Psychology in South Africa

Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies the mind and behavior. It seeks to understand the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior. It encompasses the environmental factors, social pressures, and biological influences that affect how people think, feel, and act. Since it is a broad and diverse field, there are numerous different subfields and specialty areas within psychology. Some of the major areas include clinical psychology, biological psychology, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology.

A specialist or expert in psychology is called a psychologist. Licensed psychologists have professional training and clinical skills to do psychological testing, perform counseling and psychotherapy, and provide treatment for mental disorders. They are qualified to help people learn to cope more effectively with mental health problems. However, they are not medical doctors. This means that psychologists typically cannot perform medical procedures or write prescriptions. A psychologist will work in association with a psychiatrist or other medical doctor who provides medical treatment for mental illness, while the psychologist provides psychotherapy. 

There are numerous different styles of therapy, but the psychologist will identify the best approach to address the person’s problem that fits the characteristics and preferences of the patients. Some common types of therapy are behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapies, integrative or holistic therapy, and humanistic therapy.

Psychologists can help a wide variety of people and treat many types of problems. They can help those with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and phobias. Psychologists can also help with rehabilitation and adjustment to chronic illness or disability. In some cases, people also talk to a psychologist to help overcome addictions, cope with stressful situations, or navigate through short-term problems, such as grieving the death of a family member or feeling overwhelmed by a new job. 

How Long Should I Stay in South Africa?

You usually do not need to stay in South Africa any longer than you want to after each treatment session. However, since psychotherapy usually requires more than one session, you can choose to stay in South Africa until you complete all of your sessions, so you do not have to travel multiple times. Some types of psychological treatment last only a few sessions, but others can take months and even years.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on your specific condition. Most of the time, no recovery time is needed after a psychological test or treatment. You should be allowed to resume your normal routine and even go back to work immediately after. If the treatment makes you feel exhausted, you can take the rest of the day off. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your psychologist will give you a set of aftercare instructions. The instructions are specifically designed for your individual case and are aimed to prevent relapse. You may also be recommended to live an active and healthy life, such as exercising regularly and to eat a healthy diet. 

What's the Success Rate?

Psychology is always growing and evolving. New discoveries and applications of psychology are always being uncovered. This helps psychology tests and treatments to become more successful, accurate, and safe. Today, psychologists can use evidence-based techniques to make treatment more efficient and effective. With psychology, people can improve their decision making, behavior, and stress management based on understanding past behavior to predict future behavior. Psychological treatments can have some side effects, such as becoming sad or fearful, an increase in anxiety, negative changes in the family, or relapse.  

Are there Alternatives?

There are numerous types of mental health professionals you can see to help with mental health problems. You can choose to see a psychiatrist, licensed mental health counselor, mental health nurse, or clinical social worker. In many cases, these mental health professionals work together to deliver the best treatment plan.

Psychology in and around South Africa

About South Africa

South Africa is home to some of the world's most luxurious private game reserves and lodges. Wildlife lovers come here from all corners of the globe in search of the "Big Five": lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephants. Coral reefs, shark dives, dragon-backed mountain ranges, white-water rafting, and golden beaches lapped by legendary surf breaks are some of South Africa's many other attractions. Traveling around this vast land and touring the vibrant cities, visitors can learn about the nation's turbulent history. Travelers coming to South Africa for medical treatments do so for cost savings, advanced medical technology, and the internationally qualified and skilled doctors. The country welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Psychology procedures. Medical Tourists travel from all across the globe, particularly from African countries with an inferior healthcare system. Popular destinations include the capital city, Pretoria, neighboring Johannesburg, and the stunning Cape Town.

