Frequently asked questions
The questions people most often arrive with. If yours is not here, ask us.
- How do I know which kind of professional I need?
- That is the hardest question, and it is the one this site was built for. South Africa registers psychology professionals in eight categories with legally different scopes of practice. The profession guides explain what each one does, what they cannot do, and which ones are commonly confused with each other.
- Does medical aid cover seeing a psychologist?
- Often partly, but it depends on your scheme, your plan, and whether you have available benefits. Some practitioners claim directly from your scheme; others give you an invoice to claim back yourself, which means you pay up front.
- Can I see someone online?
- Many practitioners offer online consultations, and you can filter for it in the directory. Online widens your options considerably if you are outside a major centre. In several provinces, it may be the most realistic route to accessing a professional.
- What does the "Verified" badge mean?
- Every published professional’s registration is checked against the public HPCSA register before their profile goes live. The verification date and HPCSA registration number appear on the professional’s profile so you can check it yourself. It means only that: we looked the registration up on the day stated. It is not an endorsement or a quality rating, it is not a judgement of clinical competence or fitness to practise, and the HPCSA does not endorse Phapano Directory or any profile on it.
- Do you book appointments for me?
- No. You contact the professional directly using the details on their profile. We are not told whether you made contact, and your details are never passed on.