Kaela Sussman is a registered counsellor practising in South Africa in accordance with the ethical and professional rules of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Counselling services provided are non-medical, non-psychiatric, and non-forensic. Services do not include:

• diagnosis of mental illness

• prescription or management of medication

• medico-legal or forensic assessments

Where a client’s needs exceed the counsellor’s scope of practice, referral to an appropriate medical, psychiatric, or allied professional may be required.

Individual Counselling

Individual counselling is a collaborative and voluntary process intended to support emotional wellbeing, insight, coping, self-awareness, and personal growth. Sessions may involve exploring thoughts, emotions, behaviours, relationships, and past or present experiences.

Couples Counselling

Couples counselling is a collaborative and voluntary process in which both partners work together with the counsellor to improve understanding, communication, emotional awareness, and the overall health of the relationship. The focus is on the relationship as a therapeutic unit rather than on either partner individually.

While counselling may be beneficial, no outcomes, results, or guarantees are expressed or implied. Progress is influenced by factors beyond the counsellor’s control, including individual and joint engagement, readiness for change, and external circumstances.

Counselling does not replace medical care, psychiatric treatment, legal advice, or emergency services.

The counselling relationship is a professional relationship only.
Dual relationships (including friendships, business relationships, or social engagements) are not permitted.

Professional boundaries include, but are not limited to:

• session structure and duration

• communication outside of sessions

• scope of emotional and practical support

Contact Outside of Sessions

Contact between sessions is limited strictly to scheduling, billing, or administrative matters.

The counsellor does not provide therapeutic support, emotional processing, or crisis intervention outside of scheduled counselling sessions.

Office Hours

Office hours are Tuesday to Friday, 09:00–17:00. Messages received outside of these hours will be responded to during the next business day unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Electronic communication (including WhatsApp, SMS, or email) is used for administrative purposes only, such as scheduling or billing.

Messages are not monitored continuously and must not be used for urgent matters, emotional processing, or crisis communication. Any therapeutic content shared electronically may be addressed in the next scheduled session but does not replace counselling sessions.

If we encounter one another outside the counselling setting (for example, in public or social spaces), the counsellor will not initiate contact or acknowledge the client(s). This is to protect confidentiality and privacy.

Individual Counselling

It is entirely the client’s choice whether to acknowledge the counsellor.

Couples Counselling

Either or both partners may choose whether to acknowledge the counsellor.

Clients may:

• greet the counsellor briefly, or

• choose not to engage at all

Both options are completely acceptable. No offence will be taken, and such encounters will not be discussed in sessions unless the client(s) wish to do so.

Individual Counselling

By engaging in counselling, you consent to participate in a professional therapeutic process. Counselling may involve exploring personal thoughts, emotions, experiences, and relationships, and may at times feel emotionally challenging.

You consent to the Registered Counsellor using professional training and clinical judgement to guide sessions, select therapeutic approaches, and make referrals where needed.

Couples Counselling

By engaging in couples counselling, both partners consent to participate in a professional therapeutic process. Counselling may involve exploring individual and shared thoughts, emotions, experiences, and relational patterns, and may be emotionally challenging for one or both partners.

Both partners consent to the counsellor using professional training and clinical judgement in the best interest of the individuals and the relationship.

Confidentiality is maintained within legal and ethical limits, as outlined below.

Individual Counselling

• Consent applies solely to the individual client.

• The counselling relationship exists between the counsellor and the individual client only.

• The client remains responsible for their own choices, actions, and outcomes.

The client may withdraw consent and discontinue counselling at any time. Outstanding fees remain payable. Future counselling is subject to availability and clinical appropriateness.

Couples Counselling

• Consent applies jointly to both partners.

• The counselling relationship exists between the counsellor and the couple as a therapeutic unit.

• The counsellor does not take sides, make decisions, or direct relationship outcomes.

Either partner may withdraw consent at any time. Where one partner withdraws, continuation or termination will be discussed in line with ethical guidelines. One partner may continue individually under a new individual counselling agreement. A return to joint couples counselling will not be possible.

Responsibilities (Individuals and Couples)

Clients are expected to:

• attend sessions on time

• provide appropriate notice for cancellations

• participate openly and honestly

• communicate respectfully, even during difficult discussions

• maintain appropriate professional boundaries

• adhere to payment and practice policies

Counselling is a supportive, not directive or adjudicative, process. Clients remain fully responsible for their own decisions and how insights are applied.

Rights (Individuals and Couples)

Clients have the right to:

• dignity, respect, and fairness

• professional services delivered in line with ethical and legal standards

• ask questions and raise concerns at any time

• clear information regarding confidentiality

• discontinue counselling in accordance with this agreement

The counsellor is committed to ethical, professional practice and to providing a safe, respectful, and non-judgemental environment.

