Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes. Where your clinic has enabled it, Tymira360 can support direct payments to healthcare providers and wallet-based payments. Each clinic decides whether to offer this and which methods to accept, and options can also vary by country and finance partner, so not every clinic offers the same choices. Before you pay, check with your clinic how to pay, what the amount covers and what receipt you will receive.

Yes. Children can have physiotherapy when movement, posture, balance, strength, coordination, development, pain or taking part in daily life are affected. Paediatric physiotherapy is family-centred and adapted to the child's age, condition, abilities and goals. It often uses play, positioning and mobility practice rather than formal exercise alone. Parents and caregivers are usually involved so therapy goals become part of daily routines, and goals may include classroom access, playground play, sport, self-care or safe mobility.

Yes. Older adults can benefit from physiotherapy to improve mobility, strength, balance, confidence and independence, especially after illness, a hospital stay, injury, surgery, a fall or a gradual decline in function. Age itself is not a reason to avoid exercise; programmes are adapted to health, ability and risk. Targeted strength, balance and walking programmes can help reduce falls risk when matched to the person, and treatment can take place at home when that is clinically appropriate and safely organised.

Yes. Physiotherapy can be combined with medication or injections as part of a coordinated care plan. Medicines may help control pain, inflammation or muscle spasm so you can take part in rehabilitation, and injections are sometimes used in selected conditions alongside exercise, education and graded activity. An injection usually does not replace rehabilitation. Physiotherapists work within their professional scope and should not change your medication; that decision belongs to the prescriber responsible for it.

Yes. Physiotherapy can be combined with mental health support when pain, disability, fear of movement, stress, trauma, anxiety or low mood affect recovery. Persistent pain can affect sleep, confidence, relationships, work and mood, and distress can make rehabilitation harder to start or keep going. Pain is real and needing this support does not mean the problem is 'all in your head'. Physiotherapy focuses on graded activity, function and confidence, while a mental health professional addresses distress, coping and mood.

Yes. Physiotherapy can be provided at home when travel is difficult, mobility is limited, you are recovering from surgery or illness, or practising real tasks in your own surroundings would help. Home physiotherapy is not necessarily less effective; it depends on the condition, goals and whether the setting suits the treatment planned. Caregivers can take part with your consent and clear instruction, and many people combine home and clinic visits. Some assessments or equipment are only available in a clinic.

Yes. Before surgery, physiotherapy (sometimes called prehabilitation) can improve strength, understanding and readiness for recovery. For some musculoskeletal problems, structured exercise and education may improve pain and function enough to delay or avoid an operation, though it cannot prevent every operation or repair every structural injury. After surgery, physiotherapy supports safe mobility, breathing, swelling management, range of movement, strength and return to daily activities, following your surgeon's instructions and precautions.

Physiotherapy can help many people living with persistent pain by improving function, confidence, strength, pacing and participation in daily life. Care may include education about pain, graded activity and exercise, pacing, sleep and work strategies, and support to return to meaningful activities. The goal is not always to remove pain completely, but to help you live and move more effectively and safely. A physiotherapist should assess you first and review your plan regularly.

It depends. Many private physiotherapy services accept direct bookings, but referral rules vary by country, facility, insurer and condition. Some insurance plans, public services and post-surgery pathways need a referral from a doctor, surgeon or specialist for safety or cover, so check with your insurer and clinic before treatment. Even if you book directly, a physiotherapist may refer you to a doctor or another professional if your symptoms fall outside physiotherapy or show warning signs.

Yes. In 2025 the Ministry of Health announced that mental health services are part of the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits package, including outpatient consultation, counselling, inpatient care and rehabilitation for substance use. What you can use depends on whether the facility is SHA-contracted and on current benefit limits, so confirm with the facility before your appointment.

Only if the therapist or practice is contracted by SHA. Many private counsellors are not, so ask before booking.

The Ministry of Health has said rehabilitation for drug and substance use is part of the mental health benefits. Confirm limits with the facility.

NHIF was replaced by the Social Health Authority (SHA). Older information that mentions NHIF cover may no longer apply.

Physiotherapy goals are set jointly by you and your physiotherapist. Good goals describe an activity that matters to you, such as walking to work, climbing stairs or caring for a child, record your starting point, define how progress will be measured and set a realistic review date. Many services use SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Goals are not fixed and should be adjusted when your recovery, needs or circumstances change.

