How Much Does Therapy Cost in Pretoria? (2025)
#Therapy
Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Curious about therapy costs in Pretoria for 2025? This guide breaks down prices by neighbourhood and provider, explains medical aid coverage, and shares tips to help you find affordable, quality care without stress.
Back to Top
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the cost of therapy in Pretoria for the year 2025. It details pricing variations by provider type, neighbourhood, and service format, while also exploring factors such as medical aid coverage, affordable alternatives, and strategies for managing mental healthcare expenses in the administrative capital of South Africa.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Neighbourhood Cost Variations
- Medical Aid Coverage
- Affordable Therapy Options
- Online Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs in Pretoria
- Transportation Considerations
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Average therapy cost range: R900-R1,438 per session
- Psychiatrist consultation: R1,900-R3,680 initial, R1,400-R2,645 follow-up
- Medical aid coverage: Typically 15-20 sessions annually from savings/day-to-day benefits
- Neighborhood price difference: Up to 25% higher in Waterkloof vs. Mamelodi
- Affordable options: From R150 at university clinics to R633 for group therapy
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Initial Consultation | Follow-up Session | Telehealth Session | Medical Aid Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | R1,000-R1,610 | R900-R1,438 | R800-R1,208 | R800-R1,093 rate |
| Counselling Psychologist | R900-R1,438 | R800-R1,323 | R700-R1,093 | R750-R1,035 rate |
| Psychiatrist | R1,900-R3,680 | R1,400-R2,645 | R1,100-R2,070 | R1,200-R2,070 rate |
| Educational Psychologist | R950-R1,495 | R850-R1,323 | Assessment: R3,200-R8,625 | R750-R1,035 rate |
| Registered Counsellor | R650-R1,035 | R550-R920 | R500-R805 | Limited coverage |
| Clinical Social Worker | R650-R1,035 | R600-R920 | R500-R805 | Limited coverage |
| Psychiatric Nurse | R600-R978 | R550-R863 | R500-R805 | Limited coverage |
Neighbourhood Cost Variations
Hatfield/Brooklyn (Upper Mid-range)
- Clinical Psychologist: R1,000-R1,495 per session
- Psychiatrist: R1,900-R3,680 initial, R1,400-R2,645 follow-up
- Premium factor: 10-20% above city average
- Notable practices: Brooklyn Psychology Centre, Hatfield Therapy Hub
- Accessibility: Near Gautrain station, university, good parking options
Waterkloof/Menlo Park (Premium)
- Clinical Psychologist: R1,050-R1,610 per session
- Psychiatrist: R2,000-R3,795 initial, R1,500-R2,760 follow-up
- Premium factor: 15-25% above city average
- Notable practices: Waterkloof Wellness Centre, Menlo Park Psychology
- Accessibility: Limited public transport, excellent parking
Centurion (Mid-range)
- Clinical Psychologist: R900-R1,380 per session
- Psychiatrist: R1,800-R3,220 initial, R1,300-R2,300 follow-up
- Premium factor: At city average
- Notable practices: Centurion Therapy Centre, Highveld Psychology
- Accessibility: Near Gautrain station, good parking options
Arcadia/Sunnyside (Lower Mid-range)
- Clinical Psychologist: R850-R1,265 per session
- Psychiatrist: R1,700-R2,990 initial, R1,200-R2,185 follow-up
- Premium factor: 5-10% below city average
- Notable practices: Arcadia Counselling, Sunnyside Mental Health
- Accessibility: Good public transport options, limited parking
Mamelodi/Atteridgeville (Budget-friendly)
- Clinical Psychologist: R750-R1,093 per session
- Psychiatrist: R1,500-R2,645 initial, R1,000-R1,955 follow-up
- Premium factor: 15-25% below city average
- Notable practices: Mamelodi Psychology Services, Atteridgeville Counselling
- Accessibility: Near taxi routes, limited parking in some areas
Medical Aid Coverage
Major Schemes
- Discovery Health: 15-20 sessions annually from savings/day-to-day benefits
- Bonitas: 15 sessions annually on most plans
- Momentum: 10-20 sessions depending on plan
- Medihelp: 10-15 sessions on comprehensive plans
- Bestmed: Local scheme with enhanced Pretoria provider network
Coverage Notes
- Network restrictions: Pretoria has extensive provider networks for most schemes
- Gap coverage: R700-R800 medical aid rate vs. R900-R1,438 actual charge
- Pre-authorization: Often required for multiple sessions
- PMB conditions: Better coverage for Prescribed Minimum Benefit conditions
- Medication coverage: Separate benefits for psychiatric medications
Affordable Therapy Options
University Clinics
- University of Pretoria Psychology Clinic: R200-R690 based on income
- UNISA Psychotherapy Clinic: R150-R633 based on income
- TUT Psychology Clinic: R150-R575 based on income
- Services offered: Assessment, individual therapy, group therapy
- Providers: Supervised Master's and Doctoral students
- Waiting period: 2-6 weeks typically
NGO Services
- FAMSA Pretoria: R100-R575 based on income
- Lifeline Pretoria: Free to R345 based on income
- SADAG Support Groups: Free
- Services offered: Counseling, support groups, crisis intervention
