Starting counselling
Starting therapy can feel daunting. There is absolutely no pressure to know where to start, to explain everything perfectly or have the right words. I'll be guiding the session with relevant questions and my aim is to make sessions feel like conversations - not interventions. Remember that the main topic we will be discussing is YOU – and you know that topic better than anyone else.
My main focuses during the first session are:
- Creating a sense of safety. Effective therapy cannot happen without safety, rapport and trust.
- Getting to know you. I’ll ask about your current life, the characters in your story and a little bit of your history. When it comes to sharing parts of your life, you choose what to disclose.
- Getting to know the problem. People generally come to therapy with a problem they are finding hard to manage. I may ask questions about the problem, its impacts on your life, its the history, what makes it better or worse and ways you have tried to manage this problem in the past.
- Set a therapy focus. I want the subsequent sessions to be helpful to you. In the first session we generally set a focus - an area to work on. This is especially important when there are multiple issues and we need to prioritize how to use our time.
"Poipoia the kakāno kia puāwai" Nurture the seed and it will blossom
Important information
Appointments and fees
- Sessions are usually 50–60 minutes and take place at the agreed time. If you arrive late, the session will still need to finish on time so other clients aren’t impacted.
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The fee for your counselling sessions is NZ$140. If you have been referred by your GP cost of your counselling sessions is covered by your Primary Health Provider.
- If you’re unable to attend, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. If a session is missed without notice or with less than 24 hours’ notice, a $50 fee applies or, for GP referrals, a session will be deducted from your total number of free sessions.
Email and text communication
- I take reasonable steps to maintain the security and confidentiality of email and text communication.
- If you need support outside of session times, I’m open to arranging an extra appointment if my schedule allows. You’re also welcome to phone me during business hours, though I may not always be able to answer or talk for long.
- Email and text are not suitable for urgent or emergency situations.
Confidentiality
Your privacy is important. Everything we discuss in sessions is confidential, with a few exceptions:
- Professional supervision: As a registered NZAC counsellor, I attend regular professional supervision. Occasionally this involves discussing my work with clients in a non-identifying way. My supervisor is also bound by the NZAC Code of Ethics.
- Risk of harm: If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, I may need to involve other services to ensure safety. Wherever possible, I would discuss this with you first.
Additional support/ helpful numbers
- 1737 (trained counsellors 24/7, free service)
- Lifeline (0800 543354) (trained counsellors 24/7, free service)
If you are feeling at imminent risk of harm please do not hesitate to call:
- Mental Health Crisis team 0800 800 717 (24/7, free service) or 111
Helpful online resources:
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourselfget
https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/problems/