Question 1

How long is each therapy/counselling session?

Accepted Answer

Adult Counseling sessions are usually 50 minutes. Individual sessions (Children & Minors) usually go for 80 minutes, which include an interview with either or both parents/guardians.

Couples & Family Therapy usually go for 80 minutes.

Question 2

What are your fees and how can I pay?

Accepted Answer

What are your therapy rates?Individual therapy sessions range from $180 to $240 per 50-minute session, depending on the practitioner’s expertise.Couples and family therapy sessions are $380 for 80 minutes, with rates varying based on the practitioner’s seniority and expertise.Do I need to pay a deposit?
 Yes. A 50% deposit is required to secure your appointment. If the deposit is not received by the stated cut-off time, the slot may be released to another client.Are there additional charges?Time extensions are chargeable, subject to therapist availability.Weekend sessions include an additional $30 fee.Memos and reports are chargeable at $50 and $100 respectively.When and how do I make payment?
 Full payment is to be made immediately after in-person sessions via bank transfer or UEN (details will be provided).

Question 3

What if I need to cancel or reschedule my session?

Accepted Answer

We understand that unexpected things happen. As each appointment time is reserved specifically for you, we kindly ask for as much notice as possible if you need to make a change.
For new clientsA 50% deposit is required to secure your first appointment.Rescheduling with more than 24 hours’ notice: No charge applies, and your deposit will be transferred to your new appointment.
Rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice: Your 50% deposit is non-refundable.
Change of mind: If you decide not to proceed and provide more than 24 hours’ notice, your deposit will be refunded, less a $10 administrative refund processing fee.
Illness: Late rescheduling fees may be waived with a valid Medical Certificate (MC). If a refund is requested, the $10 administrative refund processing fee still applies.
For existing clientsMore than 24 hours’ notice: No charge applies for cancellations or rescheduling.
Less than 24 hours’ notice: A 50% session fee applies.
Within 1 hour or non-attendance: A 100% session fee applies.
Illness: Cancellation or rescheduling fees may be waived with a valid Medical Certificate (MC).
If attending in person becomes difficult, you may switch your scheduled appointment to an online session at no additional cost. The original appointment date and time will remain the same.We understand that exceptional circumstances may arise and will consider these on a case-by-case basis.This policy helps us honour the time reserved for you while keeping appointment times available to others who may need support.

Question 4

Are my sessions confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

All information you share with your therapist is private and confidential. As a general rule, all communications between you and your practitioner (members of PACFA, SAC, SPS, BPS) is private and can only be disclosed with your consent, to comply with law or to report a serious threat to others. We ask for information relevant to understanding your needs and in ensuring effective support. If you ever need a memo or report, we can provide one for a small fee.

Question 5

How can I prepare for my first session?

Accepted Answer

It may be helpful for you to think about your reasons for accessing therapy and what you would like to achieve out of therapy.

Question 6

What can I expect in the first session?

Accepted Answer

Your first session is about exploring your needs and starting to develop a sense of comfort. Therapy is an ongoing journey that unfolds over time, so please know there’s no rush. We’ll use this time to set a foundation for your growth. Your initial session will involve evaluating your needs, provide initial impressions of our work together and in outlining a treatment plan.

Question 7

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is an ongoing process. It is not a quick fix or cure. Generally 3 sessions is a good number to start with but everyone is different. Complex and layered issues may require more sessions to work through but there is no one size fits all. Therapy is about you and your pace, so speak to your practitioner about what works for you.

Question 8

Is therapy only for people who have experienced trauma?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not.

Therapy can be for everyone at any stage of our life, and for anyone who wants to understand themselves better. If you’re experiencing challenges, emotions or patterns that impact your daily life, therapy can provide space for healing and personal growth.

Question 9

What is the difference between a counsellor and psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Counsellors and psychologists share many similar approaches in theories and therapeutic methods. The main distinction lies in psychology’s emphasis on diagnosis, while counsellors focus on addressing the personal impact of challenges in someone’s life, which may stem from a variety of causes including trauma. Counsellors do not diagnose but frequently work with individuals who have diagnoses or are experiencing symptoms and behaviors associated with recognised psychological conditions. Their work spans a broad spectrum of mental health issues and emotions, without being confined to any particular condition.

Question 10

What qualifications do your practitioners have?

Accepted Answer

All of our practitioners are university-trained and hold at least an accredited Master’s degree in Counselling, Psychology, or a relevant qualification in learning and behavioural needs. Many of our senior practitioners also have over 10 years of clinical experience working with clients.From time to time, we may also have junior therapists who are working towards their professional accreditation, as well as students completing supervised clinical placements. They work within their level of training and experience and receive appropriate clinical supervision.While junior therapists and students offer sessions at a reduced rate, they may not be able to take on clients whose needs require a more experienced or specialised level of care. This applies even where a client would prefer to work with them because of the reduced fee.Where we feel that another practitioner or service would be more appropriate for your needs, we will discuss this with you and, where possible, provide alternative options.

Question 11

How can I contact my therapist between sessions?

Accepted Answer

Your well-being is always important to us.

Clinical matters, including feedback or concerns about therapy, should be discussed during scheduled sessions. This ensures they can be addressed properly and safely.

Phone calls are for urgent risk-management purposes only and are limited to 10 minutes. Calls that exceed this duration will be charged at the standard session rate.

If you need to discuss a clinical issue, please book a session. For urgent concerns, you may call us and we aim to return calls within 24 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays). If we are unavailable and the situation is urgent, please contact SOS (1-767) or go to the nearest emergency department.

For administrative matters (such as appointments or billing), you may contact us by email or text message. Please note that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed for electronic communication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)