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HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL IT TAKE?
It depends on a number of factors including the complexity of the issue.
Let’s start with one session and make sure you feel comfortable with your therapist.
Then we can make a plan.
Some people only need one or two sessions and others require ongoing support. Checking progress is part of our process so we’ll talk about whether you’ve achieved what you needed or if there’s more you’d like to cover.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
You may be able to access funding through one of our many contracts – talk to us! And if you are not eligible for funding, we have Genoapay to help spread the cost.
For more information on our fees, and available funding click here.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A SESSION?
We will talk about what you want to achieve, your view of the problem and how it’s affecting you, possible solutions or options and identify useful strengths and resources.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT THERAPIST?
We can figure that out together when you phone or email. Check out the profiles of our therapists online. Recommendations from others can be helpful too. If we are not able to help you, we will be able to suggest other therapists.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED COUNSELLING?
See a counsellor if an issue is interrupting your life or relationships or is affecting your sleeping, eating or usual activities. Also, if you or your family or friends have noticed that your mood has changed in some way.
WHAT SORTS OF ISSUES DO TEENAGERS GET HELP FOR?
Teenagers often come to counselling for help with anger, depression, anxiety or worries, bullying, self-harm, school issues, porn, coping with relationships or break ups, grief and loss, goal setting and decision-making.
HOW CAN MEN BENEFIT FROM COUNSELLING?
Men often seek help regarding relationships – recovering from break-ups, communicating more effectively with partners, children and others, also work stress, depression, anger, anxiety and parenting issues.
WHAT DO WOMEN COME TO COUNSELLING FOR?
Women come to counselling for help with life and relationship changes – partners, children, work, also depression, anxiety, grief, anger, recovery from abuse or rebuilding confidence and strength.
WHY DO FAMILIES COME TO COUNSELLING?
Families might want help with appropriate family rules and expectations, fair discipline and consequences, dealing with anger, adjusting to teenagers, managing tricky or strong-willed kids, developing a healthy blended family or better communication.
WHERE ARE MY CLIENT NOTES KEPT?
Any session notes made by the counsellor are kept locked away. You are entitled to see your notes which are records of what was said during a session.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY?
Yes, if the Counsellor you are working with, has reason to believe you or another person is at serious imminent risk (life threatening situations or care and protection for minors), outside intervention may be sought – with or without consulting you first in line with our Code of Ethics.
Audits are carried out periodically by funding agencies to check that the work they pay us for is being carried out (in terms of appointments being kept and records maintained) – no session notes are reviewed in this process.
HOW DO THERAPISTS MAINTAIN FITNESS TO PRACTICE?
All our therapists undertake professional supervision to maintain fitness to practice in accordance with their relevant regulatory body such as New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) Supervision provides a process of managing our caseloads safely, learning new techniques, working through vicarious trauma and generally supporting the work we do.
HOW LONG IS A COUNSELLING SESSION?
A full session is usually 50 minutes. Some clients come in for 25 minute sessions if they are in a maintenance phase of therapy. Couple sessions usually take a bit longer. If an interpreter is present, sessions may also run a little longer.
CAN I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW, AND SORT THE PAYMENT LATER?
Unfortunately, no. In order to book a session we either need
the GP referral through the PHO
our Youth Referral form completed (13 – 19 year old)
a quick phone chat with you to determine your ACC eligibility
a booking fee of $70 paid into bank account 01-0450-0460776-00
Talk to us – we are quickly able to identify funding you may be eligible for. And remember, we have Genoapay too.
I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AND NO CHILDCARE. CAN I BRING THEM TO MY SESSION?
Ideally, children are not present in counselling sessions with you. However, if that is the only way you can come to counselling then please still come! It is more important to offer you some limited input and support, than nothing at all – we will need to workout the boundaries of what we can talk about in the presence of the children.
