Specialist General Psychiatrist | Somerset West
Psychiatric Referrals Process
Referrals for Psychiatric, Neuromodulation and Sleep Services
I welcome referrals for neuromodulation therapies and sleep services from psychiatrists, general practitioners, psychologists, and other registered healthcare professionals. I also accept self-referrals, provided that appropriate screening and documentation are in place.
This page outlines how to initiate a referral and what to expect at each stage of the process.
Referral-Based Services Available at the Practice
Referral-Based Neuromodulation Therapies
A referral is required for access to interventional therapies offered through the practice.
These include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), IV Ketamine (IVK) Therapy, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), and Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS). Each therapy is delivered under clinical supervision and considered as part of a broader treatment plan in collaboration with the referring provider.
The steps below outline the referral process in more detail.
Step 1
Initial Enquiry or Submission
A completed referral form is required for interventional therapies.
Referring providers may contact the practice directly via phone, email, or visit our Contact page for more information.
Self-referrals are also accepted. In such cases, patients will undergo an additional clinical review and may be assessed by an affiliated psychiatrist before starting treatment.
Download the relevant referral form to begin the process:
Step 2
Pre-admission Screening
Once the referral is received:
- The referral is reviewed by the neuromodulation coordinator
- Clinical inclusion/exclusion criteria are evaluated
- The patient is asked to complete a brief medical history form and symptom rating scale.
Step 3
Clinical Oversight
All interventional therapies require that a psychiatrist hold clinical responsibility. This can happen in one of two ways:
Referral-Based Model
The referring psychiatrist retains clinical responsibility. I provide treatment, monitoring, and regular updates.
Affiliated Psychiatrist Model
For self-referrals or by request, a psychiatrist affiliated with the practice assumes temporary clinical responsibility during treatment.
In both cases, information sharing is guided by informed consent.
Step 4
Medical Aid Authorisation
We assist with medical aid funding requests by providing ICD-10 codes (e.g. F33.2) and motivation letters where required.
Patients are encouraged to confirm benefits and processing timelines directly with their medical scheme, as authorisation may take 1–3 weeks.
Step 5
Registration and Scheduling
Once authorised:
- The patient is onboarded via our secure practice portal
- Appointments are scheduled in line with clinical protocols
- Progress tracking begins prior to the first session
Step 6
Therapy Delivery
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Session 1: Baseline measures and informed consent
- Session 2: Motor threshold mapping
Standard course: 30 sessions over 6 weeks (or accelerated format)
IV Ketamine (IVK) Therapy
- 6 infusions over 2–3 weeks
- Structured treatment plan with medical and psychological support
Step 7
Outcome Monitoring
Validated mental health measures are collected at baseline and every 2 weeks throughout therapy. Summary reports are shared with the referring provider where appropriate.
Home-Based Sleep Studies & CPAP-Titration
If you or your patient experience symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, or heavy snoring, a home-based sleep study may be appropriate.
- Referral & Screening – Healthcare provider completes a referral
- Funding Check – Our team verifies medical aid cover
- Device Delivery – Sleep test kit, is provided with instructions
- Home Study – The patient completes the test overnight
- Device Return – Returned by courier or in person
- Data Analysis – Our team compiles and interprets the results
- CPAP Support – If obstructive sleep apnoea is confirmed, we offer CPAP titration and mask fitting
This end-to-end service is offered through the practice and is supervised clinically to ensure accuracy and comfort throughout.
Download the Home-Based Sleep Studies & CPAP-Titration referral form
My practice is a registered demonstration site for Sentiverse, a South African provider of neuromodulation therapies and wellness technologies. This affiliation allows referred patients to access selected evidence-based tools — such as tDCS and tVNS devices — as part of a structured, clinically guided treatment process.