- Locations: Offices throughout greater Pretoria
- Specialisations: Family counselling, trauma support, addiction recovery
Public Sector
- Steve Biko Academic Hospital: R0-R403 based on income assessment
- Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital: R0-R403 based on income assessment
- Tshwane District Hospital: R0-R403 based on income assessment
- Services offered: Psychiatric services, limited therapy options
- Waiting time: 2-8 weeks for non-urgent cases
- Referral process: Requires referral from primary healthcare facility
Group Therapy
- Average cost: R300-R633 per session
- Common types: Depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, trauma
- Locations: Private practices, Vista Clinic, Denmar Hospital
- Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly sessions
- Duration: Typically 90 minutes per session
- Specialised groups: Addiction recovery, DBT skills, anxiety management
Online Therapy Options
Local Platforms
- TherapyRoute: R750-R1,265 per session
- Pretoria Online Therapy: R700-R1,150 per session
- The South African Depression and Anxiety Group: R600-R1,035 per session
- Tshwane Mental Health Connect: R550-R978 per session
- Advantages: Lower overhead costs, no travel time, flexible scheduling
International Platforms
- BetterHelp: $65-$104 (R1,000-R1,610) per week
- Talkspace: $65-$115 (R1,000-R1,783) per week
- Considerations: May not accept South African medical aid
- Provider qualifications: Verify South African registration
- Time zone issues: Some international therapists may have limited availability
Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
Provider Factors
- Qualifications: Higher degrees and international training command higher fees
- Experience: Senior practitioners with 10+ years charge premium rates
- Specialisations: Expertise in specific areas often costs more
- Practice setting: Private clinics vs. hospital-affiliated practices
- Foreign-trained therapists: Often charge higher rates
Pretoria-Specific Factors
- Government and embassy presence creating demand for multilingual therapists
- Strong academic presence (UP, UNISA, TUT) providing training clinics
- Proximity to Johannesburg influencing competitive pricing
- Lower operational costs in certain areas compared to Johannesburg
- Growing telehealth adoption reducing overhead costs for some practitioners
- Significant Afrikaans-speaking population seeking therapy in home language
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs in Pretoria
Provider Selection Strategies
- Ask about sliding scale: Many therapists adjust fees based on income
- Consider trainee therapists: Supervised by experienced professionals
- Explore group therapy: More affordable than individual sessions
- Negotiate session frequency: Bi-weekly or monthly rather than weekly
- Seek referrals: Ask primary care doctors for affordable options
Insurance Strategies
- Verify benefits: Check your medical aid's mental health coverage
- Use in-network providers: Significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs
- Consider gap cover: Additional insurance for medical aid shortfalls
- Request proper coding: Ensure services are billed correctly
- Appeal denials: Challenge medical aid rejections when appropriate
Local Resources
- SADAG Helpline: 0800 567 567 for referrals to affordable providers
- Vista Clinic: Offers means-tested rates for some services
- University of Pretoria: Training programs with reduced fees
- FAMSA Pretoria: Sliding scale fees based on income
- Employee Assistance Programs: Many Pretoria employers offer free counselling sessions
Transportation Considerations
Public Transport Access
- Gautrain: Serves Hatfield and Centurion areas
- Bus routes: Tshwane Bus Service covers many medical districts
- Minibus taxis: Extensive network throughout Pretoria
- Ride-sharing: Uber and Bolt widely available in most areas
- Parking availability: Generally good throughout Pretoria except CBD
Traffic Planning
- Peak hours: Allow 30-45 minutes extra during 7-9am and 4-6pm
- Construction zones: Ongoing roadworks in Brooklyn and Centurion
- Alternative routes: Use Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic updates
- Therapy scheduling: Mid-day appointments often easier to access
- Virtual options: Consider telehealth to avoid traffic entirely
Sources
- Therapy Route Pretoria Provider Directory (2025)
- South African Society of Psychiatrists Fee Survey (2025)
- Psychological Society of South Africa Fee Guidelines (2025)
- Procompare.co.za Therapy Cost Data (2025)
- University of Pretoria Psychology Department Fee Structure (2025)
- Gauteng Department of Health Fee Schedule (2025)
- Vista Clinic Rate Card (2025)
- Discovery Health Mental Health Benefits Guide (2025)
- FAMSA Pretoria Rate Card (2025)
Note: Prices are current as of May 25, 2025 but may change. Always verify costs directly with providers before beginning treatment.
MORE FROM THE AUTHOR...
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
Find a Therapist
Find skilled psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors near you.
