Question 1

What is counselling and psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Both counselling and psychotherapy are processes of addressing mental health concerns. The client and therapist, through conversations and practice, work together to help the client achieve their goals and live a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. Counselling is usually short-term and focused on a particular situational issue, practical decision making or a specific behaviour (eg: career counselling, pre-marital counselling, handling a change such as a new job/promotion, adjusting to a new city of residence, etc.) Psychotherapy maybe long or short-term and delves deeper into emotions, thoughts and behavioural patterns to understand the client’s personal domain, beliefs, values and ways of relating to their environment. In practice, your therapist will most likely employ both counselling and psychotherapy techniques and practices during your therapy sessions.

Question 2

What issues are addressed in counselling and psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

These include (but are not limited to) anxiety, depression, unhealthy anger/irritability, coping with stress, coping with the loss of a loved one, fears/insecurities, relationship difficulties, dealing with a break up/divorce, dealing with a chronic physical illness, social withdrawal, work/career issues, unhealthy habits/patterns, lack of confidence, work-life balance, improving self-awareness, adjusting to change and personal growth. Get in touch with us for a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy in detail.

Question 3

How do I know I need counselling and psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

If you are feeling disturbed/unsettled and want to get better, please reach out. If you notice any unhealthy or undesirable changes in your feelings, thoughts or behaviour then it is advisable that you seek therapy. Essentially, if you are dissatisfied/overwhelmed with any aspect of your life or if you are unable to cope with a situation or if things feel like they are too much to handle, therapy is an option you should explore. Also, if you wish to improve upon an area of your daily functioning, therapy can be helpful. 
Please don’t wait for things to get worse. Reaching out sooner rather than waiting for “this phase to pass” is in your best interest. Your mental health deserves your attention and care.
Notice these signs: changes in appetite/sleep, getting irritated/angry easily, experienced a loss (personal or professional), feeling persistently sad/helpless, inability to carry out daily tasks, using drugs/alcohol to cope with stress/difficulties, loss of interest in activities you enjoyed earlier, physical health has gotten worse, received a diagnosis for a chronic physical illness, etc.

Question 4

What is the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists?

Accepted Answer

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose a mental illness and prescribe medicines. Psychologists are experts/specialists in the field of psychology. Psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medicines. It is important to note that clinical psychologists can provide a medical diagnosis for mental illnesses. A counselling psychologist cannot provide a medical diagnosis for mental illnesses, they provide counselling and psychotherapy.

Question 5

How does this work?

Accepted Answer

Step 1:Register for a FREE consultation (undefined)and we'll get back within a day to schedule it.
Step 2: Have a 20-minute audio or video call with the therapist as scheduled. The aim is to understand your requirement and answer any questions you may have. The therapist will take 5 minutes of this time to explain the approach and methods used in counselling and psychotherapy at EverMind.
Step 3: After the free consultation, if you think online therapy is right for you, let's get started with the first session.

Question 6

Are the details I share during therapy sessions kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Counselling and psychotherapy is most effective when you can be frank with your therapist and discuss your requirements without fear of judgement or disclosure. Confidentiality is an ethical as well as legal requirement for conducting therapy. Additionally, your therapist understands that developing trust is extremely important and that you are taking a brave step by reaching out and sharing. You can be sure that whatever you disclose to your therapist in your therapy session will not be shared with anyone without your consent. There are some legally mandated exceptions to confidentiality that are made clear in the consent-to-therapy form (an agreement document that you are required to review and sign before your first session).

Question 7

What will happen during my therapy session?

Accepted Answer

A therapy session is a collaborative exercise aimed at problem solving and/or managing difficult situations in your life. It requires your active participation. To begin, you explain your situation and requirements to the therapist who will listen carefully without judgement. There is open communication and both you and the therapist are free to ask questions to gain clarity. The therapist may invite you to introspect, talk about your feelings / thoughts / behaviour, take notes and/or engage in activities to help you move closer to your goals of therapy. Before discussing any topic or doing any activity, your therapist will explain the theory of and reason behind the chosen approach; this helps you understand the “why am I doing this” aspect. At the end of the session, you and the therapist will find the best ways for you to apply learnings from the session in your daily life.

Question 8

How long is a session? How frequently do I need sessions?

Accepted Answer

Each session lasts 55-60 minutes. Usually, sessions are scheduled once every week or two weeks. This gives you the time you need to put into practice the learnings from your session. The frequency can vary depending on the goals of therapy as collaboratively decided by you and your therapist.

Question 9

How many sessions do I need? For how long will I need therapy?

Accepted Answer

There isn’t one answer to this question that fits all. It depends on your requirements and goals. The ideal approach here would be to undertake an actual session. During this first session, your therapist will be able to answer your questions with the specific understanding of your issues and your reasons for seeking therapy. However, if you are seeking help only for one specific issue, just one single session may be enough to problem solve.

Question 10

Will I feel better with counselling and psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

The aim of counselling and psychotherapy is to help you “get better” for the long run, not just feel better temporarily. Issues are addressed in the present to help ease current disturbances and provide some immediate relief along with working on a plan for handling future situations. The process of therapy requires your active participation — you talk about issues that you find unsettling and process your disturbing thoughts and feelings. This maybe difficult at first but you have your therapist’s support and it’s worth the effort to gain clarity and insight into your own functioning. You then put these learnings into practice in your life to help you get better.

Question 11

Will I have to take medicines?

Accepted Answer

If you are already taking medication, please ensure that you carefully follow the directions of your doctor(s)/psychiatrist and take your medicines as prescribed by them. Your psychologist at EverMind will never prescribe any medication or diagnose a mental disorder or clinical condition. For a clinical diagnosis you are required to consult a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. Counselling and psychotherapy is not a substitute for psychiatric treatment and/or medication.

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