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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| How do I know if I need therapy? |
| Clients come to therapy for many reasons and with many different concerns. Therapy can help if you are feeling emotionally distressed or find your ability to cope with day-to-day living is reduced. If you are struggling to find meaning in your life or feel
that you are at a crossroads and don't know how to proceed, you may benefit from therapy. For more comprehensive and indepth information about why you might choose to attend counselling and what benefits may be obtained from counselling, go to this section
About Counselling & Psychotherapy |
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| What can I expect from the therapist? |
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As your therapist I will offer you a safe and comfortable environment in which to meet and talk. Click here to see a picture of the counselling room. We are free to discuss anything that is of concern to you. You can be assured that
I will maintain the highest ethical and legal standards of confidentiality in accordance with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. As a multicultural therapist you can expect my complete and unconditional acceptance, respect and professionalism regardless of
differences of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion etc. My aim is to help clients get the most from their counselling experience and to that end, you will have my wholehearted encouragement and support as you explore, evaluate and work towards your objectives.
As your therapist I will give you all the help that I can. However, I cannot 'fix' you, and there is rarely a 'silver bullet' solution. By attending and participating fully in the therapeutic process you have the power within you to bring about changes in your life.
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| What will the therapist expect of me? |
| You will benefit most from therapy by being as open and honest about your own thoughts and feelings as possible. This may be a challenge at first. However, if you give yourself a little time, you should start to feel at ease and be able to speak more freely.
Your therapist will understand if you are confused about your feelings, thoughts or actions and will help you. If you commit to attending and fully participating in the therapy you should notice things becoming a little clearer, you may see some things from a different perspective
and options may start to present themselves for your consideration. This is quite normal and your therapist will try to help you make sense of what is happening and assist you as you work toward finding the best way for you to move forward in your life. |
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| What happens in the first session? |
| In the first session we have the opportunity to meet face to face where we can discuss your motivations for seeking therapy. You may know what you want to achieve from the therapy. However, it is alright to be unsure at this point. You can decide whether you
would feel comfortable working together. If for whatever reason we decide not to proceed I will be happy to provide an appropriate referral if required. Whether the counselling proceeds or not, many find this a very valuable session. It can provide the space and time for you to
assess your own situation and reflect on where you are in your life right now. Some find greater clarity and new focus after this session. |
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| If I decide to proceed do I need to come every week? |
| Weekly appointments are recommended especially in the initial stages. Though the frequency of appointments is ultimately your choice, I may recommend what I feel is in your best interest. |
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| How many sessions will I need? |
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It is not possible to answer this question with any certainty. While clients are free to decide how many sessions they will attend for, it is generally considered that it takes about six sessions to bring about any significant personal change for a client. However, there are no
hard and fast rules. Regular reviews can help us assess our working relationship and ensures best practice prevails.
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| What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment? |
| I would appreciate that you ring me as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Appointments cancelled within the 24 hours prior to the appointment time will incur the full fee for that session, excepting in special circumstances. |
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| How long do sessions last and how much do you charge? |
| Appointments last for approximately fifty minutes. My standard rate is 50 euro per session. I am sensitive to clients who are experiencing financial hardship that would otherwise prohibit them from receiving counselling. See below. |
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| If a person is in financial difficulties or unemployed can you help? |
| Yes, I make every effort to see any client genuinely wishing to attend counselling. I believe that unemployment or financial hardship should not prohibit anybody from receiving the powerful benefits and support that can be gained from counselling. If this
applies to you, please pick up the phone and ring me. I will be happy to discuss your particular situation with you and try to find a working solution. Counselling is of most benefit when the person is fully commited and genuinely wants to attend. There is no obligation to make an appointment and you will never be put under pressure to do so. |
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