A South African counsellor for South Africans in the UK.
No NHS waiting list, no explaining load-shedding, braais or why your gran’s voice note made you cry on the Tube.
Written by Elza Berk, Founder & registered counsellor · ASCHP WCW/271 · 20+ years’ clinical experience · Updated 28 September 2026
Home is part of your story.
More than 200,000 South Africans live in the UK, more than anywhere else in the world. Many arrived on Ancestry, Skilled Worker or family visas and built good lives — and still carry a quiet ache that’s hard to explain to British friends.
NHS talking-therapy waiting lists can run for months, and private counsellors may not understand the history, family pressure and mixed feelings that come with leaving South Africa. Our counsellors do, because it’s their world too.
We see South Africans across the UK, including London, Surrey, Reading, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Sessions are online, so it doesn’t matter where you live.
Times that work for you
| Your time | South African time |
|---|---|
| 08:00 UK | 09:00–10:00 SA |
| 12:00 UK | 13:00–14:00 SA |
| 18:00 UK | 19:00–20:00 SA |
The booking screen shows every time in your own time zone automatically.
Questions South Africans in the UK ask us
Do I need an NHS referral?
No. You book directly online, usually within a few days, with no referral or waiting list.
Can I have sessions in Afrikaans?
Yes. Several of our counsellors work in Afrikaans, and others in isiZulu, isiXhosa, Xitsonga, Sepedi and Tshivenda.
How do I pay from overseas?
By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay through Yoco. International Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards are accepted, and you don’t need a South African bank account. Prices are in rand; your bank converts them.
Are your counsellors registered?
Yes. Every MyTruth counsellor is registered in South Africa with the HPCSA, ASCHP, CCSA or SACSSP and works under South African professional rules. Please check that receiving online counselling from a South African counsellor is fine where you live.
More about counselling for South Africans abroad →
Also for South Africans in: Australia · USA · UAE · New Zealand · Canada · Netherlands · Germany
What we help with
- Homesickness and grey-winter low mood
- Guilt about parents ageing back home
- Visa, settlement and job pressure
- Feeling like a foreigner in both countries
- Relationship strain after the move
- Grief when you can’t fly home in time
Simple from the first click.
01
Choose a time in your time zone
GMT/BST — SA is 1–2 hours ahead, so evening slots here are afternoon for you.
02
Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
International cards accepted, no South African bank account needed.
03
Meet online
WhatsApp, Google Meet or Teams — whichever works for you.
People who do this work every day.
Janika Cumpsty
Head of Supervision
“You don’t have to do your inner work alone. I help clients identify their inherent strength and take action toward the change they truly want to see.”
- Childhood trauma
- PTSD / CPTSD
- Sexual trauma
English · Afrikaans · Dutch (reading)
Omashree Balie
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
“Seeking counselling is personal, difficult, and sometimes lonely — but the results are life-changing. I aim to make that journey as comfortable as possible.”
- Couples & marriage
- Divorce
- LGBTQIA+ affirming
English · Afrikaans
Mimi Shirindza
Registered Counsellor
“Every person carries the capacity for growth and renewal. My role is to walk alongside you as you rediscover and strengthen those inherent gifts.”
- Trauma
- Grief & loss
- Couples
English · Xitsonga · isiZulu
Hèlet Boustred
Registered Psychological Counsellor
“I have a strong passion for trauma work using Somatic Experiencing — a gentle, body-oriented approach that helps release stress and restore balance from within.”
- Trauma (Somatic Experiencing)
- Anxiety & depression
- Grief & loss
Afrikaans · English
Megan Andrew
Registered Counsellor
“I offer a safe space where clients feel heard and supported to better understand themselves, navigate life’s challenges, and move towards meaningful change.”
- ADHD & autism
- Perinatal support
- Trauma
English
Chris Theron
Registered Counsellor
“Life teaches us to keep it together even when we’re falling apart. I believe healing starts when someone walks beside you — not ahead of you.”
- Trauma
- Anxiety & stress
- Life transitions
English · Afrikaans
Your truth deserves to be heard.
Choose a counsellor who speaks your language and understands your world. Sessions are online, private and booked in minutes.