FAQ

Coaching is a partnership where the coach works with you in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires you to maximize your personal and professional potential. Coaching offers a broad and rich opportunity to support and aid in your life development. Should you require mental health support, it is advisable to seek counselling first.

The coach works with you on your goal, and aids in your development of solutions and accountability with artful question.

Should you have clear goals and know where you need to be in order to be at your best, coaching is the preferred process for you.

Should you be feeling emotionally or mentally stuck, you first need counselling to clear the blockages before working on improving the various aspects of your life.

Counselling / Psychotherapy helps you gain insight into mental, emotional, or relational struggles. The process resolves inner conflicts and enhances your relationship with yourself and others.

We will work together to:

• Ensure you understand why you are feeling this way.
• Equip you with tools that you can use to start feeling better.
• Reduce the amount of worrying and introspection you are doing.
• Resolve any practical problems that are causing you stress.
• Work on any relationship difficulties you may be having.
• Help you balance your thinking, so you are not plagued by negative thoughts.
• As you feel better, gradually introduce elements to your life that will protect you from becoming stressed, anxious or depressed again.

Counsellors are trained to listen and guide you through a process to help you resolve your issues and problems. We create a safe environment that helps you explore your problems and issues without judgement. Your counsellor can also provide you with tools to help you change your life.

In your first session, I would typically ask certain questions about you and your life. This information helps me make an initial assessment of your situation. Questions asked may include:

• Why you sought counselling / coaching.
• Your personal history and current situation.
• Your current symptoms.

During the sessions, be prepared to:

• Be open.
• Ask questions.
• Be honest about your feelings.

Most individuals seek counselling because they recognize that they need some help in being able to face a certain challenge or they find themselves stuck in a dilemma. You know you need help when you feel unhappy most of the time, you find it challenging getting along with people, and/or you depend on alcohol, drugs, or some other substances to get through the day.

The counselling process is designed to assist individuals who have the capacity to resolve their own problems with some assistance.

Individual counselling

Yes. Individual counselling gives you a private space to speak openly about what is troubling you. I respect your privacy and keep our conversations and counselling records confidential. I do not share this information with your partner, family, employer or others without your consent, unless disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect you or someone else from harm.

I explain these limits at the outset. If disclosure becomes necessary, I will discuss it with you beforehand wherever it is safe and practicable to do so.

Individual sessions within couples counselling

If we meet individually as part of couples counselling, that session remains part of our couples work. You do not need to share every private thought or feeling with your partner. However, I will not agree to hold significant secrets that affect your relationship or our counselling. I will help you prepare to address important information together, taking safety into account.

Where there is abuse, coercive control or fear of a partner, safety takes priority and joint disclosure may be inappropriate or unsafe. If significant information cannot be addressed in our joint work, we will review whether couples counselling can appropriately continue. I explain and agree these arrangements with both partners before individual sessions begin.

I am not a provider for insurance companies, nor do I process insurance claims.

However, I am happy to provide a receipt.

The difference is between someone who jumps on your side or tells you what they think is best, and a professional who has no vested interests and is trained to help you activate your strengths to resolve the challenge you are facing.

When you’ve been confiding in friends or family, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of the negative emotions, or feel ashamed of the difficult time in your life.

A counsellor or coach can help you approach your situation in a new way –teach you knew skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself.

Your privacy is respected in counselling and coaching. The confidentiality arrangements and their safety and legal limits are explained before we begin.

Medication can be effective in some cases. However, all medication comes with their side-effects and adjustment period. It alone cannot resolve the route of your challenges or teach you to build new perspectives or habits that will see you living to the fullest. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.

Depending on the situation, clients can be assigned homework. I give homework for a reason! It can increase the effectiveness of your sessions and can accelerate the counselling / coaching process.

If it is any consolation, I do homework for you too. I write case notes for me to understand what is happening, and it gives me a chance to reflect on the session and identify any areas that need addressing that may not have been so obvious during the session. I also plan for your next session, so we can try to cover as much ground as possible.

I accept cash, bank transfers, paynow, paylah!, and all major credit cards accepted through PayPal. Note that payment is required for appointments made online, at the point of booking.

I’m a Master Solution Focused practitioner, and primarily use SFBT. From time to time, I may use other approaches like CBT and TA to suit your learning style.

I understand that plans change, or unpredictable events may arise. I will be happy to reschedule your appointment. However, if you do not show up for your scheduled appointment and you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session. I will not be able to use your missed hour for anything else.

If you are concerned about your relationship, and you would both like to work with me, I would initially work with both of you together. After this work, if one of you requires individual support, we will discuss during the couple session the best way to move forward that would support a trusting relationship.

Yes, I revise the package rates from time to time. Let us know at the point of booking that you would like a package rate.

Not at all! People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to ask for it. Even the best sports car needs a little tuning up every now and then to have the best performance! In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of your struggles.

I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Besides being fully present, from time to time, I may assign homework to aid in your learning or self-discovery. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.

No problem. I also offer consultations through phone /video conferencing. The cost is the same as an in-person consultation.

We offer sessions as early as 9AM, and the last appointment starts at 8PM on weekdays, and 5PM on weekends.

Typically, I will be able to offer you an appointment within the week. Check out available slots on my Book An Appointment page.

The initial counselling appointment costs $400 and is scheduled for up to 90 minutes. Follow-up appointments cost $250 per one-hour block. Longer follow-ups of 90 minutes or two hours may be booked subject to availability and are charged proportionately.

To cope with raising overheads, we reserve the right to revise our rates from time to time.

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time it takes to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek help/ change. In saying that, generally my clients take 4 to 6 sessions to start feeling better.

The initial counselling appointment is scheduled for up to 90 minutes. This gives us time to understand your concerns and begin working on them. A standard follow-up is scheduled as a one-hour appointment block, with approximately 50 minutes of counselling and the remaining time for clinical notes and administration.

Generally you must show up, be present, open and honest to yourself. However, each person is unique, so I tailor the counselling or coaching according to what you need.

I work best with adults. In a family situation, I may refer your child to other professionals when needed.

I am not a Medical Doctor and will not be able to prescribe any types of medication. However, should you need pharmaceutical help, I will refer you to a psychiatrist.

Each organization is different. It is best to check with your school or HR department. We will provide a PDF receipt with a timestamp, and your full name when requested.

I am a registered private entity and not funded by any social agency. I’m a professional in my field of expertise and independently operate on my professional skills and experience, plus I’ve got business overheads to maintain.

For those who wish to seek my services but have financial difficulties, I’m willing to consider on a case by case basis. I encourage you to drop me an email with your request and circumstances.