Question 1

What is a Registered Counsellor (RC)?

Accepted Answer

Registered Counsellors (RCs), also known as psychological counsellors in South Africa, are highly trained mental health practitioners registered with Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). 
RCs are trained to work with multiculturally diverse populations in South Africa. They offer primary & preventive mental health care services to enhance well-being in diverse populations and may work with individuals, adults/minors, couples, families, and communities (including institutes, NGOs, and other businesses).

RCs are trained to provide: 
1. Short- to medium-term supportive counselling,
2. Professional practice and referral 
3. Psycho-education and training workshops (at a primary curative/preventative level)
4. Consultation (at primary curative/preventative level)
5. Psychological screening & assessments ( i.e. intellectual or scholastic abilities, aptitude, interests, career placement, personality profiling)
6. Research
7. Project management and implementation
8. Policy & standards implementation

Question 2

How do Registered Counsellors (RC) differ from Psychologists?

Accepted Answer

1. An RC differs from other categories of psychology in that they provide expertise in supportive and preventative mental health interventions to decrease the need for more intense and long term psychotherapy.
2. RCs do not provide diagnosis of any kind. They can screen one’s mental health status and are trained to provide appropriate referrals for clients who may need long term and intensive therapy. 
3. RCs can work short to long term but they usually work with clients on one challenge/presenting problem at a time.
 
As such, RCs' are often the first point of mental health screening and counselling for individuals and groups.

Question 3

What qualifications and training do HPCSA Registered Counsellors possess?

Accepted Answer

1. In order to become an RC one must complete: 
A 4 year Bachelors degree in Psychology (B Psych) or a B Psych honors equivalent program
2. 720 hours of field work or a 6 month practicum for the equivalent program that is supervised by a senior psychologist or registered counsellor  
3. A mini research thesis
 
Thereafter, one must pass the National Psychology board exams set by the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) with a minimum pass mark of 70%.

Question 4

What can I expect at a Free 15 min consultation?

Accepted Answer

The free 15min consultation is an opportunity for you to ask basic questions regarding your counselling needs/my services and you and I can discuss if we should work together. Thereafter, if we choose to work together, I will send you the necessary paperwork for you to read and sign before we can begin counselling. If we choose not to work together, I will be happy to discuss a referral with you. 
The Free 15 min consultation is hosted on an online video conferencing app (Zoom). 
NB: The consultation is not a counselling session nor does it replace the function of  counselling and assessments.

Question 5

What does it mean to 'give your Informed Consent' in counselling/therapy?

Accepted Answer

To give your informed consent means that sufficient information has been provided to you about the service you have requested and the credentials of the mental health practitioners providing the service to you. Furthermore, it also means that you fully understand the information and the implications thereof. The information is given to you so that you can voluntarily make an informed decision as to whether you want to participate in counselling/therapy with the respective mental health practitioners.  
 
It is important for your to understand and sign the Informed Consent Contract (ICC) before you can begin counselling services.

The contract will typically include the following information  (but is not limited to): 
1. Counsellor's credentials and qualification
2. Client Record Keep Policies
3. Confidentiality and Limitations to client confidentiality
4. Ethical Boundaries for Client-Counsellor

Question 6

Can my counsellor share my information with others?

Accepted Answer

Every individual has the right to privacy, and information shared between the client and the counsellor  is confidential. The counsellor is ethically bound not to share information discussed in sessions with any third-party, unless the client has provided written consent. 
 
The only exceptions where the counsellor must share the information are when:
1. The client is a danger to him or herself or others ( for example: a client shares their thoughts of harming another person and there is a possibility that these thoughts will turn into action).
2.  When a minor (a person under 18 years) and/or dependent adult is a victim of abuse and/neglect.
3. If subpoenaed and legally required to provide the court with information.

Question 7

What language does Nayana offer her services in?

Accepted Answer

Services are only offered in English.

Question 8

What can I expect at my first session?

Accepted Answer

Your counsellor uses the first session to ask questions and begin to build a connection with you. This typically includes questions and conversations that will help the counsellor understand what has brought you to counselling, your current challenges/symptoms, and your general context. It's also an opportunity for you to ask questions and clarify and concerns that you may have.
 
This can take  more than one session for some clients.

Th Counsellor will provide a suggested treatment plan/approach for counselling based on the information you have discussed. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinion of whether you feel comfortable working with the Counsellor – it is important that you should be comfortable with the counsellor you choose to work with.

Question 9

How long will the counselling process take?

Accepted Answer

Every client has unique circumstances, thus the frequency and duration of counselling will differ from client to client. The counsellor will evaluate the situation and discuss the individual plan with the client.
 
However, in practice it is found that depending on the severity of the problem/goal, clients usually see progress within the following time frames:
1 – 4 sessions
1 – 6 sessions
1 – 12 Sessions (for more severe cases)

Question 10

How often will I need to go to counselling?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of counselling sessions will depend on the client's needs.   
 
Options are as follows:
1.   Once a week
2.   Every second week
3.   Once a month

Question 11

How long does each counselling session take?

Accepted Answer

Session are adjusted according to the needs of the client. 
Typically counselling sessions for: 
 • Adults will consist of 51 minutes of counselling & 9 minutes of  administrative tasks. 
 • Children/Adolescents will consist of 45 minutes of counselling and 9 minutes of administrative tasks.

Question 12

Are there counselling services that Nayana does not provide?

Accepted Answer

I do not provide: 
 • diagnosis for mental health disorders
 • psychometric assessments
 • psycho-legal  services
​
In the event that I should be subpoenaed to testify in a legal case that you are involved in, I am obligated to disclose information that is otherwise confidential. The client will be responsible for the expenses incurred to prepare and provide the required professional services to the court.

Get started with a Free 15 min consultation

Nayana S. George
Registered Counsellor
(HPCSA)

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