Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together few of the frequently asked questions with responses.
General Questions
How do I know I need counselling/therapy?
Therapy sessions can help you to gain clarity on an issue, change old patterns, untangle complex personal issues, or embark on a journey of self-development.
You may seek counselling as a result of a crisis, or you may be encouraged to seek counselling by family members, friends or colleagues.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Counseling focuses on specific issues and is designed to help a person address a particular problem, such as addiction or stress management.
Counseling is also usually more short-term than therapy. Psychotherapy is more long-term than counseling and focuses on a broader range of issues
How do I know the therapist is best for me?
You can learn about the therapist and approach by reading the profile on the homepage and therapy brochure.
For your therapy to be effective, it’s important you work with a psychologist you feel you can eventually trust. At your first meeting both you and the therapist will have an opportunity to honestly decide if you will benefit from working together.
How long should I expect to have to continue therapy?
The length of your treatment will very much depend on your unique circumstances and needs, with six sessions often recommended and a review after that.
It also depends on the type of therapy you choose to try. Cognitive behavioural therapy is designed to be short-term and lasts 6 to 20 sessions. Psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, and existential therapies tend to be longer term, and many last for many months or even years.
Keep in mind that once you start sessions, new issues and angles can arise you were not aware existed that you then want to explore. It is of course possible to also see improvement faster than you expected.
How does online therapy work?
Online therapy is a way to communicate with a licensed psychologist over the phone or computer. Common means of treatment include messaging, voice or video call.
How many hours is a counselling/therapy session?
Each session last about 30 for counselling and 50 minutes for therapy.
What is a concierge therapy?
Concierge therapy is a “total-care” service system implementing an anytime (for virtual service), anywhere practice model whereby clients have the security in knowing that their mental health provider will be available whenever the need arises. This “total-care” service offers flexible, immediate, and individualized treatment through various service models and retainer-style programs.
The benefit of this model is that it allows therapists to focus on the client’s treatment needs, rather than on watching the session clock. The provider’s attention is placed solely on the client.
Here are some benefits of concierge therapy:
- Same day or next day appointments.
- Unlimited communication by email, text message, and chats, including evenings and weekends.
- Response time is prompt, usually within 1 hour.
- Appointment settings can be in the client’s location of choice, whether such be in the client’s own home, the client’s office, the therapist’s office, or via telephone or video conference.
- Service hours are very flexible and therapist can be on-call.
- Extended session times: Instead of a standard 45- or 50-minute session, concierge clients receive 60-minute sessions as part of the service.
- Session length is based on the discussion, and session end times are estimates. A free grace period is often offered, should the extra time be needed.
I only want one session, will the therapist be able to help?
Generally your first session will be used as an assessment and consultation, rather than for treatment. This allows you to identify your issues as you see them, and for your therapist to start to gain an idea of what your needs are. So unfortunately, having just one session is unlikely to have any lasting benefit for you.
How much is a counselling/therapy session?
Please visit the appointment page to view all service fees.
Why do I need to attend weekly sessions?
The standard format of weekly sessions helps you make gradual and steady progress that means you see real results. In some cases, a therapist will agree to two or more sessions per week, if you both deem it beneficial and they have the availability.
Can I see my therapist more than once a week?
Yes. If you require more than one session a week, therapists may be able to accommodate this, with a review as things start to improve for you.
Sometimes, however, the therapist you are working with will not have any other availability, so will not be able to offer multiple weekly sessions.
Can I speak to a therapist before my appointment?
Your therapist may be in session with client during the day and simply can’t make time to talk to every potential client. Your consultation appointment is the time to ask any questions you might have, find out about how your therapist will work with you, and discover if you feel a connection.
Remember that while the majority of consultations proceed to a full course of treatment, you are under no obligation to continue.
For couples therapy, do we have to attend all sessions together?
Ideally, you will attend all sessions together as a couple. In instances where one of you is unable to attend, most therapists will see the person who can attend. The issues that arise in this individual session will then be shared at the next session when both partners are present.
It can also be done via video conference using Microsoft Teams and Skype can see you both via one of these platforms if required.
Can I change my appointment slot after my assessment?
Regular, consistent work with your therapist is essential to see the benefits of counselling and psychotherapy. Your therapist will therefore reserve a mutually convenient weekly slot for you that you agree on during your assessment, and it will remain the same until such time that you decide to end therapy by giving him or her one week’s notice.
Of course if the time you require appointments is not available, and you take another time slot while making it clear from the start this only works for you in the short-term, we will do our best to change you to a more appropriate slot when one becomes available.
I need to change my time slot for next week, is this possible?
Once you have agreed to a mutually convenient slot within the first one or two sessions with your therapist, you will be allocated to the same day and time on an ongoing basis. In the case of an occassional emergency where you need another slot, it is in some instances possible to change if therapists have a session become available, but it is not a guarantee.
Why do I have to pay for missed/cancelled sessions?
In order to reserve a certain time slot just for you, each week there will be a cancellation policy that applies. Your therapist will share this cancellation policy with you prior to your first appointment. Any and all missed sessions outside of the agreed to terms will be charged at the full fee, including holidays, work commitments, illness and other emergencies.
How do I pay for therapy session?
Payment is required at the time of making an appointment. You will be required to make online payments or bank transfers before session(s). The therapists do not accept cash or cheques
Do you offer concessions, discounts for students, or low-cost counselling/therapy?
Our therapists can unfortunately not offer you concessionary rates, free initial consultations, or discounts for block bookings.
However, our virtual counselling/therapy option where you can book a low cost therapy through a video platform such as Zoom or SKYPE is available.
Will any of my information be shared?
Therapists are committed to your privacy, so sharing your personal information is a rare occurrence.
There are two exceptions. The first is if your therapist were to become aware that you are an imminent danger to yourself or others, or that someone else is a danger to you. You would first be encouraged to seek necessary support, and if you were unable or unwilling to do so your therapist has a duty of care to seek this support on your behalf.
The second exception is if your therapist were to become aware that you intended to commit a major crime of any sort. In such a case they have a legal obligation to disclose such information to the relevant authorities.
*Note that for the purposes of therapy, personal drug use or addictions are not considered to be criminal activities (unless they involve anyone underage). They are seen only as areas to be addressed in therapy.
My partner, friend, or family member really needs therapy. Can I refer someone for counselling?
You may be very concerned about someone’s wellbeing and would like to see them have counselling. But it really is best if the person in question can reach out for support themselves. We are able to take enquiries from you on behalf of someone else, but you should have their full consent.
If you really feel you must suggest counselling to someone, do it in as calm and private a moment as possible. It’s important you express your concerns in a judgement-free manner, and backed up by facts over hearsay. Make it clear you support him or her and merely want to see them be helped in feeling better. Then leave them to make the decision for themselves.
Have a Different Question?
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Or call — (234) 808-352-3600
