Practice Update
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Psychiatric treatment is tailored to the individual and may involve one or more approaches over time. This can include regular follow-up appointments, talking through patterns and stressors, addressing lifestyle factors, support with coping and functioning, providing different kinds of therapy, collaboration with therapists or other healthcare providers, and, where appropriate, medication. The aim is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to support recovery, stability, and quality of life in a way that fits your needs and circumstances.
Most people benefit from starting with the most accessible level of care, i.e. where you don’t have to wait too long for an appointment, and where the rates are less expensive. In the private sector, this is often a GP, counsellor, or psychologist. In the public sector, a local primary health care clinic – where a nurse or mental health nurse can assess and guide care – is an appropriate and important first step. If symptoms are complex, severe, or not responding to initial support, referral to a psychiatrist may then be recommended.
Each plays a different role in mental health care. GP’s (general practitioners) are often a good starting point for initial assessment and basic treatment, especially when physical and emotional symptoms overlap, and also for ongoing care after psychiatric consultation. Psychologists and counsellors focus on therapy, coping skills, and emotional processing. Psychiatrists are medical specialists who assess complex mental health conditions, clarify diagnoses, provide therapy and lifestyle support, and change medication when needed, such as when symptoms are severe, persistent, or not improving with other care. Many people receive multidisciplinary care from more than one practitioner, depending on specific needs.
Since psychiatry is a scarce resource in South Africa, there are usually long waiting times. In the private sector, this can range from a few weeks to several months; in the public sector, waits may be longer depending on availability and urgency. While waiting, it’s important not to delay care – support from a GP, psychologist, counsellor, or a primary health care clinic (where a nurse or mental health nurse can assist) can provide assessment, treatment, and ongoing support. If symptoms worsen or safety becomes a concern, seek urgent help through your nearest clinic, emergency department, or online crisis service.
The first consultation is a structured, clinician-led conversation to understand what you’re experiencing and how it’s affecting your life. In my first consultations, we usually talk about your main concerns and what you’re hoping for, and I ask questions about your life, your health, your symptoms, and your functioning, to build a clear picture of the different factors shaping your mental health. This assessment is often spread over two or more appointments to allow time for understanding rather than trying to cover everything at once. We’ll also talk about how your symptoms fit together, whether a diagnosis is appropriate and explore treatment options.
Not always. Sometimes a diagnosis can be made in an initial consultation, but often more than one appointment is needed to fully understand what’s going on. Psychiatric diagnosis is based on patterns over time, not just a single conversation, and it’s important to get this right. If a diagnosis is considered, it will be discussed with you openly and carefully, in order to guide understanding and treatment.
This is a part-time practice.
For email communication, please allow several days before expecting a reply.
For Whatsapp communication, please respect general weekday working hours when sending any communication. Afterhours and weekend communication will not be responded to.
Consultations are charged at rates that are recommended by Healthman, and are updated every year. First consultations should be paid via EFT or card machine on the day, and claimed back from your medical aid by you. For follow up consultations, we can submit the claim directly to your medical aid, and if not paid, send you a statement.
It is not guaranteed that your medical aid will cover your consultations; it is your responsibility to find out from your medical aid. Please note that medical aids only pay for PMB conditions.
Should you have questions, please contact the practice directly to discuss our billing policy.