Frequently Asked Questions
It is a common misconception to think that only seriously ill people need counselling help. Studies show that over eighty percent of people can benefit from counselling at some time in their lives. Therefore, it is normal to need counselling when special concerns or difficult feelings arise.
Most people have a problem at some stage in their lives with anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, negative automatic though processes, etc. Therapy can be the most life changing experience and begins with just a single step. If you are considering it, this is an indication that you probably could benefit from the experience.
Generally, you will meet for therapy regularly for about an hour usually at the same time once each week. The goal of counselling is to learn about our habits and patterns of feeling and behavior and how they cause us problems. We can then learn new habits and patterns which will be more successful for us.
Counselling provides a special setting in which we can learn about ourselves enabling us to be more effective in our relationships with others and with ourselves.
People attend therapy for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing issues such as anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes, work related stress, relationship breakup, job loss or work transition etc.
Many seek the support of therapy as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Counselling and psychotherapy is beneficial for anyone interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness and working towards change in their lives using models of therapy such as CBT, reflective practice and self awareness.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, you may benefit from extra support at this time.
By engaging in counselling or psychotherapy you are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation.
Therapy provides you with a safe, confidential and supportive place to explore the difficulties you are facing in your life. It can provide long lasting benefits, giving you the self-knowledge and tools you need to avoid triggers, to change patterns that aren’t helpful for you and to support you in whatever challenges you face.
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot always be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behaviour patterns that are not helping us.
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy can be the right course of action. This involves working collaboratively with your medical Doctor.
There are many different terms to describe professionals working in the mental health industry – each helping in different ways. Understanding the key differences between these professionals and how they can offer support should help you decide which one is right for you if/when you decide to seek help.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders, covering diagnosis, management and prevention. A psychiatrist must undergo full medical training as a doctor before choosing to specialize in psychiatry. Once a psychiatrist has become fully trained, they can go on to specialize further in general psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, old age psychiatry, and psychiatry of learning disabilities, psychotherapy or child and adolescent psychiatry.
Unlike many other mental health professionals, psychiatrists can assist in medical treatment and testing as they have the appropriate training.
Psychologist
Psychology is the study of the human mind and the way we think, act and behave. As well as looking at the way our minds work in day-to-day life, psychologists are also interested in mental health conditions. The title of psychologist can be given to someone who has completed a degree in psychology.
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is a term used to describe a range of talking therapies and covering the approaches and methods used within each type. It is this broad usage which has led some professionals to use the titles psychotherapist and counsellor interchangeably. When we talk about a psychotherapist, we are talking about a professional who works with clients to help them overcome a range of emotional, social and mental health issues through talk therapies.
Counsellor
A counsellor will use psychotherapy to help clients develop understanding and insight into their behaviours/feelings, with the aim of overcoming difficulties. In some cases the simple act of talking through difficulties with a counsellor can help the client, in other cases a more tailored therapy approach is required. This will depend on the nature of the concern and will be assessed by the counsellor.
Psychological therapies generally fall into three categories:
Behavioural therapies, which focus on cognitions and behaviours
Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic therapies, which focus on the unconscious relationship patterns that evolved from childhood
Humanistic therapies, which focus on looking at the ‘here and now’
This is a broad generalization and counselling and psychotherapy usually overlap some of these techniques.
Ideally you will attend most of the sessions together as a couple.
Session 1: Couple
Session 2: Couple
Session 3: One party
Session 4: The other party
Session 5: Couple
Session 6: Couple
In instances where one of you is unable to attend, we 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.
We also work via video conference using Skype, FaceTime, or WhatsApp, and can see you both via one of these platforms if required.
Each session will usually last 60-90 minutes, this is flexible so that you can come to an agreement for session duration and number of sessions being committed, after discussion with your therapist during the first session.
We offer weekly sessions, however this can vary depending on the type of therapy and your personal requirements.
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.
We do offer the facility of online session via Skype, FaceTime, or WhatsApp. Telephone counselling can be set up on request. Payments for these sessions need to be made before the session begins.
We have a flexible price plan to make it easier for you if your case requires a long term arrangement with the therapist.
1st session: INR 3,000/-
2nd session: INR 2,000/-
3rd session onwards: INR 1,500/-
For further information please check the fees tab.
Each of the therapists sets their own individual rates. Reasons why some therapists charge more than others can be based on their own principles and values, how they value their work, the extent of their experience and knowledge of working with clients, the types of therapy they offer, their own circumstances, etc.
The therapist will take payment in full at the end of each session via cash, cheque or PayTM, but no card payment at Goregaon. However, if you are attending sessions at Spandan we have the facility to accept credit or debit cards there. You can also do a bank transfer if required.
You will be sent an invoice for any missed or cancelled sessions that do not abide by the cancellation agreement you have with your therapist, and invoices must be paid upon receipt. Do note that any unpaid bills may be passed on to a debt collection agency.
In order to reserve a certain time slot just for you each week there will be a cancellation policy that applies. Any and all missed sessions outside of the agreed to terms will be charged at the full fee, including holidays, work commitments and sudden illness. This will be discussed with you by your therapist in your first session and the cancellation policy will be explained to you.
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 during your first session, 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.
The standard format of weekly sessions helps you make gradual and steady progress that means you see real results. In some cases, we may agree to two or more sessions per week, if both client and the therapist consider it will be beneficial to you.
Yes, we do offer seminars, workshops and events and would encourage you to also attend if we feel it would benefit your therapeutic progress. Visit our events page to find out details of upcoming ones.
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.
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 six 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.
