A specialist wellness counsellor is a member with an applicable postgraduate qualification on NQF level 8 (has a post-graduate degree, like an Honours) who focuses on providing counselling services specifically related to wellness and well-being. Their focus is on helping individuals improve and maintain their overall wellness in various dimensions of their lives. Specialist wellness counsellors may work in various settings, including private practice, wellness centres, corporate wellness programs, educational institutions, or healthcare facilities. Their primary goal is to empower individuals to cultivate a balanced and fulfilling life, optimize their overall well-being, and prevent the onset of mental health challenges through proactive measures.

The Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) is an organization in South Africa that comprises healthcare practitioners. It serves as a governing body, establishing guidelines for professional conduct and ethical behaviour among practitioners in areas such as wellness counselling, holistic health, and related fields. Consequently, being a specialist wellness counsellor affiliated with ASCHP in South Africa indicates that the practitioner is acknowledged for their ethical and professional approach to the counselling profession.

Unfortunately, we operate on a cash-only basis for our services, which mean we do not accept medical aid reimbursements.

A sliding scale refers to a flexible pricing structure where the fee of the counselling services is adjusted based on your income or ability to pay. This is only applicable to individuals who are eligible (this will be determined based of your income, or financial situation).

Counselling is a process that is unique to each client and the challenges they face. Some challenges can be worked on effectively in a short period of sessions (6-8 sessions), whereas other challenges may take longer. It is challenging to predict exactly how many sessions is necessary, but this can be discussed in the first session.

Online sessions will usually be held over Microsoft Teams. You can easily download the app on your phone, or laptop, and create and create your account. After you have successfully booked your session, you will be sent an email with a link. You will be able to join your session via that link on Teams. If you honestly cannot access Microsoft Teams, you can contact bianca@hopefulhorizons.co.za to make other arrangements.

Some clients prefer to pay for a few of their counselling sessions in advance, to keep them accountable. Counselling can be scary, and working on ourselves aren’t always our priority. By paying for a few sessions in advance keeps us accountable to go to the session, and to carry on working on our wellbeing. Also, if you buy your sessions as a package, you pay at a discount!

Online counseling can be just as effective as in-person counselling. Numerous studies have shown that online counselling, also known as e-counseling, can produce positive outcomes comparable to traditional in-person counselling.

Three factors that are also beneficial about online counselling are:

• It provides access to people who may face barriers to in-person sessions, such as people living in remote areas, people with physical limitations, or people with transportation difficulties.
• It offers flexibility in scheduling sessions, allowing clients to attend their sessions from the comfort of their own homes or any location with an internet connection.
• It can provide a greater sense of anonymity and privacy, which can encourage people to open up and share more freely about their concerns.

It is still important to note that online counseling may not be suitable for everyone, as some simply prefer the in-person interaction, and certain modalities and treatments may require the client to be in person with the professional.