The impact of COVID-19 on psychological practitioners’ private practices in South Africa

Orientation: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted businesses globally and changed how organisations operated and delivered services. Research purpose: This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the private practices of psychological practitioners in South Africa. Motivation for the study: The pandemic caused economic disruption, forcing businesses to suspend services, reduce operations or retrench employees. Psychological practitioners also faced reduced client access, financial pressure, changing needs and uncertainty about continuity. Understanding these experiences helps explain how private practices adapted during crisis conditions. Research approach/design and method: A hermeneutic phenomenological approach explored the lived experiences of 10 practitioners in private practice. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Main findings: COVID-19 significantly undermined the viability of practitioners’ private practices. This was linked to fewer business opportunities, reduced income, limited financial resources, disrupted referrals and uncertainty about service delivery. Yet practitioners adopted strategies that strengthened coping, resilience and sustainability, including online consultations, flexible delivery, cost containment, client communication, collaboration, support networks and self-care. Practical/managerial implications: The study highlights the need for professional, institutional and business-related support to help psychological practitioners navigate crises effectively. It also identifies strategies that may help private practices remain resilient and sustainable during turbulent times. Contribution/value-add: The study contributes to literature on coping, resilience and sustainability by showing how practitioners adapted during COVID-19. The findings offer insight into strategies that support wellbeing, business continuity and private practice viability.