Start by deciding what kind of help you need, such as counselling, therapy, a psychiatric review or support from primary care. Ask a trusted clinic, your doctor, insurer, employer programme or a recognised mental health organisation for referrals. Before booking, check the provider's qualifications and registration, experience with your concern, fees, language and how they handle confidentiality and emergencies. If no provider is nearby, primary care or online therapy may help.

Start with your child's doctor, a school counsellor, or a registered child and adolescent psychologist or counsellor. For severe symptoms or any talk of self-harm, seek urgent help through a hospital or the 1199 line. In Kenya, a parent or guardian usually gives consent for a child's care, and good practitioners also respect the young person's privacy where it is safe.

Usually yes for children. The practitioner should explain how consent and the young person's privacy work.

Yes, school counsellors are often a good first step and can refer to specialist services.

It can be for some teenagers, provided they have a private space and the practitioner has a clear safety plan.

Many clinics and therapists in Kenya now take bookings online through their website, a booking link or WhatsApp. Choose a registered professional, pick a time, share basic contact details, and pay the deposit or fee, often by M-Pesa. Before booking, check how the practice protects your information and what its cancellation policy is.

Some practices offer same-day or next-day slots, especially online. If you need urgent help, call 1199 or go to an emergency department.

Some practices take a deposit or full payment at booking; others charge after the session. The booking page should say.

Usually yes, within the practice's cancellation window. Check the policy before you book.

In Kenya, counsellors and psychologists must be registered with the Counsellors and Psychologists Board under the Counsellors and Psychologists Act, 2014, and the titles are protected by law. You can check registration through the Board, and psychiatrists through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Membership of a professional association is not the same as being on the statutory register.

Yes. 'Counsellor' and 'psychologist' are protected titles under the Counsellors and Psychologists Act, 2014.

Registration with the Board is a legal requirement to practise. Association membership is voluntary and does not replace it.

Yes. Concerns about a registered counsellor or psychologist can be raised with the Counsellors and Psychologists Board.

Consider talking to a mental health professional if low mood, worry, stress, grief or changes in sleep, appetite or energy last more than two weeks or make it hard to work, study or enjoy relationships. You do not need to be in crisis to start therapy. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help today.

Yes. More Kenyans are using therapy for stress, relationships, grief and mental health conditions, and talking to a professional is a sign of strength.

Yes. Therapy can help you understand stress, set boundaries and build coping strategies.

Free lines such as 1199 and Befrienders Kenya can listen and point you to low-cost services.

Therapy, or psychotherapy, is a structured, collaborative relationship with a trained professional. Together you identify concerns, agree goals, explore patterns in thoughts, feelings, behaviour or relationships, practise new skills and review progress. Approaches differ, including cognitive behavioural, interpersonal, psychodynamic, trauma-focused and family therapies, and no single approach suits everyone. Therapy is generally confidential, with limits your provider should explain, and can sometimes take place online.

Physiotherapy progress is measured by comparing where you started with follow-up results across your goals, everyday function, symptoms, physical measurements and agreed outcome tools. Progress is not only about less pain: walking further, sleeping better, returning to work or feeling more confident all count, and function often improves before pain changes. Results are reviewed at planned points to decide whether care continues, changes, pauses, is referred on or ends.

There is no universal number of physiotherapy sessions. It depends on the condition and its severity, the stage of recovery, your goals, how you respond to treatment, how well you manage the home programme, and practical factors such as access, travel and funding. Some problems need only one or two sessions of advice; neurological rehabilitation often takes longer. Progress should be reviewed at agreed points rather than sessions continuing automatically, and visits often become less frequent as you become more independent.

Private therapy in Kenya usually costs about KES 2,000 to KES 9,000 per session, depending on the professional and location. Counsellors tend to charge less than clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists charge more because they are medical doctors. Some practitioners offer sliding-scale fees, and public facilities and SHA-covered services can lower the cost.

Often a little, because the practice has lower costs and you save on transport, but fees depend on the professional rather than the format.

Some private medical covers include outpatient mental health, often with limits. Check your policy, and ask the practice whether it can bill your insurer or SHA directly.

It depends on what you are seeking help for. Many people start with 6 to 12 sessions and review progress with their therapist.

Most private practices in Kenya accept M-Pesa through a Paybill or Till number. Ask for a receipt for each session.

Discharge from physiotherapy does not always mean full recovery. It may mean you can now manage safely on your own, or that another service is a better fit. Before discharge, your physiotherapist should review your progress, remaining limitations, exercise plan, equipment needs and warning signs, and explain when to seek help. You should leave knowing what to keep doing, how to progress it and who to contact. You can usually return if symptoms come back, function declines or you have new goals.

