Psychologist fees in South Africa, 2026
The median fee a South African psychologist publishes for one individual session is R1 200. That comes from 723 psychologists who publish a fee, read in the week of 19 October 2026. Half of them publish a fee between R1 000 and R1 300. For a couple session the median is R1 300, from 462 psychologists who publish a couple rate.
These are rates practitioners publish. They are not quotes, and the fee you pay can differ.
Where these numbers come from
This directory lists 7 604 psychologists, counsellors and psychometrists. Of them, 1 382 (18%) publish an individual session fee. Of these 1 382 fees, 1 324 come from the practitioner's Psychology Today profile, 42 from their own website (read in October 2026), 12 from their booking page (read in October 2026) and 4 from their RecoMed profile. No fee in our data comes from Bookem, Fresha, Medpages, Therapist Directory, TherapyRoute or the HPCSA register.
The median is the middle value: half of the published fees are higher and half are lower. The "middle half" runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. We use medians because a few very high or very low fees would pull an average off course.
Practitioners who publish a fee may not be typical of those who do not. Treat these numbers as a guide to published rates.
Fees by category
Across all three categories, the median published fee for one session is R950 (from 1 382 practitioners), and the middle half runs from R600 to R1 200.
| Category | Fees published | Median, one person | Middle half | Median, couple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologists | 723 | R1 200 | R1 000 to R1 300 | R1 300 (462) |
| Counsellors | 654 | R600 | R500 to R700 | R750 (525) |
| Psychometrists | 5 | R650 | R550 to R750 | fewer than 5 |
| All three | 1 382 | R950 | R600 to R1 200 | R1 000 (989) |
Only 5 psychometrists publish a fee, which is too few to say much about psychometrist fees in general. Psychologist, counsellor or psychometrist explains the three categories.
Fees by province
Where fewer than 5 practitioners publish a fee, we do not show a median.
| Province | Psychologists: median (fees) | Counsellors: median (fees) | All three categories: median (fees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Cape | R1 205 (212) | R650 (288) | R850 (500) |
| Gauteng | R1 200 (346) | R600 (240) | R1 000 (589) |
| KwaZulu-Natal | R1 200 (57) | R535 (60) | R900 (117) |
| Eastern Cape | R1 100 (33) | R550 (24) | R900 (58) |
| Free State | R1 000 (24) | R450 (9) | R950 (33) |
| North West | R1 000 (27) | R375 (6) | R950 (33) |
| Mpumalanga | R1 175 (8) | R500 (9) | R750 (18) |
| Limpopo | R1 200 (12) | R525 (12) | R1 000 (24) |
| Northern Cape | fewer than 5 fees | R500 (6) | R600 (10) |
Provinces with at least 20 published fees have their own guide with a city table, such as the Western Cape and Gauteng.
What medical aid covers
Medical aid cover for psychology depends on your scheme and your plan, so the only reliable answer comes from your scheme. In general terms:
- Many plans pay for psychology sessions from day-to-day benefits or from your medical savings account. When that money is used up, you pay yourself.
- Some plans have a separate benefit for mental health care, which may limit the number of sessions.
- Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) are conditions every scheme must cover under the Medical Schemes Act. Some mental health conditions are on that list. Whether your sessions are paid as a PMB depends on the diagnosis code and your scheme's rules.
- Schemes pay at their own rate. If a practitioner charges more than the scheme rate, you pay the difference.
Of the 5 669 psychologists in this directory, 751 (13%) say on a profile that they work with medical aid. Our guide Medical aid and therapy in South Africa lists the schemes practitioners name and the questions to ask your scheme.
A published rate and a quote
A published rate is the fee a practitioner published when we read it. A quote is what the practitioner tells you that you will pay for your sessions. They can differ because:
- fees change, and a profile is not always updated
- assessments, reports and longer sessions are often priced differently
- a practitioner may charge you the medical aid rate, or agree a reduced rate
- a couple or family session is priced differently from an individual one
Ask the practitioner what you will pay, and whether they claim from your medical aid or you pay and claim back, before your first session.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychologist cost per session in South Africa?
The median published fee for one individual session is R1 200, from 723 psychologists who publish a fee (October 2026). Half publish between R1 000 and R1 300.
How much does a couples session with a psychologist cost?
The median published couple rate is R1 300, from 462 psychologists who publish one (October 2026).
What do counsellors charge per session?
The median published fee for one session with a counsellor is R600, from 654 counsellors who publish a fee (October 2026). Half publish between R500 and R700.
Does medical aid pay for a psychologist?
It depends on your plan. Sessions may be paid from savings, from a mental health benefit, or as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit. Ask your scheme before you book.
Why can my fee differ from the fee on a listing?
A listing shows the rate the practitioner published when we collected it. It is not a quote. Fees change, and some sessions are priced differently. Ask the practitioner before you book.