Sophiatown Community Psychological Services

Sophiatown Community Psychological Services Sophiatown Community Psychological Services offers counselling and other psycho-social support to individuals, families, groups, communities in distress.

People of all ages and races come to us with a range of problems which affect their emotional well-being and their ability to cope with the demands of everyday living. If you feel that you are struggling with any of the following, come and see us.
• Struggling with a relationship?
• Going through or trying to cope with divorce or separation?
• Grieving the loss of a loved one?
• Struggling to focu

s on your work or studies?
• Dealing with illness or disability in yourself or your family?
• Traumatized by violence or abuse?
• Traumatized by xenophobia or experiences of war?
• Worried about the behaviour or emotional well-being of a child?
• Struggling to adjust to one of life’s many challenges?
• Feeling depressed, alone, unsupported, and vulnerable?
• Looking for someone who you can talk to without fear of judgment? We offer free counselling in a safe and confidential environment by well-trained and supervised counsellors. What we do

The Counselling Programme which offers a walk-in and after hours counselling service to individuals, couples and families, including children and adolescents and those who would not otherwise be able to afford traditional and costly counselling with a psychologist.

• The Community Healing Programme uses group-based interventions and a range of creative methodologies to facilitate healing for a range of target groups including abused women, families and children living with HIV/AIDS, and refugee children, adolescents and families. Group-based interventions include holiday programs for bereaved or traumatized children and adolescents, bereavement retreats for adults, support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS, and a range of “lekgotlas” aimed at getting people to talk to each other about common problems and experiences.

• HIV Support: HIV affects us all and we deal with it in all our groups and sessions. Specifically we have a support group called Leseding for people living with HIV that meets every Friday morning. This is what the Leseding Group says about how they deal with the discrimination, loneliness and fear that they face:

- We share what we know and learn new things from each other and our leaders.
- We don’t judge each other.
- We respect confidentiality and what is shared in the group, stays in the group.
- Our group rules and our leaders make sure that our group is a safe space in which we can help each other grow beyond our fears, our loneliness and the prejudice of our communities.

• Siyabanakekela seeks to support those who are in care giving roles in the community and in organisations through training, mentoring and “caring for carers". It is made up of a number of different components: Healing through training, Caring for Carers and Parent to Parent programme.

• The Advocacy Programme which works with other agencies to advocate for social change in order to reduce the emotional suffering caused by unjust social conditions. We are a key partner in the Johannesburg Child Advocacy Forum.

16/06/2026

Dear men: We see you ❤️✌️

16/06/2026

🩵 Men’s Mental Health Month 🩵

This month, we shine a light on the importance of men’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Many men carry the weight of responsibilities, expectations, stress, grief, trauma, and life challenges in silence. Society often teaches men to be strong, to “man up,” and to keep their emotions hidden. However, true strength lies in recognising when you need support and having the courage to speak up.

At Sophiatown Community Psychological Services (SCPS), we believe that every person deserves a safe space to be heard, understood, and supported. Through our counselling and psychosocial support services, we work with individuals, families, and communities to promote healing, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.

To all men: your feelings matter, your struggles are valid, and you do not have to face them alone. Whether you are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, loss, relationship challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let’s challenge the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and create communities where men feel safe to talk, seek help, and support one another.

Together, we can create a culture where seeking support is encouraged and emotional wellbeing is valued.

A team that celebrates diversity together, stays together.Happy Africa Month from SCPS. WHERE IN AFRICA DO YOU BELONG?
19/05/2026

A team that celebrates diversity together, stays together.
Happy Africa Month from SCPS.
WHERE IN AFRICA DO YOU BELONG?

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month 💚This month reminds us that mental health is deeply connected to the realities we live i...
15/05/2026

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

This month reminds us that mental health is deeply connected to the realities we live in every day. It is connected to ourselves, our families, our communities, and the social and economic challenges we face.

Our work is rooted in the belief that emotional distress is not just an individual issue, but is also shaped by poverty, violence, inequality, and social exclusion.

Through counselling, support groups, and community outreach, Sophiatown Community Psychological Services walks alongside individuals, families, and communities, helping people navigate grief, trauma, anxiety, and loss of hope. We work with children, teenagers, parents, migrants, and even grandmothers raising families, creating safe spaces where people can be heard, supported, and empowered.