Before your first appointment, jot down your main concerns, when they started and how they affect sleep, work, relationships and daily life. Note any medicines, alcohol or substance use, past treatment and physical health conditions, and write down questions about confidentiality, fees and next steps. You do not need a perfect explanation or complete records, as the provider should help structure the conversation. If there is immediate danger, do not wait for the appointment.

Yes. Many registered counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists in Kenya offer online therapy by video or phone. It can be private and effective when the practitioner is registered, uses a secure platform, explains how your information is stored, and has a plan if the call drops or you feel unsafe during a session.

For many people and concerns it can be, but suitability depends on your situation. Your therapist can advise whether online sessions are right for you.

Some psychiatrists offer online consultations. Prescribing rules apply, so ask how prescriptions and follow-up work.

Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019 treats health data as sensitive personal data, so practices must protect it. Ask how your data is stored.

Physiotherapy should not be severely painful. Some assessment or exercise can cause temporary, tolerable discomfort, such as muscle effort, a stretching feeling or mild soreness that settles. Your physiotherapist should explain what to expect, agree symptom limits with you and adjust treatment if pain is sharp, severe, unusual, worsening or slow to settle. You should not simply push through pain, and the plan can be adapted if you are anxious about it.

Yes. What you share in therapy in Kenya is confidential, and health information is protected as sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2019. There are limited exceptions, such as a serious risk of harm to you or others, safeguarding concerns about a child, or a court order. A good therapist explains these limits at the first session.

Not from your therapist without your consent. If your employer's insurance pays, ask what information the insurer receives.

For adults, no. For children and teenagers, parents or guardians are usually involved, but therapists aim to protect a young person's privacy where it is safe.

Practices keep records for a set period under their policy and the law. Ask the practice what its retention period is.

Therapy is generally private, but confidentiality is not unlimited. Your provider should explain what is recorded, who can access your records and when information may be shared, for example for supervision, payment or referrals. Limits usually apply when there is a serious risk of harm, to protect children or vulnerable people, or under a court order or other legal duty. Exact rules depend on the country, the provider, the setting and the patient's age.

Physiotherapy can help people whose movement, strength, balance, breathing, endurance or daily function has been affected by injury, illness, surgery, disability, ageing or persistent pain. Common areas include muscle and joint problems, sports injuries, recovery after surgery, neurological conditions, balance difficulties, heart and lung rehabilitation, childhood movement conditions and pelvic health. The exact role depends on your assessment, risks and goals, and sometimes another professional or urgent medical review is needed first.

Mental health is shaped by many interacting factors rather than a single cause. These include biological factors such as genetics, physical illness, sleep and substance use; psychological factors such as past experiences and coping patterns; and social and economic factors such as relationships, income, housing, safety, discrimination and access to care. Protective factors, like supportive relationships and stable housing, can reduce risk. Having a risk factor does not mean someone will develop a condition.

A first physiotherapy appointment is mainly an assessment. The physiotherapist asks about the main problem, medical history, medicines, previous tests and treatment, daily activities and goals. They then assess relevant movement, strength, balance, walking, breathing or everyday tasks, explain the findings and agree a treatment or referral plan. You may receive first exercises or advice, but only once there is enough information to prescribe them safely. First visits are often longer than follow-ups.

A mental health assessment is a structured conversation with a qualified professional to understand your concerns, symptoms, strengths, daily functioning, physical health, medicines, substance use, social situation and safety. It may include an interview, questionnaires, observation and, with your consent, information from family or other professionals. The aim is to agree on next steps. An assessment does not always produce a diagnosis straight away.

A home exercise programme is a personalised set of exercises or activities you do between physiotherapy appointments. It should give clear instructions for each exercise, its purpose, repetitions or duration, how often to do it, any equipment, and which symptoms mean you should adjust or stop. It matters because much rehabilitation depends on regular, correctly performed practice between visits. A shorter programme you can manage usually helps more than a long routine you cannot keep up.

A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that usually peaks quickly. It can bring a racing heart, breathlessness, chest discomfort, dizziness, trembling, sweating, nausea, tingling, a sense of unreality or fear of losing control or dying. Attacks can happen without warning. Because several medical conditions cause similar symptoms, a first, severe or unusual episode may need medical assessment. Panic attacks are treatable.

A physiotherapy treatment plan sets out your main problems, goals, the treatments chosen, exercise dosage, precautions, session frequency, home activities, review dates and expected outcomes. Each part should link back to the assessment, so it is clear why an intervention was chosen and whether it helped. The plan should be agreed with you, and you should understand it, often with written or digital instructions. It is updated when progress, goals, symptoms or risks change; changing the plan is normal, not a failure.

