The title and how it is regulated
South Africa registers psychologists, registered counsellors and doctors with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, social workers with their own council and nurses with the Nursing Council. “Sexologist” and “sex therapist” are not registered categories: anyone may use the words, and the HPCSA has no jurisdiction over someone who holds no registration.
The reference body is the Southern African Sexual Health Association (SASHA), whose professional members must hold an active registration with a South African regulatory body — HPCSA, the Council for Social Service Professions, the Nursing Council or the counselling bodies — and complete recognised training in sexology. A sexologist who is a registered psychologist or doctor is thus accountable to two bodies; one who is not registered is accountable to none.
Medical aid schemes pay only practitioners registered with the HPCSA and holding a practice number. Psychology sessions are usually funded from day-to-day benefits, capped at around twelve to fifteen sessions a year depending on the plan, and prescribed minimum benefits cover certain psychiatric conditions. A doctor's consultation for erectile dysfunction, pain or hormonal problems is covered as ordinary care. Privately, a psychologist or sexologist charges roughly 900 to 1,600 rand a session.
The public sector offers psychology at district hospitals and community clinics, with waits, and free sexual and reproductive health clinics; specialised sex therapy is rare outside the academic hospitals.
Key points
| Title | Unregulated; underlying registration with HPCSA or equivalent required for accountability |
|---|---|
| Regulated professions nearby | Psychologist, registered counsellor, doctor (HPCSA); social worker (SACSSP); nurse (SANC) |
| Reference accreditation | SASHA professional membership: active registration plus sexology training |
| Medical aid | Registered practitioners only; psychology capped at about 12–15 sessions a year, plan-dependent |
| Public sector | Psychology at district hospitals; free sexual and reproductive health clinics |
| Private cost | About 900–1,600 rand a session |
In practice
- Check the HPCSA register for the underlying profession and SASHA for sexology accreditation.
- Ask your medical aid what psychology benefit your plan carries and whether pre-authorisation is required.
- See a general practitioner first for physical symptoms; investigations are covered as ordinary care.
- Academic hospitals in the big cities have sexual-health or psychiatry clinics that accept referrals.
Cost and reimbursement
Medical aid: psychology sessions funded within the plan's cap, with a registered practitioner. Private: 900–1,600 rand a session. Public: low or no fee, with waits.
What has changed recently
SASHA has kept its requirement of statutory registration for professional members, which excludes unregistered “sexologists”; medical schemes have generally left psychology caps unchanged.
Where to go
- Health Professions Council of South Africa: register of psychologists, counsellors and doctors.
- Southern African Sexual Health Association: accredited members.
- Your medical aid scheme: psychology benefit and pre-authorisation.
- District hospitals and community clinics: public psychology and sexual health services.
Worth knowing
An unregistered sexologist cannot bill a medical aid and cannot be disciplined by the HPCSA. If a practitioner has no practice number, ask why.
Frequently asked questions
Is “sexologist” a registered profession in South Africa?
No. The HPCSA registers psychologists, counsellors and doctors; SASHA accredits sexologists who hold one of those registrations.
Will my medical aid pay for sex therapy?
If delivered by an HPCSA-registered psychologist with a practice number, within the plan's annual psychology cap. Unregistered practitioners cannot claim.
Is there public sex therapy?
Rarely. Public psychology exists at district hospitals, and sexual and reproductive health clinics are free, but specialised sex therapy is mostly private.
Official sources and links
- Health Professions Council of South Africa — register of psychologists, counsellors and doctors
- Southern African Sexual Health Association — accredited members, membership criteria
- gov.za — official government portal
- South African Human Rights Commission — constitutional rights body