Popular Parts of South Africa

With more than 57 million inhabitants, South Africa is the world’s 24th most populous nation. It is a multiethnic society with a large variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Known for its exhilarating outdoor adventure, fascinating wildlife, magnificent landscapes, and opulent history makes South Africa a truly magical destination

• Cape Town is the oldest city and the legislative capital of South Africa. This pleasant city has a lot to offer as you can Hike the Table Mountain, take a wine tour, cruise to Robben Island, relax on beautiful beaches, visit District Six Museum, discover Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and watch the Boulders Penguin Colony or shop in trendy markets. 
• Johannesburg is the largest and the most populous city. It is changing rapidly into an ultra-modern metropolis. Other than being an urban city, it also boasts a rich history. Tourists can visit the Apartheid Museum to learn more about the country’s difficult past through exhibitions. Other museums such as MOAD and MuseuMAfriCA are also worth a visit to view the city’s art and history.
• Durban is a cosmopolitan city with sunny beaches and charming Afro-Indian culture. There are more Indian nationals residing in this city than any other country outside of India. It is the place to go if you want to see marine life. Visit uShaka Marine World where you can snorkel, dive, and interact with animals. 
• Pretoria is a scenic city and you will find various historic buildings with astounding architecture such as the Voortrekker Monument, Union Buildings, and Church Square with its statue of Paul Kruger. Those who are looking for some outdoor activities can explore Pretoria National Botanical Garden and Rietvlei Nature Reserve for some wildlife viewing.
• Kruger National Park is one of the largest national parks and one of the most exciting safari destinations in the world. Here you can view all of Africa’s safari species such as Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Hippo, and Giraffe along with more than 100 mammal species and 500 varieties of bird.

Weather and Climate in South Africa

South Africa’s climate is determined by its situation in the Southern Hemisphere’s subtropical zone and between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country is a year-round destination thanks to its varying regional climates. May to September is the Dry Season with little to no rain. The days are mostly sunny, but it gets cold in the evenings and mornings. The average temperature during this season is around 14 °C with June to August as the coldest months. The wet season starts in October and ends in April. There will be occasional short rain showers in the afternoon. The average temperature during the wet season is around 20 °C, but it can also be as high as 35 °C, especially in December, January, and February.

Getting Around in South Africa

The main and the busiest airport in South Africa is the O.R. Tambo International Airport. The airport is located in Kempton Park, near Johannesburg and Pretoria. It serves as the primary domestic and international gateway to and from South Africa. The airport operates flights to other cities in South Africa as well as numerous major cities in the world including London, Singapore, Sydney, Abu Dhabi, and Atlanta. There are also two other major international airports: Cape Town International and King Shaka International. The inexpensive way to travel around the country is by flying with budget airlines such as FlySadair, Kalula.com, and Mango.

South Africa has an excellent infrastructure and is easy to navigate. However, if you wish to visit several cities, expect to have at least one long-distance trip. You can travel around by bus, train, or rental car. There are several long-distance bus companies you can choose, such as Intercape, Translux, and Greyhound. The buses are relatively affordable and safe. They are generally equipped with air-conditioning and an onboard toilet. For short-distance travel, Baz Bus is the best choice. A one-way ticket fare starts at around 500 ZAR.

Although trains are slow, they are less expensive than flights and more comfortable than buses. Shosholoza Meyl long-distance trains serve Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Bloemfontein, and several other major cities. This train is very affordable with tickets costing as low as 400 ZAR for a sleeper train. If you’re looking for a more luxurious train, try the Blue Train which offers comfortable compartments, good food, and wine for around 18,300 ZAR. 

Taxis are available to get around major cities. Tourists can hail one directly from the streets. However, since the taxi ranks are not common, it is best to call for one. The base fare can be different in every city, ranging between 11 ZAR to 20 ZAR. 

Tourist Visas in South Africa

A valid visa is required if you wish to visit South Africa. Citizens of more than 60 countries can enter and stay for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed in the visa exemption agreement must apply and obtain a visa to the nearest South Africa embassy or consulate. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit, and the passport must have at least two unused pages. 

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: South African Rand (ZAR) is the official currency. 1 USD converts to 14 ZAR.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs all around the country. Credit Cards are widely accepted. However, since South Africa has a reputation for scams, you should inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid declined transactions. It is also advisable to always bring some cash with you. Tipping is expected here and you can tip around 10% to 15% of the bill in restaurants and cafes and the standard tip in hotels is 10 to 20 ZAR. 
3. Local Language: There are 11 official languages in the country, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, Southern Ndebele, and English. Zulu is the most widely spoken language.
4. Local Culture and Religion: As a secular state, South Africa has a diverse religious population. Most of the population follows Christianity. Other religions such as the traditional African religion, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism are also freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: The country has 12 public holidays such as New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Freedom Day, and Christmas Day.