In a city grappling with rising mental health concerns and the high cost of private therapy, one local non-profit is making psychological support accessible to the community.
Kuthetha Nathi (Talk to us), located on the grounds of Sea Point High School, in Norfolk Street, offers containment, support, and low-cost counselling sessions by trained lay counsellors from as little as R30 a session, who sign up on their website. Their Sea Point office was launched on Thursday, March 19.
Chairman and founder Daniel Rabinowitz said that the organisation, registered since 2019, seeks to provide professional counselling without the prohibitive price tag.
While the sessions are not entirely free - requiring a minimum fee of R30 per session, totaling R360 for a full course of 12 sessions - the model is fundamentally donation-based.
Clients are encouraged to contribute more than the minimum, depending on their income and the value they derive from the service.
"If people come, and there’s no charge, then people may just come along, and then not come back," said Mr Rabinowitz.
He explained the rationale behind the minimal fee.
This "transaction therapeutically" is seen as critical, ensuring clients invest in their healing process and providing a useful tool for the counsellors to explore commitment issues.
The service utilises "community counsellors," who, while not registered psychologists, are extensively trained to "hold or contain clients."
Mr Rabinowitz said that these counsellors operate under the supervision and guidance of qualified professionals, ensuring a high standard of care.
Their approach is built on models of validation and Rogerian, person-centered counselling approaches that emphasise accepting the client's internal experience to promote growth and self-actualisation.
He explained that the counselling could be done anywhere and that counsellors, with basic training, could register their services, report to a supervisor, a counsellor and psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
All lay counsellors are supervised by a psychologist and attend regular training.
These three types of professionals all provide mental health support, but the main differentiating component between them is the extent to which they can do this and the types of interventions they can use.
Organisation operational manager Shev Segal said that access to the service is by appointment only, which can be booked via their website.
They also accommodate bookings via WhatsApp for those without internet access.
The organisation has grown since its founding, previously operating from the founder's private practice offices at Cape Town Psychologists.
They rely on referrals, internet searches, often by people looking for "low-cost counselling services", and word-of-mouth.
By offering professional, structured, and affordable therapy, this Sea Point-based NPO is fulfilling a critical need and ensuring that effective mental health support remains within reach for the Cape Town community.
Mr Rabinowitz said that they are spreading the load and that they were doing their best to limit the mental health crisis in South Africa. They operate in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
They also offer a 16-week training course for individuals to become lay counsellors at a cost, which he said would benefit the participant with self-growth, reflection, and introspection.
To book an appointment or learn more about their services, visit their website, contact them via the dedicated WhatsApp number 068 638 2316.
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