Here Are Some Of Our Frequently Asked Questions...
Can I receive counselling/coaching over the phone?
The Counselling Place is not a hotline so you will not be able to receive counselling/coaching over the phone. Our Psychologist, Counsellors, Life Coaches, and Therapists generally will need to work with you face to face in person. Virtual/online (Skype) counselling session is possible with therapists who do Skype sessions. Arrangement needs to be made to pre-book and pre-pay for the virtual/online (Skype) counselling session.
Do I have to make an appointment or can I just walk in?
We work by appointment ONLY. Since all our Psychologists, Counsellors, Life Coaches, and Therapists work different clinical hours and would usually already have other appointments scheduled, we need you to make an appointment to ensure that your Psychologist, Counsellor, Life Coach, or Therapist is available. We regret we will not be able to serve you if you do not have a pre-booked appointment.
How do I go about making an appointment?
Please book in directly from our online booking system with your chosen therapist using the "Book Now" button next to each therapist's bio. You will not be able to speak to our Psychologists, Counsellors, and Therapists personally as they would either not be in the office or be having a therapy session. Also, our therapists are not available outside a PAID booked session. It is best for you to direct any question to our admin staff.
How soon will I be able to get an appointment?
This is dependent on the time of the year/ week/ day you are wanting to come. If you are not selective about the time nor the Psychologist, Counsellors, Life Coaches, or Therapists, you would usually be able to see someone the same day or the next working day. However, if you can only come at a certain time, or would like see a specific therapist, your first appointment may only be available a few days or a week later. You can check our therapists' availability from the online booking system.
How do I go about choosing a therapist?
What you would need to consider is whether the issue you are seeking help for is a fit with the Psychologist, Counsellor, Life Coach's or Therapist's area of speciality. Also, you would want to be able to come during most of the therapist's clinical hours since you might not be able to get the exact time you want. All our Psychologists, Counsellors, Life Coaches, and Therapists have experience working with various nationalities, there should be no issue regarding culture. Our admin staff will be able to assist you with the selection of a suitable Psychologist, Counsellor, Life Coach, or Therapist.
I would like to speak to the Counsellor, Psychologist, Life Coach or Therapist on the phone prior to making an appointment to check her/ him out.
Our Counsellors, Psychologists, or Therapists are not available to speak on the phone. Our administrative staff is more than happy to answer any question you may have about the background of our Counsellors, Psychologists, Life Coaches, or Therapists in order to assist you in making a decision about counselling. One of the goals of the first session is for clients to experience therapy with chosen Counsellor, Psychologist, Life Coach, or Therapist in order to see how they work together and whether that is a fit.
Is everything I share confidential?
Yes, everything in the counselling session is confidential. However, our Psychologists, Counsellors, Life Coaches, and Therapists will have to comply with professional guidelines set by their respective professional bodies and work within the boundaries of these. You will be informed about these guidelines from the start and these are non-negotiable. Please see our Confidential Policy in the Fees & Policy section on our website for more details.
How many session will I need?
Counselling is a process whereby through conversation, questioning by your Psychologist, Counsellor, Life Coach, or Therapist, you will be able to come to a decision or solution for your situation. As each person's situation is unique, it is not possible to give a blanket statement about the number of session. Usually the first session is time for the Psychologist, Counsellor, Life Coach, or Therapist to get to know you, your situation, and your goals. By the end of the first session, your Psychologist, Counsellor, Life Coach, or Therapist will be better able to give you a treatment plan and estimation of the number of sessions. It is unlikely for it to be a once off treatment.
Will my therapist give me advise or tell me what to do?
Psychologist, Counsellors, Life Coaches, and Therapists are professionally and ethically not allowed to give advise or make decision for clients. The role of a Psychologist, Counsellors, Life Coaches, and Therapists are to ask questions in order to help clients to have new perspectives and insights in order to come to a different place or solution for your situation.
I'm not really "the client", I'm just seeking help for my family member/ friend/ colleague. Why do I have to pay when I'm providing information to "help" the therapist?
You are paying the therapist for her/ his time spent on this case. Although you may feel you are "helping" the therapist, in reality the therapist is at the same time providing support for you to help you deal with your family member's/ friend's/ colleague's issue(s). Therefore, you are, in fact, also "the client".
I know my ex-/ friend/ colleague is coming to you. I would like my appointment to be schedule so that I don't meet him/ her.
While every effort is made to be sensitive to various clients' situations, we are unable to promise to schedule your appointment around someone else's time or divulge another person's appointment time. We need to protect every clients' confidentiality, not just yours. This action by any of our staff will constitute a breach of confidentiality, which would result in disciplinary actions by our respective professional bodies (i.e., losing license to practice) as well as immediate termination of employment by this office.
