Kōwhai
Therapeutic
Services (KTS)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a counselling session
You can book a counselling session through our online booking service or contact us directly via phone (0273652568) or email at office@kowhaitherapeuticservices.com. If you are booking your first counselling session, please book the initial consultation.
What is the free initial consultation
The therapeutic relationship is a very important aspect of counselling and can determine its success. This 10-20-minute phone conversation is a time for us to understand and learn what brings you to counselling. With this information, we can then identify your needs and connect you to a counsellor who can best support you. Most importantly, it is a time for you to ask any questions you may have about counselling.
How often do people have counselling sessions?
We believe in client self-determination in our sessions; you know what you can commit to and how it fits in with how you feel.
Typically clients initially see a counsellor once a week, moving on to once a fortnight when they feel more in control of the issue that has brought them to counselling. With you finally moving to a monthly check-in to ensure the strategies are still working.
How long will I need counselling for?
There is no one size fits. Our goal is to help you develop strategies to overcome not only the issue that brought you to counselling but to ensure these strategies can support you with future bumps in the road. A short course of CBT can typically last six weeks. Some clients enjoy making time for themselves and can stay with us for a year. You are always in control of the session and know when the time is right to end the process.
I've never had counselling before, what should I expect?
In the first session, your counsellor will spend time understanding what support you need; this session is really about understanding what is going on for you and building a relationship with each other. The counsellor may suggest strategies to support you in between sessions, give you some homework, and discuss what you may cover in the next session.
What do you mean by homework?
It can be quite a surprise to come to counselling and be given homework. During the sessions, your counsellor may discuss your emotions and reactions to situations. It can be hard to remember what happened in a moment that has passed. We may ask you to monitor for a week what triggers you and how you feel physically and emotionally. This will help us develop strategies to support you. Once we have the strategy, we may ask you to try them out to see if they work for you. You can always opt for no homework. It doesn't suit everyone.
What is your cancellation policy
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy. This will allow our counsellors to fill your sessions with clients who are also in need of support.
How is couples counselling different?
When you first sign up for couples counselling, you will be sent identical questionnaires. We ask that you both complete these forms independently and be honest about what is going on in your relationship. These questionnaires are to be emailed back so your counsellor can plan your first session. These forms are confidential; the contents of the forms will not be revealed to your partner at any point in the sessions.
How can I prepare for the first counselling session?
Think about What You Want from your counsellor.
What do you hope to gain from counselling? What aspects of your life would you like to change? Do you require assistance in coping with anxiety or trauma, or do you require assistance in navigating a challenging life situation? When it comes time to discuss these difficulties with the therapist, the more explicit you are about what you want and need, the better off you will be.
If it helps, write everything down. Writing helps many people think more clearly about abstract matters, and the clearer you are in your mind, the easier it will be to communicate with the counsellor.
Examine Your Past before your first counselling session.
Making a list of the specific topics and circumstances you want to discuss is another great strategy to prepare for your first session. This could include any present issues you're dealing with and how they're affecting you, as well as any life events that have contributed to them.
Don't be concerned that certain items are too insignificant to add. It's crucial if it feels meaningful to you! Again, writing everything down can assist you in determining what is most important to you. It's also easy to ensure you don't forget anything important if you bring your notes to your first counselling session.
Make a list of the questions you want to ask for the initial consultation.
Finally, list the questions you'd like to ask. For example, you might want to enquire about our counsellor's education and training, as well as whether or not they've worked with other clients who have issues similar to yours and what types of therapeutic strategies they employ.
Counselling is about you and what you want and need, and a counsellor is there to assist you in achieving your goals. They'll provide you with a lot of direction for how your future sessions should go, but it's ultimately up to you to make sure you communicate your needs.