Psychologists are being forced to close their practices because medical aid schemes are refusing to pay them.This is the picture painted by psychologists' organisations, which have taken the health minister to court over regulations that they say are hurting their patients and pockets.They fear a drastic reduction in the number of practising psychologists.About 75% of South Africans in need of mental care are not receiving it, it has been estimated. There are about 6800 psychologists practising in this country.Psychologists are not being reimbursed by some medical aid societies for providing treatment outside the categories for which they are registered.Several representative bodies are taking Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the Professional Board of Psychology, the Health Professions' Council of SA and the Board of Healthcare Funders of SA to court hoping for a ruling that will result in the repeal of the scope-of-practice regulations.Motsoaledi is defending the action and has objected to the case being heard, arguing that it has constitutional implications that must be publicised to allow interested parties to join the proceedings.According to the litigants, the regulations, issued in 2011, are "often interpreted to prevent psychologists from treating the full range of psychological conditions in line with their professional competency".After waiting for three years for the case to be heard in the Cape Town High Court, the Health Department asked for a postponement last week.The matter was postponed to August...