Each session lasts around 50 minutes. 

American Psychological Association (APA)  has provided two general guidelines that can be helpful when considering whether you or someone you love could benefit from therapy. 

First, is the problem distressing? 

And second, is it interfering with some aspect of life?

When thinking about distress, here are some issues to consider:

• Do you or someone close to you spend some amount of time every week thinking about the problem?

• Is the problem embarrassing, to the point that you want to hide from others?

• Over the past few months, has the problem reduced your quality of life?

When thinking about interference, some other issues may deserve consideration:

• Does the problem take up considerable time (e.g., more than an hour per day)?

• Have you curtailed your work or educational ambitions because of the problem?

• Are you rearranging your lifestyle to accommodate the problem?

A “yes” response to any of these questions suggests that you might wish to consider seeking professional help. Remember that sometimes a problem might be less upsetting to you than it is to the people around you. This does not automatically mean that you are in the know and your friends or family are over-reacting to you. Rather, this situation suggests that you may wish to think about why the people who care about you are upset.

Clearly, the decision to enter into therapy is a very personal one. Numerous advances have been made in the treatment of psychological disorders in the past decade and many therapies have been shown scientifically to be helpful. As you think about whether therapy might be helpful to you, remember that many psychological problems have been shown to be treatable using short-term therapy approaches.

Learning more about different approaches to therapy might also help you to discern if one of them sounds like a good fit with your personality and approach to life. Given the range of therapeutic options that are available, you don't need to continue to struggle with a problem that is upsetting and/or getting in the way of other parts of your life. Help is available.

Yes family, friends, relatives can listen to you, try to understand you and can also give suggestions. In many situations this is all you need.

However, there are times when people are stuck in old patterns. They, like their friends and relatives, know what they need to change but do not have the tools to help understand why we make certain choices and what strategies we can use to move ahead or move forward. 

At such times having objective assessment and therapy from a trained professional can help us better understand our emotions and actions and come up with effective plans to deal with them. 

Everything discussed in our sessions is strictly confidential, creating a safe space for open communication. However, there are a few rare exceptions:

• Imminent harm to yourself or others: If you express intentions of harming yourself or someone else, your therapist may need to take steps to ensure everyone’s safety.

• Suicidal thoughts with specific plans: If you share specific plans for suicide, your therapist may need to seek help to keep you safe.

• Court order requesting information: If a court order compels release of information, your therapist must comply but will notify you beforehand.

Beyond these exceptional situations, your therapy sessions are a wholly confidential space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings without worry.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and with the proper support, recovery is possible. Take the first step towards better mental health by reaching out and prioritizing your well-being.

Yes, I offer both online and in-person sessions to cater to the preferences of clients.

It is important to recognise that addressing your distress, working on your desired goal and achieving them takes time. If you follow the 3 P’s (practice, patience, and persistence), your therapy should be effective.

Over time if the therapy is effective you should observe

• Symptom reduction 

• Improved emotional regulation and stability 

• Rational, realistic thinking 

• Feeling more hopeful  

• Improved relationships and social connections 

• Improved quality of life