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Frequently Asked Questions - Clients
If you are considering counselling, then chances are that you want something to be different. It could be that you are feeling weighed down or don’t know what to do about a situation. You may want to change your response to a situation or you might want to make sense of what is happening to you or a loved one.
What happens in counselling?
Counsellors help you to tell your story and develop some responses that will work for you. They encourage you to find answers of your own.
You will get a non-judgmental, understanding, caring and supportive professional who will give you undivided attention for the hour that you are with them.
What kinds of problems can counselling help deal with?
Individuals, couples, children and families come to counsellor with a wide variety of issues.
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Abuse
- Depression
- Relationships
- Parenting issues
- Teenage transitions
- Behavioural Issues
- Repartnering
- Sexuality
- Communication
- Intimacy
- Adjusting to new situations
- And much more.
How do I know when I should see a counsellor?
• Changes in yourself. You may become more irritable, feel you are not coping , become constantly angry, sullen, withdrawn, sad, weepy or go into spells of silence for long times. There may be other changes so that you feel not yourself any more.
• When circumstance of behaviour towards you becomes unacceptable or intolerable.
• When you feel unable to manage your relationships of function effectively
• When you feel you are not coping with a change or trauma in your life.
What about confidentiality?
Counselling is a confidential process. What is said in the room stays in the room unless you agree otherwise.
The Counsellor may consult with supervisors to improve their skills to provide the highest quality of service to you but this is done without revealing your identity.
Except in a situation where you are a danger to yourself or others or where counsellors or agencies have a legal obligation to inform appropriate authorities, your information is strictly confidential.
How long will it take?
A session is about 50 – 60 minutes for an individual. Family sessions may last longer.
Usually sessions are held at weekly intervals initially, possibly moving to fortnightly depending on what suits the individual.
Many people resolve issues within six –eight sessions. For others, long-standing or historical issues can take several months to come to resolution.
What does counselling cost and what can I expect to pay?
The full cost of an hour’s counselling session is around $110.
Please vist our page Cost and Duration to know more.
Couples seeking help for relationship problems can access free counselling by seeking a referral to a counselling agency through the Family Court. They can approach Family Court coordinators themselves or obtain a referral from the Family Court through their lawyer.
Children experiencing difficult parental separations may at times receive an order for counselling issued by a Family Court judge. This would then also be funded by the Family Court. You would need to consult your lawyer to have this happen.
Beneficiaries or people on low incomes can access a Disability Allowance through WINZ (Work and Income NZ) to fund counselling. Approach your local WINZ office.
If I think someone I know could benefit from counselling, what can I do?
• Talk to them about people you know who counselling has helped
• Tell them about where they could go to.
• If they are hesitant or unsure, ask them what bothers them about talking to a counsellor. Let them know that ‘It’s better to talk’ to a professional counsellor.
Do check our website for stories of people who have been helped through counselling and encourage the person to read them.