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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What can I expect at the first counselling session?

 

The first session of counselling is really to see if we both get along and can work together.  You will not get the best of counselling if you don’t like the counsellor.  I will explain about counselling, how we will work together and you can ask questions. You will have the chance to explain what brought you to counselling and what you want to gain from it. The remaining time will be spent talking about anything you want; this will be the beginning of counselling.

 

What happens to the other counselling sessions?

 

I like to start each session with a review of the last session. It gives you the opportunity to tell me what feelings you felt afterwards, as it is not uncommon to have some strong emotions arising in the days following a session. It  enables me to adjust the sessions to suit you.  The rest of the session varies, either we discuss something that happened since the last time or we keep going with therapy.  I remain empathetic to your feelings and your life at all times. I make no judgement. I  aim to understand the difficulties you are facing and with your input we resolve them.

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Will I need to talk about my past and childhood, will you analyse me?

 

No, the aim is not to look at the whole of you, to the micro detail of your history and picking at your personality. My counselling style is not psychoanalysis. I’ll focus on your current situation and issues. At times it is useful to look at the past, what you have done that worked well, and what has not.  At other times we may want to notice a link with a past event, or a pattern of behaviour that needs to be understood from its beginning.  But as a start counselling is about resolving an issue you have at present.  

 

I am not used to have others telling me what to do. Is counselling right for me?

 

Counselling is not coaching. I am not telling you what to do. As a team, you and I explore feelings and behaviours that are currently difficult in your life.  We work together in coming up with solutions. We practice some techniques and skills to help you. I may challenge you at times to think and talk about something that could feel painful, but if you are ever uncomfortable you just let me know. You are in control of your counselling sessions. My aim is to make you feel better, not worse, and certainly not to add to your issues. I want to make counselling easy for you.  You will however need to practice some exercises and techniques, it will be important for your recovery but you only do so when you are ready. 

 

How long are the sessions and how many will I need?

 

Counselling sessions last 50mn each and are usually weekly. But you can change that frequency according to your needs. I also offer 30mn sessions if you are pressed with time and we already know each other well. The 30mn sessions can also be used once we have done most of the work together but you need a quick reminder on what you had previously learned, or you are facing a short-term crisis.

Each person is different, so the number of sessions depends entirely on you and the difficulties you are facing. Usually, people come to counselling until they feel they can manage without it.

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Why can't I book the shorter 1/2 hour sessions online?

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The shorter sessions can be done after we have seen each other a few times and we both agree you are ready for a "maintenance" style of counselling.

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How many 50mn sessions do I need before being able to get the shorter sessions?

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It depends on you, if you can practice the tools and techniques on your own, it depends too on your issues, and on your personality. The shorter sessions are more direct and straight forward so not suitable for everyone. However I am always happy for us to try them and if it doesn't work we can revert to the standard 50mn sessions for another couple of times.    

 

I am worried you will know so much about me and my life.

 

I strongly follow a confidentiality contract. I won’t share with anyone what you are telling me unless I feel you are in danger or can endanger someone or if I am subpoenaed by a court of law.   I take very seriously the principle of confidentiality. Your partner, child, doctor, best friend… will never be given any information about your counselling sessions unless you have specifically given your consent in writing. Just a verbal consent will not do. Your records I kept securely and privately; I will share how on our first session.

I never discuss your issues with anyone. I seek regular supervision to ensure I practice ethically, and to help me in my therapy delivery, however your identity is kept hidden, your  name not mentioned.  I use a number system to identify you on my counselling notes. 

I see many different people and issues so it is likely that I have heard similar stories or thoughts before. Also, if not relevant for your current issue I don't ask.  I don't always need to know everything about you and your life.  When I do ask about something I like to explain to you why I feel it can be important, I like to work explaining my train of thoughts to you. I am also well aware of how scary it can be to talk about your inner thoughts and events in your life, I never push you to a place of discomfort.  It is my belief that you should feel overall better not worse when you come and see me.

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I am not sure about having counselling online.

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There are many advantages in working online such as the convenience to meet without planning for the travel to and from a premise, so we don’t need as much free time. It allows me to offer early morning or late evening appointments, that is useful for parents who have limited free time.

 You don’t have to think of parking or paying for public transport. You are surrounded by a familiar and safe environment that can reassure you at times, it can be important when you talk about something difficult to verbalise. For example, I have clients who have their pets next to them. It is soothing to them.

To not have to come to an office space helps you not to view me as an authority figure, you also see me at home, we are on the same level, that help us to build trust.

Because i am not paying for an office space I can  reduce costs in running a practice enabling me to keep my fees affordable.

So online counselling offers many advantages if privacy is respected. The potential privacy compromise is the one disadvantage and it’s a biggie. Privacy is imperative in counselling. To feel free to talk is the most important component of a counselling session. Being in another room may not always mean that others in adjoining rooms don’t hear anything. We discuss this on our first session, we do a test and I offer tips that has worked so far with other clients.

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Can I get Medicare or private health rebates?

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To ensure total privacy from any organisation, I do not use any rebate. Any rebate would mean having to be registered with organisations private or governmental which would oblige me to explain our therapy together, I prefer to not have to tell anyone about you. It does not reduce my accountability to work ethically within the Code of Practice of my counsellor association.

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Is my data secure with EasyCounselling?

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I personally don't like my data being used by so many companies so I am being careful with yours.  You can read my privacy policy and this website data privacy here

I do not keep unnecessary details about you. I do not keep your credit card details, I prefer to trust my clients by sending an invoice after meeting them. 

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