Online Therapy

I am currently offering online therapy to new clients. If you want to know more about online therapy and how it works at my practice read below. If you want to book an appointment please click Making an Appointment and follow the steps or email me.

During this challenging and uncertain time of Covid-19 we are asked to prioritise physical safety. This is difficult time for so many of us. If you find yourself worried, scared, angry or struggling and would like to reach out for help but do not want to put your own, or vulnerable family members at risk then online therapy may be a good choice.

There is currently a large body of research that points to the efficacy of online therapy. It appears to work as well as face to face therapy. You and I will work hard together to try and make this a reality for you. One of the important factors in the efficacy of therapy is the relationship between the client and therapist. It may be useful to spend some time on this website, explore My Approach and see if it resonates with you. If you have any questions, please send me an email and ask them.

Selecting a therapist can be difficult. Therapy should be a supportive and yet challenging place. We are usually aiming to make changes in your life and in your approach or behaviour and change is not always easy. I therefore encourage you to think about the platform you would like to engage in, and who you would like to do that with.

 

How do we meet online?

Currently, I use a platform called Doxy.me. If we begin online therapy I will send you a link to my online practice consulting room.

You will need;

  • A private space where you cannot be overheard,
  • Access to the internet and,
  • A device with a camera and microphone.

You will not need to download any software or register anywhere for this platform.

 

Security and Privacy

Your privacy is important to me. For this reason I have chosen a platform on which all data is encrypted, patient sessions are anonymous (if you are not comfortable using your name you can use a pseudonym in the room) and no patient info is stored persistently. The AES cipher is used with 128-bit keys to encrypt audio/video, and HMAC-SHA1 to verify data integrity.

 

Billing

The cost of an online session is the same as a face to face session. Most medical aids (although not all) cover the full rate of an online session. I charge just below medical aid rates (rates) and can claim directly.

I cannot guarantee that your medical aid will cover the sessions. You can check this by calling your medical aid and inquiring about what psychological benefits you qualify for. Be sure to ask where these benefits come from as they often come out of savings.

Payment does not happen up front or in advance. You will receive a bill after the session and pay then.

 

I need to see someone urgently, it is an emergency.

If you need urgent help and are concerned for your, or your loved ones safety please do one of the following:

  • Contact your GP or closest emergency room
  • Call 10111 and ask for assistance
  • Contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Support Group: sadag.org/

0800 567 567/ 011 234 4837

 

Therapy is not an emergency response; it is a longer term commitment to slow and steady change and progress. I do not take emergency sessions and am often not immediately available. I encourage you to take your own well-being seriously and use one of the options above.

 

Will we ever meet?

Ideally when it is safe to do so we can switch to face to face sessions. However, our process may conclude before then, you may be too far away for this to be practical or you may wish to continue online. We will discuss this at the outset of the process and will check in again during the process. It is important we keep in touch with regards to what may be working and what may not be working. We will constantly assess our goals and see if we are meeting them.

 

I want to do online therapy anonymously is this possible?

I am afraid at my practice this is not possible. Above all I want to ensure your safety and so when we agree to start a process I will require personal details, such as the address you will be located at during the sessions, your ID number, medical aid details etc. That way if there is an emergency I know where to send help, or who to contact to support you. However, you will not need to sign in with any personal details to the online platform

 

I am not in South Africa and would like online sessions?

I only offer online therapy within South Africa. Typically, the psychologist needs to be registered with the regulatory body in the country where the person is receiving therapy. I am currently registered with the Health Professions Counsel of South Africa and no international regulatory bodies.

 

I still have questions

Please submit a message here or email me if you have further questions.