Your Online Counselling Questions Answered Here
Let us know if there is anything not answered on this page
Managing Bookings
- You will be directed to a bookings page.
- Select your general availability in days and times and you will be given specific options after that.
- Make your selection, go through the payment process, and you will receive your confirmation via email.
Video guide to logging in and booking a session
Please remember that this must be done a minimum of 24 hours before your appointment.
- Please LOG IN to your account to view your bookings. (Your account username and password would have been sent via email)
- Select the appointment that you wish to cancel or reschedule.
- Confirm the cancellation or reschedule your appointment for another available time.
- The original appointment will have been cancelled or moved to another time slot.
The selection may already be full for that particular Counsellor.
Please try another time or date or counsellor.
When making your booking, and after choosing your date and time, please choose the repeat booking option.
You will be able to choose different days and times to schedule your multiple sessions at the same time.
Proceed to checkout and receive an email confirming your booking.
Everything Counselling & Counsellor related
All TherapyNow Counsellors are:
Qualified:
Degree; diploma; accredited course
Experienced:
You can check the level on the personal bio's
Bound by a Code of Ethics
And to TherapyNow T&C's
You have Client Rights
If you are asking yourself these questions,
- "Who is this Counsellor?"
- "Why should I trust them and my secrets?"
- "Are they qualified to provide counselling to me or my loved one?"
Good for you! Please engage in the Bio provided for each Counsellor to help you decide who to speak to.
Give your Counsellor a chance and understand that you may need more than one session to "click".
Counselling is a challenging process and your Counsellor is there to walk the journey with you - however difficult that may be.
You are able to search by qualification, field of interest, or price.
As your story and your process are unique to you, you will see your Counsellor for as long as you need to.
You may spend a long time or a short period working through various issues and stages, and only your individual process will set the pace.
You may also ask - How often should I see my Counsellor?
Again, you will work out together with your Counsellor. If you have a crisis, then it may be daily for a time. If you are managing well, then perhaps monthly.
Your TherapyNow Counsellor will walk this journey with you.
Usually a therapeutic process last anywhere between 3 months - 2 years.
You can book sessions for any available slots - as many as you would like.
Counsellors may be available from as early as 06h00 or late as 20h00.
Your Counsellor may also be willing to engage via WhatsApp messages.
You can work this out with your Counsellor during your sessions.
You've booked a session and it's absolutely normal to feel uncomfortable or apprehensive. You may even consider canceling last minute.
Give yourself credit for making a positive choice and getting support.
You will be invited to share what brings you to counselling. Your TherapyNow Counsellor will guide the conversation to better understand your history, your present, and how you want your future to look.
Remember that this is a safe space.
Learning to trust your TherapyNow Counselling and feeling comfortable is an essential part of the process of counselling.
You have a right to privacy and your confidentiality will be maintained. This is also required for a counsellor by the ethical board (HPCSA).
Only those you choose to share that with, will know.
Yes.
To create a safe space your TherapyNow Counsellor will keep all your secrets that you share with them, except in the event of safety concerns. In such an event, your Counsellor will be honest with you and let you know what they are obligated to do.
Safety concerns are not any of your secrets EXCEPT:
If you are going to harm yourself or another human being.
The abuse of a minor or dependent adult.
TherapyNow can assist and support you with almost any issue you may be facing.
What ever it is that you are struggling with, it is helpful to speak to someone about it.
We have a pool of resources to draw from and will refer you into our network of experts if required.
Please run through a brief list of potential issues here
You can book individual sessions or a 1 month structured package.
You can book sessions for any available slots - as many as you would like.
Counsellors may be available from as early as 06h00 or late as 20h00.
Your Counsellor may also be willing to engage via WhatsApp messages.
You can work this out with your Counsellor during your sessions.
Yes it does.
Studies have shown that you reap the same benefits as in-room sessions.
FAQ's on Online Counselling
Online counselling is a way to communicate with a mental health professional via an internet platform like a phone or computer. This can include messaging, live chat, phone calls, or video chat.
Online counsellors are qualified mental health professionals, and most provide similar treatments online as they do in person.
Studies have shown that the benefits of online counselling are the same as in-room counselling.
Almost anyone.
At TherapyNow:
- We carefully listen to your story without judgment
- We listen to what you are saying and what you are not saying
- We work through each issue, with you, as it comes up
- We work with you to shift what you want to change
- We do not assume, we simply offer support, guidance & tools
The Counsellor will help you gain a new perspective and receive support.