The counsellor may terminate counselling where:

• continued sessions are no longer clinically appropriate

• boundaries are repeatedly breached

• payment or practice policies are not adhered to

• the therapeutic relationship is no longer effective or safe

Where appropriate, reasonable notice and referral options will be provided.

All information shared in counselling, including records, is treated as confidential.

Confidentiality may be limited or breached only where required by law or ethical duty, including:

• serious or imminent risk of harm

• suspected abuse or neglect of a minor

• lawful court orders

• necessary professional consultation

Only the minimum necessary information will be disclosed.

Additional Provisions for Couples Counselling

Confidentiality applies to the counselling relationship as a whole. The counsellor does not keep secrets between partners that would materially affect the counselling process. Information shared by one partner may be explored in joint sessions where clinically appropriate.

Confidentiality in Corporate Settings

When counselling services are funded by an employer or organisation, confidentiality remains between the counsellor and the individual client(s), subject to legal and ethical limits.

No session content is shared with employers, managers, or HR representatives unless:

• explicit written consent is provided by the client, or

• disclosure is legally or ethically required.

Any organisational feedback, attendance confirmation, or general themes provided will be non-identifying and non-clinical, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

All personal information is collected, stored, and processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Records are securely stored and accessed only for legitimate therapeutic and administrative purposes.

Online counselling is conducted via secure platforms; however, technology carries inherent limitations beyond the counsellor’s control.

Clients are responsible for ensuring privacy, secure devices, and suitable environments.

If an online session cannot proceed due to client-side issues, the session will be considered attended and charged in full unless otherwise agreed.

Records are maintained securely in digital format for the legally required period.

Secure AI-based transcription or summarisation tools may be used solely for clinical record-keeping. No recordings or transcripts are shared without explicit consent.

Clients may not record sessions without prior written consent.

Fees are payable on the day of the session unless otherwise agreed.

Individual Counselling Fees

• Intake (60–65 mins): R950

• Follow-up (50–55 mins): R750

• 3-hour intensive: R1950

Couples Counselling Fees

• Intake (85–90 mins): R1300

• Follow-up (50–55 mins): R950

• 3 – hour intensive: R2550
• 4 Session Pre Marital Program

Online sessions are R100 less than in-person rates.

Medical aid reimbursement is the client’s responsibility and is not guaranteed

Corporate Counselling & Workshops – Cancellation and Fees

Corporate counselling services, workshops, group sessions, and on-site engagements require advance preparation, scheduling, and resource allocation.

The following terms apply to corporate, organisational, or employer-funded services, including one-off or ongoing engagements:

• A minimum of 5 business days’ written notice is required for the cancellation or rescheduling of any corporate session, workshop, or on-site service.

• Cancellations made with less than 5 business days’ notice will be charged at 50% of the agreed fee.

• Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at 100% of the agreed fee.

• Where travel, venue hire, or external costs have already been incurred, these costs remain payable in full.

• Same-day cancellations or failure to provide access to participants, venues, or required facilities will be treated as a no-show and charged in full.

Where services are delivered on-site, the organisation is responsible for ensuring a suitable, private, and uninterrupted space for counselling or facilitation. They are also responsible for the availability of staff members to attend.

Invoices for corporate services are payable in accordance with the agreed quotation or contract terms.

• A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for all cancellations.

• Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, as well as no-shows, will be charged at the full session fee.

• Each session may be rescheduled once only.

• Rescheduling a session within the same calendar week requires a minimum of 12 hours’ notice and is subject to availability. Where a same-week reschedule is approved, a late rescheduling fee of R100 will apply.

• Any further changes to the same appointment beyond one reschedule will result in the full session fee being charged.

• Late arrivals exceeding 15 minutes will be regarded as a no-show and charged accordingly.

Repeated cancellations or rescheduling may result in:

• sessions requiring payment upfront, and

• the discontinuation of advance or long-term bookings, with future sessions booked on a case-by-case basis.

Counselling involves reflection and personal responsibility. The counsellor does not guarantee outcomes or make decisions for clients.

Attendance at in-person sessions is at the client’s own risk. Neither the counsellor nor the premises are liable for injury, loss, theft, or damage to personal property.

This agreement is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Clients residing outside South Africa acknowledge jurisdictional and emergency-response limitations and agree to seek local emergency services when required.

Counselling services do not provide emergency or crisis intervention.

The counsellor will not be held liable for cancellations, delays, or disruptions caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to sudden illness, power outages, internet failure, natural disasters, venue inaccessibility, extreme or unexpected traffic conditions, accidents, or road closures.

Where possible, sessions will be rescheduled or moved online. Where this is not feasible, no additional liability will arise beyond the session fee already paid.

Practice policies may be updated periodically. The most current version will always be available on the practice website. Continued attendance constitutes acceptance of any updated terms, unless otherwise required by law.