Counselling FAQ

FIND THE RIGHT THERAPIST

Do I need to prepare anything for counselling/therapy?

If you are using any medication for mental health, let me know what you are taking. Besides that, you will need to fill out the paperwork before our first session.

How often do I need to come to therapy?

The frequency of therapy meetings depends upon your needs and goals. Together we will develop a plan for you to reach your goals. Usually this means one 50-minute session a week in the beginning and will adjust later based on your need. In more critical cases we may initially meet more frequently, and later meet less frequently.

How long do I need to stay in therapy?

The length of treatment depends on the clients’ situation and goals. Normally it takes 4-6 weeks for clients to feel progress. The long-term change (personal transformation) might take a few months to years. Nevertheless, when clients are really ready (both consciously and unconsciously) to deal with their difficulties and are able to open themselves to the therapist and the healing process, the treatment will be a lot shorter than typical cases. In some cases, clients stay in therapy to continue their self-growth.

Is there a conflict between using Integral psychotherapy and more traditional techniques like cognitive behaviour therapy that everyone seems to recommend?

The art and science of psychotherapy has changed drastically over the past few decades. At one time,  Psychoanalysis was overshadowed by Behaviourism, and then Behaviourism was overshadowed by the advances of cognitive therapies. Today cognitive therapy and our search for spiritual ground have come together. Even the most respected theorists and clinicians in the field, Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, now realize the importance of addressing not just the immediate and critical problems we often come to a therapist for, but moving forward from the moment of crisis to a place where we can look forward to continued growth, understanding and development as spiritual beings. There are many recent books, articles and workshops on the  combination of these two once separate ways of approaching  mental and spiritual health. In addition, California Institute of Integral Studies,  Institute of Transpersonal Psychology,John F. Kennedy University, and Naropa University offer Master  and PhD degrees for Studies that relate to Integral and Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Consciousness of Transformation.

What can I expect of you as my therapist?

As an integral psychotherapist, I see myself as a companion on the client’s therapeutic journey. Often a crisis in life precipitates the desire to begin such a journey. Sometimes a journey like this starts simply because of unhappiness and general dissatisfaction with  life, relationships, or work. As your therapist I will help make sure that you have the time and skills to start this journey when you are ready.

Integral psychotherapists believe that everyone has a wiser, deeper self that knows what is required to unfold and develop. It is our task to shine the light of awareness and listen to what this deeper self wishes to manifest. To facilitate such awareness, a safe space needs to be created through the therapeutic relationship – and by using creativity and imagination the ‘essential self’ can be heard.

We might do this work through talking, writing, guided breathing or visualization. Through these techniques a new, truer self emerges.