Harm reduction in practice. A clinical partnership brief.
For psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, GPs, social workers and allied health professionals — how we work, what we do and don’t provide, and how to refer.
Written by Elza Berk, Founder & registered counsellor · ASCHP WCW/271 · 20+ years’ clinical experience · Updated 28 September 2026
Registered counsellors
All counsellors are registered with the HPCSA, ASCHP or CCSA, individually supervised and professionally accountable.
Globally accessible
WhatsApp, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. English, Afrikaans, Xitsonga, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Tshivenda, Sepedi and more.
Evidence-based
A harm reduction model endorsed by the WHO, UNAIDS and UNODC, aligned with 2024 evidence on reduced use as a valid outcome.
Why harm reduction. Why now.
Abstinence-only models show relapse rates of around 85%. A 2024 NIDA-supported analysis across 13 randomised controlled trials confirmed that reduced use, without abstinence, is a clinically meaningful treatment outcome.
Harm reduction is not in opposition to abstinence-based treatment. It keeps patients engaged, alive and accessible to further intervention — including the abstinence-based treatment your practice may offer.
- Reduces dropout and increases sustained engagement
- Decreases overdose mortality, blood-borne infections and acute presentations
- Facilitates disclosure and the counselling alliance in patients resistant to abstinence-first approaches
- Increases the likelihood of entering further treatment over time
- Applies across alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, prescription medication, eating disorders, gambling and behavioural addictions
Aminesmaeili M, et al. Addiction. 2024. DOI: 10.1111/add.16409 · Salisbury-Afshar E, et al. AHRQ PSNet. 2024 · EMCDDA Drug Report 2024 · SFOPH 2023
Scope of practice
What we provide
- Individual counselling — 50 minutes
- Couples and family counselling — 50 min, up to 90 for families
- Addiction counselling programme (harm reduction) — structured, monthly
- Facilitated group counselling
- Between-session counsellor support
- Trauma-informed care across all modalities
- CBT, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, SFBT, person-centred and inner child approaches
What we don’t provide
- Psychiatric assessment or diagnosis
- Pharmacological treatment or prescription
- Medical detoxification
- Inpatient or residential care
- 24/7 crisis or emergency intervention
- Clinical psychology services as defined under the Health Professions Act
Our counsellors are registered counsellors — not clinical psychologists or psychiatrists. We actively refer to psychiatrists and medical practitioners where assessment, diagnosis or pharmacological intervention is indicated, and welcome collaborative care.
Structured monthly support that runs alongside existing care.
A month-to-month counselling programme using harm reduction methodology. It is complementary to medical and psychiatric treatment, not a substitute for it.
The weekly flexible session is designed to include you. If you are the treating psychiatrist or GP, you are welcome to join a session by prior arrangement — supporting integrated, coherent care.
- 2× individual sessions a week — 50 min, same counsellor every time
- 1× flexible session a week — partner, family, or another professional
- 1× facilitated group session a week — not a peer support group
- HR Community — counsellor-moderated peer group; not a crisis service
We work alongside every professional and every programme.
Medical & psychiatric
We work alongside psychiatrists, GPs, addiction medicine specialists and pharmacological treatment. We refer to you, and welcome you joining sessions where clinically appropriate.
Residential & inpatient
Pre-admission support, discharge planning and post-residential aftercare — the critical period when clients are most vulnerable.
12-Step & peer programmes
AA, NA, Al-Anon, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery and secular programmes. Clients often attend several at once — we support that.
Faith-based recovery
All faith traditions. Several counsellors offer faith-integrated counselling. We never require a belief framework, and never engage in conversion practices of any kind.
EAP & corporate wellness
Individual confidentiality is maintained; employers receive only aggregated, anonymised data by prior agreement.
Social work & community services
We accept referrals from social workers and community mental health services — a practical option where in-person provision is limited.
No referral form needed.
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Contact us
Email accounts@mytruth.co.za with the client’s first name and a brief overview. We respond within one business day.
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Or share the booking link
Clients can book independently. All services are open to self-referral, with no waitlist for most.
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Warm handover
For complex cases we welcome a short handover call with the referring clinician.
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Collaborative care
With client consent, we keep a channel open with your practice — progress, concerns and care coordination.
All information shared between MyTruth and referring clinicians requires the client’s explicit written consent, in line with POPIA and professional ethical codes.