Anxiety is a natural response to threat or uncertainty, involving worry, fear, tension and physical signs such as a racing heart. Some anxiety is normal and even helpful, for example before an exam. It may point to an anxiety disorder when the worry is excessive, persistent, hard to control, leads to repeated avoidance or disrupts sleep, work, relationships or self-care. Only a professional assessment can diagnose it, but you can seek help without a diagnosis.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured psychological therapy that looks at how thoughts, feelings, behaviour and physical sensations affect each other. With a trained therapist, you set goals, spot unhelpful patterns and test new ways of responding, often with practice between sessions. CBT is not simply positive thinking. It can help with several conditions, but it is not the only effective therapy and is not right for everyone.

Sadness is a normal response to loss or difficulty. It often comes in waves, stays linked to a specific event and eases with time and support. Depression is a broader, more persistent pattern of low mood or loss of interest, with changes in energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, self-worth and daily functioning. Some people mainly notice irritability or physical symptoms. Depression is not a weakness, and people of any age can improve with support.

Mental health is your emotional, psychological and social well-being. It shapes how you think, feel, cope with stress, relate to others, make decisions and take part in daily life. Everyone has mental health, and it is not defined only by whether someone has a diagnosis. Good mental health does not mean never feeling sad or worried. It can change over time and can improve with support, relationships and care.

Physiotherapy is a regulated health profession that helps people improve movement, strength, balance, endurance and daily function after injury, illness, surgery, disability or persistent pain. A physiotherapist assesses how your symptoms and circumstances affect daily life, then agrees goals and a plan that may include education, exercise, mobility training and self-management support. It is often part of wider rehabilitation, which aims to improve or maintain independence and participation in work, school, family life and the community.

Mental health stigma is negative stereotyping, shame, fear or unfair judgement directed at people with mental health difficulties. It can come from the public, from institutions such as workplaces, schools or health services, and from within, when people start to believe negative messages about themselves. Stigma can delay help-seeking, discourage people from speaking up and lead to discrimination. Respectful language, confidential care and accessible services help reduce it.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health and can usually diagnose conditions and prescribe and monitor medication. A clinical psychologist is trained in psychology and provides psychological assessment and therapy, but usually does not prescribe. Therapist is a broader term: a therapist may be a psychologist, counsellor, social worker, psychiatric nurse or other trained professional. Exact roles vary by country, so check qualifications and registration.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. A clinical psychologist assesses and treats mental health conditions with psychological therapies but does not prescribe. A counsellor provides talking therapy for emotional and life difficulties. In Kenya, psychiatrists are registered with KMPDC, and counsellors and psychologists with the Counsellors and Psychologists Board.

No. Only medical practitioners such as psychiatrists and other doctors can prescribe medication.

Not always for private practice, but public hospitals and some insurers or SHA pathways may require one.

Counsellors usually charge less per session than psychiatrists. See our guide to therapy costs in Kenya.

Mental health describes everyone's emotional, psychological and social well-being. Mental illness, or a mental health condition, refers to a diagnosable pattern of thoughts, emotions, behaviour or perception that causes significant distress, affects daily functioning or creates safety concerns. You can have poor mental health without a mental illness, for example during grief or stress, and someone living with a condition can still have strong well-being and recovery.

Screening is a brief check, often a short questionnaire, that flags symptoms or risks that may need a closer look. Diagnosis is a clinical conclusion reached by a qualified professional after considering your history, symptoms, how long they have lasted, daily functioning, context and other possible explanations. A positive screen does not confirm a condition, a negative one does not rule it out, and apps or online quizzes cannot diagnose.

Physiotherapy focuses on movement, physical function and rehabilitation, using assessment, education and exercise to improve strength, balance and mobility. Occupational therapy focuses on helping people manage daily activities, work, school and routines, often by adapting tasks or environments. Chiropractic care commonly treats musculoskeletal complaints, especially spinal problems, and may use joint manipulation. Training, scope, regulation and evidence differ by country, so choose a properly qualified, registered professional whose approach fits your needs.

Ask about their qualifications and registration, experience with your concern, therapy approach, how goals are set and how progress is reviewed. Also ask about confidentiality and its limits, fees and cancellation rules, session format, language and what happens in an emergency. A good fit means you feel respected, listened to and clear about the plan, even when sessions feel difficult. It is fine to raise concerns or change therapist.

