Questions, answered clearly
Find answers to common questions about assessments, appointments, medical aid, reports, online sessions and support groups. If you cannot find what you are looking for, our team is always happy to assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of sessions depends on the type of assessment:
The exact number of sessions will depend on your individual history and the complexity of the assessment.
Full payment is required before your appointment. After a completed and paid session, you may request a statement to submit to your medical aid for possible reimbursement, subject to your plan and available benefits.
Spectrum Centre will only submit claims directly to a medical aid where there is an approved PMB or where a special arrangement has been agreed with the practice in advance.
Medical aid payment is not guaranteed. Any shortfall, rejected claim or unpaid amount remains the responsibility of the patient or guarantor. Levy fees are not covered by medical aid.
Prescribed Minimum Benefits, or PMBs, are a specific set of benefits available to members of a registered medical scheme, as determined by the Council for Medical Schemes
A PMB application cannot be submitted before the relevant assessment and diagnostic process has taken place. If a diagnosis is made and your psychologist considers a PMB motivation clinically appropriate, the practice can assist with the application process.
Your medical aid makes the final decision. Approval, the number of funded sessions and the extent of cover cannot be guaranteed by Spectrum Centre.
Spectrum Centre focuses on working with older teenagers and adults and does not currently provide services for younger children.
If you are looking for support for a younger child, your GP, paediatrician or medical aid may be able to help you identify appropriate services in your area.
A standard diagnostic report may be requested after the assessment process has been completed and a diagnosis has been confirmed.
The current fee is R1,090. Reports are not covered by medical aid and payment is required before the report is scheduled. Reports may take approximately 1 to 3 weeks to complete.
A typical report includes:
The standard report uses a structured clinical format and does not include detailed psychotherapy notes or sensitive therapeutic disclosures.
No. Spectrum Centre's team consists of Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, who do not prescribe medication.
Where appropriate, you may request a referral letter from your treating psychologist following consultation. Your GP or psychiatrist would make their own assessment regarding medication and treatment.
Assessment sessions should not be booked on the same day and should be scheduled with the same psychologist.
You may book sessions within the same week or space them approximately one to two weeks apart, depending on your availability.
We recommend booking the required sessions in advance where possible, as appointment availability can vary.
Yes. Spectrum Centre offers both online and in-person consultations for assessments and therapy where clinically appropriate.
In-person services are available through our Johannesburg locations. Availability depends on the psychologist and service selected.
Our support groups provide a structured, non-judgemental space for people to connect around shared experiences and explore a specific topic with the guidance of a psychologist.
Depending on the group, sessions may include brief psychoeducation, discussion, questions and opportunities to hear from others with similar experiences.
Participation is flexible. You may speak, use the chat or simply listen. There is no requirement to disclose personal information or participate in every discussion.
Our services are primarily designed for older teenagers and adults who are exploring or seeking assessment and support for autism and ADHD.
Our current assessment process requires the person being assessed to be able to participate directly in clinical interviews and engage with the psychologist during sessions.
If you are unsure whether our assessment process is appropriate for your needs, please contact our team before booking and we can explain the available options.
No specific preparation is required. You are welcome to bring previous reports or other relevant information if you have them, but this is not necessary.
If you would like to know a little more about what to expect before your appointment, you can watch our short How to Prepare video.
Watch: How to PrepareNeed a little more help?
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered above, our team is happy to help and point you in the right direction.