The exception to the above is individuals with suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, or psychosis. They should see a Psychiatrist in person immediately or seek emergency help. (Numbers here)
Online or virtual counselling is extremely effective for many types of mental health concerns.
Studies have shown that online counselling is as effective as in-person counselling.
Online counselling holds many further benefits as it is more accessible, discreet, convenient, and affordable.
Yes, most definitely.
All your conversations are between yourself and your Counsellor. Your Counsellor is bound by a code of ethics and may not share your issues without your permission.
Full confidentiality is upheld unless there are safety concerns. In such a case, your Counsellor will be honest with you and let you know what they are obligated to do.
Safety concerns are not any of your secrets EXCEPT:
If you are going to harm yourself or another human being.
The abuse of a minor or dependent adult.
Virtual counselling is also discreet as no one will know you are in counselling unless you let them know. There is no chance of running into someone you know in a waiting room or having to cover up your whereabouts.
General & Information
Only counsellors that have a practice number and indicate on the website in their personal bio whether they are able to assist with counselling via medical aid.
Sessions must first be booked and paid for by the client before claiming medical aid.
The counsellor will effortlessly assist you with all the paperwork regarding your claim and this will not fall under the responsibility of TherapyNow.
Have a look at our comprehensive Resources page here
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Join our Communities:
Most definitely.
Mental health wellness is proven to help employees to:
- feel supported and valued
- be more productive - less "off days"
- be happier
- get results
Plus TherapyNow is discreet, affordable and accessible anywhere.
Please read more about Corporate Employee Wellness here
Contact us to have a conversation around what you need (email)
Our Approach & Counsellors
You have a right to be heard. And helped.
You can tell your story, in your own words and narrative, about your lived experiences and how it’s impacted your present thinking, ability to feel, and ability to engage in decision making.
When one has an opportunity to tell your story in your own words, in a space that is safe, and without fear of judgment or condemnation, one is freed from the heaviness of holding it all in. One can process the emotion: Shame. Guilt. Helplessness. Powerlessness. Sadness. Despair. Anger. Rage.
Speaking your truth may be terrifying, liberating, relieving, cathartic.
You may be uncomfortable or not even have the words. Especially if you are used to keeping it all in.
When you are ready to speak, reach out. Schedule a session to feel out this whole counselling thing.
Your TherapyNow Counsellor will meet you where you are at – whether you’re comfortable voicing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences – or uncomfortable because it might be your first time.
We will ask you to teach us first about how you’ve coped and survived because there is strength in that. And then we will ask you what you’d like from us, how best we could support you. We will not assume to know what is best for you. We will offer thoughts, guidance, tools, and support with credible training and experience to back it up.
TherapyNow Counsellors has experience from one of the most exclusive and innovative Treatment Centres in South Africa. They are able to assist you with insight, compassion, and non-judgment.
Schedule your counselling sessions online to start your journey. You can read more about our Online Recovery Outpatient Programme here.
DISCREET
AFFORDABLE
ACCESSIBLE ANYWHERE
TherapyNow's skilled and experienced Counsellors have an integrated approach and use therapies that are designed specifically to support your personal growth journey as an individual.
We may recommend additional counsellors or tools to assist you on your journey.
Psychoeducation
Information provided verbally in counselling sessions; written material in the form of psychology tools information handouts, video guides, or courseware designed to augment therapeutic effects.
Nutrition
How cognitive choices, such as meal decisions, influence nutrition, psychological health, and overall health and wellbeing. Providing professional support as needed.
Sleep hygiene routines
Strong sleep hygiene means having both a bedroom environment and daily routines that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep.
Somatic therapies
Somatic therapies are body-centered modalities that facilitate the connection of mind, emotions and body for holistic healing.
Affirmations
Affirmations are positive reminders or statements that can be used to encourage and motivate yourself or others. Shifting away from negative thought patterns to encourage better self-talk conversations.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment - fully aware of where you are and what you're doing. Not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is happening around to you.
Exercise & physical movement
Exercise / yoga / dance / Pilates / martial arts etc. Physical movement helps re-energise the mind and body and provides an outlet and assists in regulating feelings.
Meditation
Meditation is about focused attention and awareness. Observing your thoughts and feelings without judgement. Simply noting them for what they are. There are various techniques and assistive tools to help you gain clarity, a sense of calm and new perspective.
Journaling
Journaling or writing counselling involves writing down your thoughts and feelings to give them a space to go and provide clarity around them.
Boundaries
Defining boundaries is a process of determining what behaviour you will accept from other people and what you will not. Boundaries show where one thing ends and another begins.