FAQs
Here to Assist
What is Counseling?
Counseling is the process of meeting/connecting with a Counselor to resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, relationship issues, and/or somatic responses (sensations in the body).It also includes working with a Counselor to gain better perspectives, see things from a different angle and work towards becoming the best version of you.
Through counseling, you can get help with making decisions, choices or changes that are right for you.
Counseling is a private, confidential process in a non-judgmental environment where it is all about YOU.
What will others think of me if I visit the counselor?
Asking for help is a sign of strength. A Counselor is there to connect with you, assist you in achieving your goals and to give you strategies, tools and techniques to handle situations better.
Visiting a counselor is a way of taking positive action towards building the best version of you. It shows your commitment to yourself. There is nothing to be ashamed of in visiting a counselor.
Confidentiality?
Confidentiality is of paramount importance to the process of Counseling. It is one of the ethical requirements of the Client-Counselor relationship. All the discussions and issues are only kept between the Counselor and the client. There are some circumstances where a counselor may have to break confidentiality, the most common reason being when a client is a threat to himself/herself or others, in which case a counselor must notify the person in danger or notify someone who can keep the client safe.
Do I need to have a serious psychological problem to visit the counselor?
In general you can discuss any everyday issue/hurdle/problem/situation with the counselor. It is absolutely not necessary to have a serious psychological problem to visit a counselor. Counselors are generally not from a medical background and are trained to help you through various talk based therapies. Counselors can however recognize the symptoms of severe mental distress, and may suggest you consider medical help if this is appropriate.
Can I have counseling online or by telephone?
You can choose to get counseled face to face, online via Skype or via the telephone.
Face-to-face - This is when you make an appointment with a counselor to see them in person, usually at their practice.
Telephone counseling - For some, telephone counseling offers a helpful alternative to face-to-face counseling. This involves talking to your counselor over the phone instead of in person. This form of counseling can be particularly useful for those too busy to attend face-to-face sessions, and can be carried out in the comfort of your own home. This format also tends to be more flexible and can potentially reduce waiting list times.
What happens in a counseling session?
Knowing what to expect from a counseling session should help you feel more prepared and less nervous about your first appointment.
In your first session it is likely that your counselor will ask you some questions in order to gain an understanding of what's on your mind.
Some questions your counselor may ask include:
What brings you here? - This is your opportunity to discuss exactly why you are there and what you hope to gain from counseling.
What is happening right now? – This tells the counselor what your current situation is and helps her/him to understand you better. It is also a good way to recount what all is going on thus allowing you to also view the issues slightly objectively.
Are you experiencing any symptoms? - It is important to discuss any symptoms with your counselor- Lack of sleep, Getting angry easily, lack of appetite, Headaches etc
The more honest and open you are when answering these questions the faster you will get results from your counseling session
Do I have to prepare beforehand for a counseling session?
Always remember, the Counseling session is FOR you. If you don’t take an active part in the session, you won’t find the counseling experience valuable. As a general guideline here are a few things you can do to make your sessions fruitful:
1. Be Open- Answer questions honestly and participate in the session
2. Ask Questions- Don’t be afraid to ask your counselor if you didn’t understand something
3. Be Prepared- If you feel you may forget some important things, or not explain your feelings well, you can write them down beforehand and read them out at the session
How will you know if counseling has been successful?
Counseling can result in significant changes in a person’s life. Often there is no “one” sign that therapy has worked. It could be a cumulative effect achieved after sessions where you may find yourself much more stable, in control and in an upbeat frame of mind. Sometimes you may even get feedback from near ones that can signify that positive change has occurred. There are some broad areas in which people experience some positive change that can be taken as a sign that therapy is working:
Mood/or emotion (such as more happiness, less anxiety)
Behaviors (decrease in unwanted habits, or increases in being assertive),
Thoughts (less negative thoughts, more realistic thoughts)
Relationships (getting on with a partner better, less arguments)
Diagnosis (no longer clinically depressed or phobic)
Life satisfaction (feeling like you’re getting more out of life)
Quality of life (better able to work, socialize)
Sometimes greater clarity and understanding of your problems is sufficient.