The workshop is built for people who already know they need to talk to someone but keep stalling on the practical parts. Over four evenings we work through how referrals from a GP actually move, what a clinical psychologist may ask in an intake, and how medical aid authorisation tends to run in practice. Each session ends with a short written plan you can take into a first appointment.
We open with the filters that matter most: suburb, language of session, and whether evening or weekend slots exist. You will practise narrowing a shortlist down to three practices and checking registration numbers on the HPCSA register.
CBT, psychodynamic, systemic and play therapy for children are not interchangeable. This block explains what each one looks like in the room, how long people usually stay, and which concerns tend to suit which frame.
A working walkthrough of authorisation, PMB applications and the difference between a registered counsellor and a clinical psychologist when a claim is submitted. Bring your scheme name and plan type to the session.
How video sessions are set up, what to check about privacy at home, and how to end with one therapist and start with another without dragging it out. We draft the short message you would send.
The last evening is about feedback. You will write a structured review covering consultation style, waiting time and how comfortable the intake felt, then compare it with what others have written for practices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria.
Not sure where this fits in the wider sequence? Read the step-by-step process or look at the approaches we compare before you book.
A few definitions we hold to, so nothing on this page is read as a promise we cannot keep. These notes apply to every workshop format listed here, whether it runs in a practice room in Johannesburg or over a telehealth link.
Feedback published on ThinkGroup describes one person's experience of a consultation style, waiting time or intake. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or a substitute for an assessment by a registered clinical psychologist.
Group workshops on referral pathways, medical aid claims and first-session preparation are educational sessions. They do not replace individual psychotherapy, and facilitators do not take on attendees as clients afterwards.
A clinical psychologist, a counselling psychologist and a registered counsellor each work within a different scope. Where a listing claims a registration, we ask for the HPCSA number before the entry stays visible.
Whether a session is reimbursed depends on your scheme, your plan type and the practitioner's registration category. We explain how claims usually work, but we cannot confirm what your medical aid will pay.
Online sessions suit many concerns, but not all. Some assessments, play therapy for younger children and crisis situations need a room. Facilitators will say so upfront rather than adapt a format that does not fit.
A practitioner can claim a profile and reply to feedback in their own words. Claiming does not remove or reorder reviews, and we do not edit a review because a practice disagrees with it.
These come up often in reviews and intake notes. Short answers, no legal padding.
It depends on what you are bringing into the room. A clinical psychologist registered with the HPCSA can assess, diagnose and work with complex presentations. A registered counsellor works within a narrower scope and generally does not diagnose. If you are unsure, start with a GP referral or call the practice directly and ask what they typically handle. Reviews on this site often mention which route the client took and whether it matched their needs.
The first hour is usually an intake, not treatment. The psychologist will ask why you came, how you have been sleeping, what your relationships look like and whether you have seen anyone before. You are not required to disclose everything on day one. It is normal to leave unsure whether the fit is right. Many practices offer a shorter trial period before you commit to weekly sessions, and you can ask for that.
Most South African medical aids cover a set number of sessions per year from a registered psychologist, sometimes with a co-payment. You usually pay the practice and claim back, unless the psychologist bills the scheme directly. Check whether your plan covers the specific registration category and whether a GP referral is required. Reviews often note how long reimbursements took and whether the practice helped with the paperwork.
Yes. Ending with one practitioner and starting with another is a normal part of the process. A short, direct conversation in the final session is usually enough, and most psychologists will help with a referral. When you call the next person, mention what worked and what did not. You do not have to start from zero. The practical side, like medical aid authorisation and waiting lists, is worth asking about on that first call.
It varies by practice and suburb. Some psychologists keep two or three late slots per week, others work strictly office hours. Telehealth has made it easier for people in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria to see someone outside their own area. When you filter listings on this site, you can check whether evening or weekend availability is noted, and reviews sometimes mention how long the wait was for a preferred time.
You can add feedback about consultation style, waiting times, session fees, medical aid claims and how comfortable you felt during intake. Reviews are structured so the next person can compare practices without wading through vague praise. Practitioners can claim their listing and respond. If you want to understand how we handle your details, see the privacy policy, or reach the team through the contact page.
The workshop side of ThinkGroup is where directory data turns into something you can actually use. Each format below covers a different part of the work, from reading structured client feedback to sitting in on a live intake review. Pick the one that matches what you need right now.
A guided walk through published reviews for one city, filtered by approach and session language. We look at how waiting times, medical aid claims and intake comfort show up in the feedback, and where the gaps are.
For psychologists, psychotherapists and counselling practices who want their listing to hold up. We go through registration details, scope of practice, telehealth availability and how to reply to feedback without sounding defensive.
A working session on the practical path: what a GP referral letter needs to say, how medical aid authorisation is requested, and what to ask on a first phone call before you book. Useful if you are starting therapy for the first time.
Not sure which format fits? The process page sets out the order most people follow, and the approach page explains how reviews are collected and checked before they go live.