The counseling sessions are for 45-60 minutes. 

Communication between therapists and people who are under the age of 18 remain confidential. However, caregivers are often involved in the process in some capacity, with consent of the young person. For example, as a caregiver, you will be involved in discussions regarding progress made, areas where your support is required. 

Seeking therapy is a brave act of service towards self, especially when it feels difficult to do so. I would validate the emotions which it brings for them and would encourage them to ask any questions which they have about the therapist, the space itself, and take as much as they would like to come around. 

Yes, I do. In circumstances where you are traveling or video conferencing is not a possibility for you, phone sessions are always a mode we can explore. 

There are a few things which folks have tried in the past and I am sharing my response building on their wisdom. 

• Encourage them to get in touch with the therapist and clarify questions/ doubts/ ambivalent feelings which they may have about the process. 
• Suggest a trial session so they have more visibility of the process. 
• Know that being vulnerable and seeking professional help looks different for everyone. Give them some time and be open to the idea of revisiting it later. 

Yes, therapy is confidential. Therapists are bound by professional ethical guidelines and legal regulations to protect your privacy. This means that what you discuss with your therapist stays private and will not be shared with anyone without your explicit consent.

While confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of therapy, there are specific circumstances where a therapist may be legally or ethically required to break confidentiality, including:

• Risk of Harm to Self or Others
  • If you express an imminent threat to harm yourself (e.g., suicidal ideation) or someone else (e.g., plans to harm another person), your therapist may need to take steps to ensure safety. This might include contacting emergency services, notifying a family member, etc. 
• Abuse or Neglect

• Therapists are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable populations, such as children  or persons with disability , to the appropriate authorities.

• Health Emergencies

• If a medical emergency occurs during a session and you are unable to provide consent, your therapist may share relevant information with emergency responders to ensure appropriate care.

Cancellations happen, we’re all responding to multiple things in life. And cancellations may happen from your end or therapists’ end. It is preferred if we are able to keep each other informed prior. However, in cases of emergency, that is not the expectation. We will together, make an effort, to reschedule it within the same week.

I used a strength-based, collaborative approach which is informed by principles of Narrative Practices and Mindfulness. This implies that when we begin our work together, while holding space, what we choose to work towards will be informed by your lived realities and expertise. I am also going to be aware of the larger context and systems in which your experiences are located. And so the principles are centered around affirmative ways of working. 

You can read more about Narrative Practices (here) and Mindfulness (here).

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a process through which individuals develop skills, mindsets, and knowledge to navigate through emotions, foster relationships, and how to make responsible decisions. It’s a framework that emphasizes development of 5 core competencies as defined by CASEL. (read more about the framework here).  

You can read more about Narrative Practices (here) and Mindfulness (here).