We believe that healing is not only about treatment, it’s about restoring hope. We like to describe our work as a “Hope Factory,” where people are supported to move beyond survival and rediscover meaning, dignity, and possibility.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let us:

-Prioritise our own mental wellbeing.
-Check in on friends, family, and neighbours.
-Recognise the impact of social challenges on mental health.
-Break the stigma around mental health.
-Create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
-Remind each other that asking for help is a strength not a weakness.

If you or someone you know needs support, reach out. You are not alone, support exists, we are here.

Hope is always possible.

Happy Workers’ Day! Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and dedication of workers everywhere. The early morning...
01/05/2026

Happy Workers’ Day!

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and dedication of workers everywhere. The early morning, late night, energy and efforts we have put in our work.

It is more than just a public holiday. It is a reminder of how far workers' rights have come, and how important it is to take care of ourselves along the way.

Here are a few simple ideas for today:

*Rest without guilt.
*Spend time with family and friends.
*Do something that recharges you, not
drains you.
*Appreciate your own hard work,no matter how small it may seem.

Whether you are relaxing at home, enjoying the outdoors, or just taking a break from the daily grind, make today count in a way that supports you.

Today we commemorate Human Rights Day. A powerful reminder that dignity, equality, and freedom are not privileges for a ...
21/03/2026

Today we commemorate Human Rights Day. A powerful reminder that dignity, equality, and freedom are not privileges for a few, but fundamental rights for all.

This day calls us to reflect on the progress we have made, acknowledge the work that still to be done, and recommit ourselves to building communities rooted in respect, compassion, and justice. Every person deserves to feel safe, valued, heard, and treated with fairness.

Human rights begin in the small, everyday moments: how we speak to one another, how we challenge injustice, how we show up for those whose voices are often unheard. Change doesn’t only happen in big movements, it starts with ordinary people choosing courage, empathy, and action.

Let’s continue to stand up, speak out, and stand together. Because when we protect the rights of the most vulnerable, we strengthen humanity as a whole.

20/03/2026

https://www.medico.de/fileadmin/user_upload/media/en/resist-connect-standup-manifesto_en.pdf

*Launching a manifesto for psychosocial support in times of collapse - Monday 16 March 2026**5pm CET (Berlin) // 10 am C...
10/03/2026

*Launching a manifesto for psychosocial support in times of collapse - Monday 16 March 2026*

*5pm CET (Berlin) // 10 am CST (Ciudad de México) // 6pm SAST (Johannesburg) // 7pm AST (Sulaymaniyah)*

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87999861393?pwd=URDy6Z2kalN8b1ijShQOdEnt0HocaA.1
Password: 607583

In light of the current global conditions, the question arises again and again: What can we do when authoritarian dynamics of destruction gain strength and the suffering of billions continues to escalate?

The psychosocial manifesto “Resist! Connect! Stand up!” explores possible courses of action under these circumstances and brings together solidaristic analyses and practices. Across four continents, we present the manifesto and share testimonies from transnational contexts of ongoing violence. At the same time, we call for building networks and standing together in solidarity to strengthen the emancipatory power of psychosocial work.

With contributions from Aluna Acompañamiento Psicosocial (Mexico), HAUKARI – Association for International Cooperation (Germany/Region of Kurdistan in Iraq), Mastura Institute for Applied Science in Psychosocial Work (Region of Kurdistan in Iraq), and Sophiatown Community Psychological Counselling (South Africa) from the network The Transnational Exchange on Staff Care and Psychosocial Accompaniment Practices in Contexts of Violence.

Jessica Horn (human rights defender, pan-African feminist, writer and poet) comments on the manifesto. We explicitly create space for political discussion and solidarity networking. The event will take place online and will be translated into German, English, Spanish, and Kurdish.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

This month we celebrate love in all its forms; romantic, self-love, friendships, colleagues etc.May this day and month b...
13/02/2026

This month we celebrate love in all its forms; romantic, self-love, friendships, colleagues etc.

May this day and month be a gentle reminder to check-in, reach out and care for your emotional well being and that of those around you.

Sophiatown Community Psychological Services would like to wish you a happy Valentine’s Day.

01/12/2025

Protecting Your Peace 🌿

It’s okay to set boundaries and choose where to invest your energy.

Here are some Life Hacks to safeguard your calm:
💫 Sift your friends — quality over quantity.
💫 Sometimes love from afar.
💫 (Andizi) Don’t always be available.
💫 Decline invitations when you need to.
💫 Stay in your lane.

Remember: protecting your peace is not selfish, it’s essential. 💚


👉 Which of these will you practice this week?

Address

No. 4 Lancaster Road, Westdene
Johannesburg
2092

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27114828530

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