FAQs

What is the difference between psychologist and psychiatrist?
Psychiatrist has a medical degree and can prescribe medicines. Whereas, psychologist can't prescribe medicines and use talk therapy more often.
What does a psychologist/psychotherapist/counsellor do?
Even though each one of them have different skillsets, the essential factor is that they all deal with your emotional, psychological and behavioural issues.
How do I find the right psychologist for me?
Check the psychologist's credentials, including both training and experience. Make sure to talk to the psychologist directly before making an appointment. Ask questions about the services that will be provided, so you will not get something different from what you expected. See how comfortable you feel when you are talking with the psychologist.
How is mental illness different from a psychological problem?
The term mental illness is, historically, a medical term implying problems that may require medical treatment. The term mental illness can be used in reference to those psychological behavioural problems such as schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, possibly bi-polar disorder, sometimes severe depression, and occasionally severe personality disturbances.

Psychologists tend to not use the term mental illness to describe psychological problems because there is confusion about what the label really means. Some people have a false impression that psychologists only treat mentally ill individuals, and if you just have a problem with anxiety, an addiction, or "everyday problems" you should see someone else. As a consequence, some people may contact counsellors, with much less training than a licensed psychologist, when they need help to resolve a psychological problem.

Rather than being concerned about the label, ask yourself if you have a problem that you are not able to deal with effectively. A psychologist can help you identify the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are creating problems in your life and can help you resolve these problems.
What should I expect when I see a psychologist?
The initial visit is a period for you and your therapist to get to know each other and get an idea how to proceed. Keep in mind that psychotherapy is a long-term process. You will not get any instant solutions to your problems the first day. Therapy is about equipping you with life-long solutions rather than a quick fix. The psychologist and patient work the best when they work together. You are likely to gain the most benefit from counseling if you are committed to the process and attend regularly. You can discuss with your psychologist the frequency of your appointments and what will work best for your needs.

How will I know if therapy is working?
As you begin therapy, you should establish clear goals with your psychologist. Perhaps you want to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe you would like to control a fear that disrupts your daily life. Keep in mind that certain tasks require more time to accomplish than others.

How long is a session and how often will I see you?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and are often scheduled weekly, especially in the beginning. Most people have been struggling to deal with difficult situations by the time they come to therapy. Weekly sessions will help to keep you accountable and motivated to work towards your goals in an efficient way. As therapy progresses, we can work together to determine if weekly sessions will continue to be useful. Some people will find that as they begin to heal and grow, fewer sessions are needed. The frequency of sessions can be adjusted in order to best meet your needs and maintain positive change.

How long will therapy last?
The length of therapy can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

1. Your Goals for Therapy

Short-term goals (e.g., managing stress, solving a specific problem): May take a few sessions to a few months.

Long-term goals (e.g., healing from trauma, changing deep-rooted behavior patterns): Often requires several months to years.

2. Type of Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy (also known as Person-Centered Therapy, developed by Carl Rogers): doesn’t have a fixed number of sessions—it’s non-directive and tailored to the individual, so the length varies based on the client's needs, goals, and progress.

EMDR for trauma: Varies based on trauma complexity, often 6–12 sessions, but complex PTSD may take longer.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Often structured and time-limited, typically 8–20 sessions.

Psychodynamic Therapy: More open-ended and exploratory; can last several months to years.

Solution-Focused Therapy: Goal-oriented and brief; may last 5–10 sessions.

3. Frequency

Weekly sessions are typical, but some people go biweekly or even monthly after some progress is made.

4. Your Progress and Readiness

Everyone progresses at their own pace. Some may reach their goals quickly, while others may need more time for deeper work or stability.

If you're starting therapy, it's a good idea to discuss the expected timeline with your therapist after a few sessions. They can help you set realistic expectations based on your situation.

What are key factors influencing duration of therapy?

The client’s readiness and willingness to engage
The complexity of the issues
How quickly trust and rapport develop with the therapist
The client’s pace of self-discovery and insight

What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept bank transactions, Gpay, PayPal.

What is your fee?
We will discuss the fee in detail. While the cost of therapy may seem significant to some, it's important to remember that you're investing in what matters most—your well-being or the health of your relationship. Placing that in the hands of a trained, knowledgeable professional is not only a meaningful step but also a worthwhile one.

To put it into perspective, therapy is less expensive in the long run than other medical outcomes (having a heart attack, stomach ulcers, conditions requiring psychotropic medications, etc.) or relationship outcomes (mediation, attorney fees, divorce, etc.).

FAQs

What is the difference between psychologist and psychiatrist?

Psychiatrist has a medical degree and can prescribe medicines. Whereas, psychologist can't prescribe medicines and use talk therapy more often.

What does a psychologist/psychotherapist/counsellor do?

Even though each one of them have different skillsets, the essential factor is that they all deal with your emotional, psychological and behavioural issues.

How do I find the right psychologist for me?

How is mental illness different from a psychological problem?

What should I expect when I see a psychologist?

​

How will I know if therapy is working?

​

How long is a session and how often will I see you?

​

How long will therapy last?

The length of therapy can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

1. Your Goals for Therapy

Short-term goals (e.g., managing stress, solving a specific problem): May take a few sessions to a few months.

Long-term goals (e.g., healing from trauma, changing deep-rooted behavior patterns): Often requires several months to years.

2. Type of Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy (also known as Person-Centered Therapy, developed by Carl Rogers): doesn’t have a fixed number of sessions—it’s non-directive and tailored to the individual, so the length varies based on the client's needs, goals, and progress.

EMDR for trauma: Varies based on trauma complexity, often 6–12 sessions, but complex PTSD may take longer.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Often structured and time-limited, typically 8–20 sessions.

Psychodynamic Therapy: More open-ended and exploratory; can last several months to years.

Solution-Focused Therapy: Goal-oriented and brief; may last 5–10 sessions.

3. Frequency

Weekly sessions are typical, but some people go biweekly or even monthly after some progress is made.

4. Your Progress and Readiness

Everyone progresses at their own pace. Some may reach their goals quickly, while others may need more time for deeper work or stability.

If you're starting therapy, it's a good idea to discuss the expected timeline with your therapist after a few sessions. They can help you set realistic expectations based on your situation.

​

What are key factors influencing duration of therapy?

The client’s readiness and willingness to engage

The complexity of the issues

How quickly trust and rapport develop with the therapist

The client’s pace of self-discovery and insight

​

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept bank transactions, Gpay, PayPal.

​

What is your fee?

To put it into perspective, therapy is less expensive in the long run than other medical outcomes (having a heart attack, stomach ulcers, conditions requiring psychotropic medications, etc.) or relationship outcomes (mediation, attorney fees, divorce, etc.).