Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

According to the HPCSA, “the use of a psychometric measuring devices, tests, questionnaires, techniques or instruments that assesses intellectual or cognitive ability or functioning, aptitude, interest, personality make-up or personality functioning in patients is constituted as being a psychological act. This, in view of possible harm and management implications of persons who may be adversely affected by test outcomes, requires appropriate professional qualifications, skills and experience”, just like therapy.

Unfortunately, registration alone does not insure competence and prospective clients should verify the credentials of therapists to ensure that they are not mislead.

The following are some guidelines to assist in educating the public:

Psychologists

All psychologists in South Africa have obtained a Bachelor’s degree (usually BA or BSc with Psychology and another subject as their majors), followed by an Honnour’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in the selected registration category (as listed below). This is then followed by an accredited internship and, in the case of Clinical Psychology, a year of Community Service. Some psychologists have also completed an academic research doctorate and are then referred to as Dr So and So or So and So PhD (although this is not required for registration as a Psychologist in South Africa).

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and intervene in order to alleviate or contain relatively serious forms of psychological distress and psychopathology, or what is commonly referred to as “abnormal” behaviour.  I studied at both the University of Pretoria and the North-West University where I obtained the following degreesBA (UP); BA Hons Psych (NWU); MA Clin Psych (NWU)

Counselling Psychologists

Counselling psychologists assist relatively well-adjusted people in dealing with normal problems of life concerning all stages and aspects of a person’s existence in order to facilitate desirable psychological adjustment, growth, and maturity.

Educational Psychologists

Educational psychologists assess, diagnose and intervene in order to facilitate the psychological adjustment and development of children and adolescents within the contexts of family, school, social or peer groups and communities.

Industrial Psychologists

Industrial psychologists apply the principles of psychology to issues related to the work situation of relatively well-adjusted adults in order to optimise individual, group and organisational well-being and effectiveness.

Research Psychologists

Research psychologists address any of the above professional categories, not to render services (i.e. therapy) to the public in that field, but to apply research methods and techniques in order to contribute to the knowledge base of that particular field.

Psychometrists

Psychometrists are psychological professionals with special expertise in the use of Psychological tests (i.e., select, administer, score, and interpret), may practice and bill independently (privately) or work in an organisation. When it comes to reporting the results, the psychologist needs to take final responsibility for the contents of the report, but the psychometrist may contribute to the content and sign the report. Psychometrists do not offer therapy, but are also required to register with the HPCSA as they offer a psychological service.

Registered Counsellors

The category of Registered Counsellors is fairly new in South Africa. This category was intended to allow greater access and affordability to the greater public seeking professional services for mental health concerns. The R.C.’s have completed a 4 year B.Psych (or B. Psych equivalence) degree, which either included an internship or required an internship after completion of the degree. In essence R.C.’s do not offer therapy, but rather short-term, supportive counselling that focuses on the presenting problem and finding solutions in the management thereof. The R.C.’s are also registered with the HPCSA and therefor have to comply with a strict ethical code and are governed by law.

Previously, R.C.’s were divided into categories including, trauma, employee assistance, pastoral, sports, HIV and Aids, school, etc. Those categories are no longer applicable, although there are still R.C.’s that are known as Trauma Counsellors. Please be informed that because counselling is not regulated by law, as therapy is, there are many different kinds of counsellors, who have completed a variety courses and certificate programs in order to offer advice and support, but are not regulated by the HPCSA.

Social Worker

Social Workers register with the South African Council for the Social Services Professions (SACSSP).According to the very informative Wits website: “Social workers work in various fields of service such as community development; child protection; child and family welfare; youth programmes; disability; health; education; the workplace; and social policy development. Social Workers are sought after in any context related to people and their environments. Because the focus of social work is so broad, from everyday life to highly complex situations, practitioners deal with all kinds of people that are impacted by different aspects of situations.

Most social workers develop special expertise in their chosen areas, such as addressing the social needs of employees in large companies, working with the often neglected senior citizens of our country, helping communities find better ways to deal with problems such as crime and abuse of alcohol or drugs, and working with young people who are neglected or abused.

All social workers assist people in “direct” ways, for instance, by being involved in developing, empowering and changing individuals, families, groups and communities and indirectly through administering people-serving organisations; supervising or providing consultation to other professionals; and conducting research that could help the profession increase its knowledge about the interactions between people and society, and to learn better ways of intervention into difficult circumstances or when these transactions between people and their environments fail to occur.”http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/humanities/umthombo/socialwork/7292/the_profession.html. Some Social Workers have also acquired expertise in providing therapy to individuals, groups and families.

Pastoral Counsellor/ Therapist

“Pastoral counselling is different from mainstream forms of counselling, as pastoral counselling is guided by the conviction that emotional distress or problems can best be addressed by taking into consideration both spiritual aspects and knowledge of human psychology” (http://www.pastoral/explorefaith.org.Pastoral Counseling.htm).

In South Africa this kind of therapy falls outside the regulation of the law and the practitioners are not required to belong to any governing or regulatory body. There are, however, associations that can guide these professions in the quality of service they provide such as The Southern African Association of Pastoral Work (SAAP) and The Association of Christian Counsellors in South Africa (ACCSA).

Psychiatrists

A Psychiatrist has the same basic training as a General Practitioner – in South Africa usually a MBCHB – and has then completed the requirements for specialist registration in the field of mental health (lasting a total of 12 years!). Doctors registered in this category have a combination of skills from both the biological and behavioural sciences and can offer a unique perspective on the cause and course of a psychological issue. In South Africa very few Psychiatrists offer psychotherapy and tend to focus on pharmacotherapy (the treatment of disease through the administration of medication).

When seeking assistance from a Psychiatrist for a problem it is highly advisable to simultaneously enter into therapy with a Psychologist in order to ensure that both the biological and behavioural aspects of the problem is addressed. All Psychiatrists have to be registered with the HPCSA and the South African Society for Psychiatrists (SASOP). For a very clear breakdown of the difference between Psychologists and Psychiatrists, their training, roles, fees and membership please visit http://www.psychotherapy.co.za/GeckoLinks_show.asp?TYP=7&EntryID=859.

Play Therapist

Children communicate through play and Play Therapy offers them a way to express their feelings, thoughts and even subconscious desires and needs. Play Therapy can be very beneficial to children who are not yet able to express themselves and some of the techniques can be adapted to older children, families and even adults, in the form of Art Therapy, Psychodrama and Sandtray Therapy.

For a brief period, one could qualify as a Play Therapist in South Africa. However, as this category was not acknowledged by any regulatory body (especially the HPCSA), this training is currently only offered as part of degrees in Psychology and Social Work and professionals offering this kind of therapy must meet the training and registration requirements of one of the above mentioned categories.

Psychiatric Nurses

Much like Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurses have a degree in a medical field (in this case usually a B.Cur) and then further specialized in mental health in a post graduate degree/s or diploma. They have to be registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC), which regulates all their training and professional practice.

Although most Psychiatric Nurses are employed in the public sector, such as Mental Health Hospitals and Clinics, some do offer private consultation where they can assess, diagnose, and treat individuals or families with psychiatric disorders, identify risk factors for such disorders and address the therapeutic needs of those involved.