1. What is counselling and psychotherapy?
Counseling or psychotherapy serves as a form of verbal therapy, providing a space for individuals to delve deeply into the challenges that impact their lives, encompassing emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This exploration occurs in a non-judgmental and secure environment. Throughout life, we all encounter difficulties, and the recollection of these experiences, along with the associated distressing emotions, can linger without acknowledgment.
Unresolved feelings may lead to emotional struggles and/or compromised health. Recognizing the necessity for assistance marks the initial step toward recovery. Counseling becomes relevant when an individual grappling with emotional or psychological issues seeks the guidance of a counselor to navigate through them.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of counseling, ensuring the safety and privacy of the therapeutic relationship. Under normal circumstances, discussions remain private. Only in exceptionally rare situations, such as when there’s concern for your safety or the safety of others, would I consider consulting with another professional. Even in such cases, my preference is to communicate with you first.
People often turn to counseling during specific junctures in their lives when they feel distressed, unhappy, or troubled in ways that defy easy description. These feelings may stem from past hardships, current challenges, or anxieties about the future. Alternatively, some seek counseling as a means of fostering personal growth and heightened self-awareness.
Counseling or psychotherapy serves as a guide to understanding concerns in novel ways and cultivating clarity and insight. The process involves unlocking suppressed emotions, building confidence, and gradually, with the counselor’s assistance, discovering solutions to cope with and enhance one’s life. When engaging with a counselor, you’re encouraged to openly share your feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
2. How can counselling help me?
Counseling can help you by providing support, offering perspective, and developing coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges. It promotes self-awareness and empowers you to make positive changes.
3. Is counselling confidential?
Yes, counseling is confidential, meaning that what you discuss with your counselor is private. However, there are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality in certain situations, such as potential harm to yourself or others.
4. How long does counseling typically last?
The duration varies based on individual needs and goals. Short-term counseling may address immediate concerns, while long-term counseling can support deeper exploration and lasting change.
5. Can counseling be done online?
Yes, many counselors offer online sessions, providing flexibility and accessibility. Online counseling can be as effective as in-person sessions.
6. How long do counselling sessions last?
Individual and couple counselling sessions last for 45 minutes.
Family counselling sessions with more than two clients last for 45 minutes.
If you arrive late for your appointment, we cannot extend the scheduled end time.
1. What languages do you offer counselling sessions in?
We are currently able to offer counselling in Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi.
Please do mention before counselling would be helpful for you when arranging your first appointment.
2. Do you have a cancellation policy?
Due to the high demand for counselling services, we have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Any appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are still chargeable.
If you do not attend or arrive more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, without any prior contact or notice, this is also considered as a non-refundable cancellation.
3. How do I know if I should go to therapy?
Determining whether therapy is the right choice for you is a personal decision. Many individuals decide to pursue therapy either on the suggestion of friends or family or when they recognize areas in their life that could benefit from improvement. Therapy serves as a valuable resource for navigating crises, untangling complex personal issues, or addressing the aftermath of a traumatic event.
In essence, therapy offers a dedicated space to explore and articulate your emotions. It facilitates the connection between your present feelings and past experiences, helping you gain insight into your current state of mind.
A therapist can guide you through processing emotions and resolving challenges, fostering the development of skills and healthy coping mechanisms. Ultimately, therapy provides a supportive environment for personal growth and well-being.
4. Do you offer free initial consultations?
We provide a free initial phone consultation, offering you the opportunity to inquire about our practice and discuss your current concerns. During this session, you are encouraged to ask any questions you may have. If, mutually, we determine that our services align with your needs and preferences, we can proceed to schedule a formal session for our collaboration. This initial consultation serves as a valuable introduction, facilitating an open exchange of information and ensuring that our approach is tailored to meet your specific requirements.
5. Is the process confidential? Will my family come to know about it?
Confidentiality in counseling is a fundamental aspect of our practice, creating a secure space for clients to openly explore sensitive experiences. We are committed to ensuring that any information shared within the counseling room remains private and will not be repeated or misused outside of the therapeutic context. The privacy and well-being of our clients are paramount, and our clinic strictly adheres to a confidentiality policy that safeguards the identities of all clients, including those making inquiry calls.
Our commitment to confidentiality aligns with the ethical codes and guidelines established by various international organizations. Upholding these standards is a source of pride for us, as it reinforces the trust and safety that our clients deserve throughout their therapeutic journey.
6. What does having Managed your services provider?
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7. What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist and counsellor?
High-Level Guide to Mental Health Professionals:
Psychiatrist:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. They undergo comprehensive medical training before specializing in psychiatry. With the ability to prescribe medications, psychiatrists assist in managing and prescribing medications to address mental health issues.
Psychologist:
Psychologists extensively study human emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Holding a Ph.D. in psychology, they utilize their knowledge to help individuals understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe or manage medications.
Psychotherapist:
Trained in talk therapies, psychotherapists help individuals tackle emotional, social, and mental health challenges. While similar to counseling, psychotherapy delves deeper, often exploring past experiences, such as childhood and adolescence, to understand and address current issues. Psychotherapy is typically a more extended process compared to counseling, aiming to uncover and address the root causes of struggles.
Counsellor:
Counselors employ talk therapy to assist clients in understanding their behaviors and feelings. While they may touch on the past, counseling primarily focuses on addressing current issues. Typically short-term, counseling is geared towards helping clients navigate present challenges without delving extensively into their past.
Note: The distinctions between these roles can vary by country, and some professionals may hold dual qualifications, blurring the lines between these categories. It is recommended to research and understand the specific definitions and practices in your country.
8. What is the time frame for Counseling?
The duration of our Counseling session is individually customized for each client, taking into account various factors such as the number of sessions, session frequency, specific goals, and the client’s progress. Typically, a therapy program spans a few weeks, with a minimum of one session per week. However, the frequency may be adjusted based on the unique needs of each client.
It’s important to note that achieving therapeutic goals is a gradual process, and the duration of psychotherapy and counseling session is not designed for quick fixes. Unlike approaches centered on advice giving or providing instant solutions, counseling and psychotherapy involves a more in-depth exploration and understanding of emotions and experiences. Consequently, achieving meaningful progress may require more time and consistency in sessions. As such, we emphasize that clients should be prepared for a commitment beyond a few sessions to fully benefit from the therapeutic process.
9. Do you prescribe medication and is it necessary?
While we do not prescribe medications, we actively collaborate with individuals who are on medication. Our approach includes providing counseling and psychotherapy support to those diagnosed with clinical disorders and prescribed medications though talk therapies. It’s worth noting that some of our clients have experienced significant improvement in functionality through counseling and psychotherapy alone, leading to successful discontinuation of medications in certain cases.
We believe in a holistic and personalized approach, tailoring our therapeutic interventions to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. The goal is to empower clients to enhance their well-being and functionality through the counseling process, and in some instances, this has resulted in a successful transition away from medication dependency. It’s important to approach such decisions collaboratively and under the guidance of both the client and any relevant medical professionals involved in their care.
11. Can I have my sessions online?
Certainly. We understand the importance of flexibility in accessing counseling services, and many of our clients opt for online sessions. If you prefer to conduct your initial consultation online, simply inform us when scheduling the appointment, and we will accommodate your preference. Our aim is to provide a comfortable and accessible platform for our clients, ensuring that their therapeutic journey aligns with their needs and preferences.