Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of administrative points related to my practice. Understanding these ahead of the meeting/s helps best utilise the consultation time.
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Introductory Consultation
This is the first appointment you book. It is an opportunity to present the issues you would like my help with and to meet me and experience my style of working. You are welcome to ask any questions, including those that would clarify how consultations with me can help you with the issues you have presented.
Appointments – Frequency, bookings, length
Emotional and mental health concerns, and personal or relationship issues at home or workplace, even when seemingly minor, typically require an on-going attention over a period of time. Following the Introductory Consultation, I can offer regular weekly or fortnightly appointments to successfully deal with such concerns or issues. Consultations are held at a pre-arranged specific day and time, each week (or fortnight). This appointment time is available to you on an on-going basis and is not offered to anyone else.
The more regularly you attend to issues the easier the work and the better the results. However, if you wish to meet at an interval greater than one or two weeks, meet sporadically, or need flexibility of appointment times, you are welcome to book each such appointment separately, subject to availability.
In any case, attending the Introductory Consultation does not oblige you to book further appointment/s.
Consultations are 50 minutes long. To fully use the appointment, please arrive on time as I am unable to prolong appointments (due to further commitments).
Appointments - Payments and cost
Payments are expected at the time of the appointment. Cash and Smartphone Internet Banking are accepted.
The cost per appointment is $160.
Appointments – Cancellations, non-attendance
All missed appointments are charged for unless notified at least 24hrs in advance.
Cancellations within 24hrs are charged at 50% fee.
Non-notified non-attendance is charged at full fee.
Appointments - Reminders
No appointment reminders are sent out so, please take care of noting down / remembering your appointment time.
Consultations – Progress reviews and Termination
Consultations are meant as an open-ended arrangement. Please feel free to speak to me at any one time if you would like to review progress or if you are considering or want to terminate consultations. Please give minimum a week’s notice of termination, if possible.
Communication outside the appointment times
Business hours are 9am-6pm Monday to Friday. I may not be able to respond to communication received outside of these hours until the next business day. I respond asap, typically within a few hours of receiving your communication.
Confidentiality
All personal details and any notes taken are confidential, but confidentiality may be breached in case of a perceived high risk to safety of yourself (the client) or others. Notes are stored electronically under double password protection. Please note however the inherent risks associated with electronically held data. Please speak to me if you may be uncomfortable about notes being taken and stored.
Emergency situations
We are not equipped to attend to emergency situations. For scheduling appointments, at least a day's notice is needed.
In case of an immediate concern for your personal safety at any one time please contact an emergency Mental Health provider or the Police. For current details and contact information on the available services, see this webpage: www.mentalhealth.org.nz
For clients with ideation or a history of personal harm (by oneself or other/s, or to other/s), it is a good idea to have these contact details handy. If this applies to you, we can speak in more detail about the options available.
Alternative arrangements
If you might like to propose an alternative arrangement to any of those stipulated above, or would like to discuss/clarify anything, please feel free to speak to me at any time.