If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, get help now. Visit a nearby emergency service, hospital, or mental health clinic. If you are in crisis, these helplines can help:
Crisis numbers in South Africa
- SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline: Tel: 0800 567 567. 24 hours.
- Cipla Mental Health Helpline: Tel: 0800 456 789 (24 hours) | Text: 31393 | WhatsApp: 076 882 2775 (8am to 5pm). 24 hours.
- LifeLine National Counselling Line: Tel: 0861-322-322 | WhatsApp: +27607154415. 24 hours.
- Dr Reddy’s Mental Health Helpline: Tel: 0800 21 22 23. 8am to 8pm.
- Pharma Dynamics Police & Trauma Helpline: Tel: 0800 20 50 26. 8am to 8pm.
- All crisis lines in South Africa
This page lists Trauma Psychotherapists in Johannesburg. 3 in all.
What trauma therapy treats
Trauma therapy treats what stays behind after a frightening or overwhelming event. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and EMDR are the recommended treatments 12.
World Health Organization guidance recommends both for post-traumatic stress disorder 3. Cognitive therapy and narrative exposure therapy are also used.
Treatment usually includes preparation, and work on the memory itself comes later. It is for people whose symptoms have persisted.
Not everyone who has been through something bad needs it. Ask a practitioner which approaches they are trained in.
What psychotherapy works on, and how long it usually runs
Everyone on this page describes their work as psychotherapy. A psychotherapist works through talking with you about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours 4.
Psychotherapy usually runs longer than counselling and aims for clinical change. It works on patterns that repeat rather than on one current problem.
A psychotherapist trains in psychological treatment rather than in medicine. What that training covers, and which approach a practitioner uses, differ between practitioners. Ask which approach a psychotherapist trained in, and how long they usually work.
What this page filters on
These are the only filters: the specialism recorded as Trauma and the professional title psychotherapist.
Fees, insurance and lower-cost options
Do affordable options exist in Johannesburg?
The Family Life Centre - FAMSA Johannesburg. Phone +27 11 788 4784. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale. Johannesburg residents can request an appointment.
Lower-fee services in Johannesburg
- Emthonjeni Centre, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg offers trauma counselling and psychotherapy for a nominal fee, and free psychotherapy through its community psychology clinic.5
The Johannesburg page answers more questions about therapy there.
Who registers therapists in South Africa?
Our records name no register for the title psychotherapist in South Africa. See the South Africa page for the professions that do carry a register there.
Nearby places and related listings
- Trauma Counsellors in Johannesburg
- Trauma Psychologists in Johannesburg
- Black Female Psychologists in Johannesburg, two filters on the full Johannesburg psychologists list
- Black Male Psychologists in Johannesburg, two filters on the full Johannesburg psychologists list
- Male Psychologists in Johannesburg, one filter on the full Johannesburg psychologists list
- Female Psychologists in Johannesburg, one filter on the full Johannesburg psychologists list
- Psychologists in Johannesburg
- Social Workers in Johannesburg
- All therapists listed in Johannesburg (282)
- Marriage counselling, Johannesburg
References
Real choice. Authentic, independent, clinician-led care.
TherapyRoute is a clinician-led directory that champions independent practitioners who answer to you and their professional ethics. We don't take commissions, sell your data, or assign therapists by algorithm. You browse, compare, and choose.
Vincenzo (Enzo) Sinisi, Clinical Psychologist (HPCSA), Psychoanalyst (IPA/SAPA), Group Analyst (IGA)


