploration in the next session. The success of the process often really requires your full participation.