Frequently asked questions

There is a great variety to each client’s needs and presenting issues, so therapy takes different times for different people. The number of sessions can range from a single session with some clients, to tackling a problem that has a long history over a period of time. For therapy to be effective you must be active in the process – taking responsibility for your actions, a willingness to work towards self-change, greater awareness and insights.  Ultimately the length of time you commit to is up to you.

Sessions may begin weekly or fortnightly with greater spacing as things improve. The focus is on experimenting with new ideas in between sessions so that the work of counselling goes beyond the therapy session.

The therapy session is usually 60 minutes. However, for the first session I usually allow 90 minutes.  Couple sessions are usually 90 minutes.

This question is often asked and it is a difficult question to answer. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long standing psychological issues, or specific issues of anxiety or depression, other times it is in response to an unexpected change in ones life such as illness, birth of a child, work or other relationship transitions. What is most important in the therapy process is that you are clear about your goal – what do you want to be different in your life? When you are clear it is easier to measure progress towards your goal. Therapy works best when you as the client are focused on changing self through understanding your contribution to the problem, rather than being distracted by waiting for others to change or for circumstances to change.

There are many benefits from therapy but mostly greater self awareness is gained by taking responsibility and working towards change in your life.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• the information is subpoenaed by a court; or
• failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious or imminent risk;
• your prior approval has been obtained to provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g. a GP or a lawyer; clients on the GP Mental Health Care Plan please be aware that a short report (written in consultation with you) will be sent to your GP after 6 sessions and a further report after 4 sessions or
• your prior approval has been obtained to discuss the information with another person, e.g. a parent or employer; or
• If disclosure of the information is otherwise required or authorised by law.