The Association for Supportive Counsellors & Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) is a guiding body for healthcare professionals within South Africa and outlines the standard for ethical and professional conduct, whilst focusing on the domains of wellness counselling and holistic health. It is a body that is regulated and supervised by the Healthcare Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). An individual who is registered with the ASCHP as a Specialist Wellness Counsellor represents a commitment to maintaining the aforementioned standards within the counselling field.

A Specialist Wellness Counsellor is a certified professional with a NQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification who has additionally completed a minimum of 100 hours of counselling under supervision/hands-on experience. Their main role is to boost their client’s overall well-being, focusing on the client’s harmony of the body, mind and spirit. They provide specialized counselling in various areas such as individual and marriage counselling, trauma, grief and more. Their expertise lies in helping clients with conflict resolution, improving relationships, managing life challenges and finding inner peace. However, as and when necessary, or if required, they are additionally able to refer their clients to medical or psychological experts for specialized intervention.

Although SWC’s have a wide variety of expertise, they do not practice in areas such as psychotherapy, social work, medical health or occupational therapy. Their primary focus area is on wellness, addressing topics such as marital and interpersonal relationships, chronic disease management, trauma debriefing, substance abuse and support for vulnerable individuals. Additionally, they are equipped to handle matters regarding cultural diversity in the workplace and offer guidance to enhance employability.

It is important to note that medical aid is based on the practitioner’s registration. If a practitioner is registered with the ASCHP, medical aid is not accepted, as it is a cash practice. However, if a practitioner is registered with the HPCSA, medical aid is accepted.

Kindly refer to the contact page where you will find a calendar with further instructions that will allow you to book a session.