Bring any referral letter, relevant scan or test reports, a current list of medicines, details of previous treatment, your insurance or payment details, and any brace, walking aid or equipment you use. Wear comfortable clothing that lets the affected area move and be examined, such as shorts, loose trousers, a T-shirt or sportswear. It also helps to bring a short list of your goals and questions. You are usually welcome to bring someone with you.

Take it seriously. Ask calmly and directly whether they are thinking about suicide or self-harm, whether they have a plan and whether they can stay safe. Asking does not put the idea in their mind. Listen without judgement and do not promise to keep it secret. If risk seems imminent, stay with them, remove dangerous means if it is safe to do so and call 999, 112 or 911 in Kenya, or your local emergency number.

If someone is in immediate danger, or may harm themselves or another person, get help now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911 for emergency services. For urgent emotional support, the Kenya Red Cross toll-free line is 1199. Outside Kenya, call your local emergency number. Online tools, messages and patient portals are not for emergencies, because they may not be read straight away.

Your first therapy session is mostly about getting to know each other. The therapist will explain confidentiality and fees, ask what brings you to therapy, and talk about your goals. You can ask questions about their approach and experience. It is normal to feel nervous, and you only need to share what you are comfortable with.

Most sessions last 45 to 60 minutes. First sessions are sometimes longer.

That is okay. A good fit matters, and you can try a different therapist.

Only if it is relevant to your goals and you are ready. You are in control of what you share.

Routine physiotherapy should stop and you should get urgent medical help for symptoms such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, facial droop or speech difficulty, collapse, major injury or suspected fracture, new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or buttocks, rapidly worsening numbness, high fever with severe pain, or a cold, pale limb. These can signal serious conditions that need medical diagnosis first. Symptoms can be urgent even when pain is mild.

Consider seeing a mental health professional when emotional or behavioural changes last longer than expected, keep returning, feel hard to manage or affect sleep, relationships, work, school or self-care. Increased alcohol or drug use, withdrawal from others or hopelessness are also reasons to seek help. You do not need a diagnosis, or to wait for a crisis, before asking for support. Suicidal thoughts or being unable to stay safe need urgent help.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. For free support, you can call the Kenya Red Cross line 1199, Befrienders Kenya on +254 722 178 177, or Niskize on 0900 620 800. For alcohol and drug concerns, the NACADA helpline is 1192.

Yes. The Ministry of Health and Kenya Red Cross describe 1199 as a free line for people who need psychological support.

Take it seriously, stay with them if you can, remove anything they could use to harm themselves, and call 1199, 999 or 112, or take them to the nearest emergency department.

Befrienders Kenya can be reached by SMS and WhatsApp on +254 722 178 177.

You can call the free NACADA helpline on 1192 for advice and referrals to treatment in Kenya. Help is also available from public and private rehabilitation centres, county hospitals, counsellors who specialise in addiction, and peer support groups. The Ministry of Health has said rehabilitation for substance use is part of SHA mental health cover.

It can be. Stopping heavy drinking suddenly can need medical supervision, so speak to a doctor before stopping.

The Ministry of Health has said substance-use rehabilitation is covered. Confirm with the centre that it is SHA-contracted and what limits apply.

Call 1192 for advice, look after your own wellbeing, and consider a family support group or counsellor.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999, 112 or 911 in Kenya, or go to the nearest emergency department. For urgent emotional support, the Kenya Red Cross toll-free line is 1199. Concerns that are serious but not immediately dangerous can be assessed by a hospital, crisis service, primary care clinic or urgent mental health provider. Do not wait for a routine appointment with a usual therapist when risk is rising quickly.

Your health information should only be available to authorised people involved in your care or in running your clinic, such as your clinician or the staff who manage appointments and billing, and only to the extent their role requires. Access is set by your clinic's privacy controls, your consent and the law. In Kenya, health data is sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2019, and you can ask your clinic how it is used.

Physiotherapy may seem not to be working when the diagnosis, goals, treatment dose, home practice, barriers or expectations need review. Recovery rates vary, so slow progress does not mean failure. The condition may have changed, the plan may not match the main problem, exercise dosage may be unsuitable, or sleep, work, mood, money or transport may be getting in the way. Lack of progress should prompt a reassessment with your physiotherapist rather than blame or simply continuing the same plan.

Your provider may ask you to use the Tymira360 patient portal so you can check and manage appointments, complete intake forms before your visit, receive clinic updates, review information your clinic has shared and communicate with the care team more clearly. Each clinic chooses which features to switch on, so your experience may differ. The portal is not for emergencies: if you need urgent help, contact emergency services.