From the practice
The Wholistic blog
Practical guides on pricing, billing, and running a South African mental health private practice — written for practitioners, not accountants.
3 October 2026 · 6 min read
What to include in a counselling intake form (with a free template)
A counseling intake form example for South African practitioners: the sections to include, what to leave out, and a couples version. Free template.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 8 min read
Counselling consent form: what it must cover in South Africa
What a counselling consent form in South Africa should cover: confidentiality, fees, online sessions, POPIA and consent for minors. Free template.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 7 min read
SOAP notes for therapists: how to write them, with examples
SOAP notes for therapists explained: what goes in each section, two worked examples, common mistakes and how to write therapy notes quickly.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
HPCSA record keeping: how long to keep client notes
What the HPCSA guidelines on the keeping of patient records say about how long to keep client notes, records of minors, storage and confidentiality.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 5 min read
ICD-10 anxiety codes: F41.9, F41.1 and F41.2 explained
ICD-10 F41.9, F41.1, F41.2 and F41.0 explained for South African practitioners: what each anxiety code means and when to use it on a claim.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
How to reduce no-shows in therapy
How to reduce no-shows in therapy: reminders, a clear cancellation policy, easy rescheduling and a fair no-show fee for South African practices.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
BHF practice number: what it is and how to get one
What a BHF practice number is, how to apply for one, what it costs, how renewal works and how to search for a practice number in South Africa.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 5 min read
HPCSA CPD points: how to check them online
How to do an HPCSA CPD points check online: logging in to the CPD portal, reading your status, uploading certificates and fixing missing points.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 9 min read
Starting a private practice in South Africa: a step-by-step guide for counsellors and psychologists
Starting a private practice in South Africa as a psychologist or counsellor: registration, practice number, insurance, fees, forms and first clients.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
HPCSA CPD deadline: how many points you need and when
Is there an HPCSA CPD deadline? How many CPD points you need, how the 12-month cycle works, ethics points and how to get your compliance certificate.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
HPCSA registration: renewal, fees and your certificate
HPCSA registration explained: requirements, the registration form, annual fees, how to renew online and how to get your registration certificate.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 4 min read
How to find or check an HPCSA registration number
How to find or check an HPCSA registration number on the HPCSA’s public register, what the number shows, and where practitioners should display it.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 7 min read
Medical aid claim rejected: common reasons and how to fix them
The common medical aid claim rejected reasons for South African practitioners, how to fix and resubmit, how to appeal, and when to bill the client.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 5 min read
How long does medical aid take to pay? Payment run dates explained
How long does medical aid take to pay a claim in South Africa? The 30-day rule, payment run dates, the four-month deadline and how to chase late claims.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
Discovery medical aid claims for psychologists: how to submit and what gets rejected
How psychologists and counsellors submit a Discovery medical aid claim, what the claim must contain, why claims are rejected and how to reconcile payments.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 7 min read
How much do psychologists earn in South Africa?
How much do psychologists earn in South Africa? Salary figures for employed psychologists, and how to work out private practice income per month.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
Psychologist fees in South Africa: what to charge per session
Psychologist fees in South Africa: what psychologists and counsellors charge per session, how medical aid rates compare, and how to set your own fee.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
Online therapy in South Africa: HPCSA telehealth guidelines
The HPCSA telehealth guidelines explained for therapists: consent, confidentiality, records and how to run online therapy sessions in South Africa.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 6 min read
Online booking for therapists: benefits and how it works
The benefits of an online booking system for therapists: what it is, how it works, what it costs and what to look for in a private practice.
Read the guide3 October 2026 · 7 min read
How to get referrals as a psychologist
How to get referrals as a psychologist or counsellor in South Africa: who refers, how to ask, how to refer a client on, and what a referral letter needs.
Read the guide29 July 2026 · 7 min read
Getting Your HPCSA Registration Number
The path from passing your board exam to full HPCSA registration — for Psychologists, Registered Counsellors, and Psychometrists. Requirements, application steps, and fees.
Read the guide29 July 2026 · 6 min read
Getting a BHF Practice Number (PCNS Registration)
How to apply for the BHF practice number — via the Practice Code Numbering System — that every medical scheme requires before it will recognise you as a provider or process claims.
Read the guide29 July 2026 · 7 min read
Which Medical Aids to Register With First, and How
You don't need 8 registrations, you need 3. How to register with Discovery Health, Medscheme, and Momentum Health Solutions to get recognised across every major South African medical scheme.
Read the guide29 July 2026 · 5 min read
HPCSA Mental Health Categories — Scope of Practice Reference
How each HPCSA-registered mental health category functions in current professional practice — training pathway, typical focus, and common referral boundaries — for Registered Counsellors through Clinical Psychologists.
Read the guide23 July 2026 · 7 min read
How much should Registered Counsellors and Psychologists charge?
A guide to setting private practice cash rates, benchmarked against the average 2026 tariffs across 8 major South African medical aid schemes.
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