Frequently Asked Questions
You might find answers to some of your questions here. If you have a query that's not listed on this page, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.
What can I expect in the first session?
My focus during the first session will be to understand the issues that may have brought you to therapy and begin delving into the experiences that may have contributed to these. You can expect to share your story freely, in a safe, confidential space. I may ask some questions about your family and relationships to understand your unique history. If you have certain expectations and goals in mind, we could explore those too.
We will also go through some formalities and paperwork in the first session. You are strongly encouraged to ask me questions about how I may be able to help you, what my therapy approach is like etc.
Do you prescribe medication?
Psychologists in India are not licensed to prescribe medication. In fact if you are currently functioning well and are fortunate to have a supportive family and social system, you may not need medication at all. Medication has an important role to play in certain psychological conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Current evidence suggests that for other conditions, the role of medication is more limited (APA, 2020). It is widely acknowledged that while medication may reduce the symptoms of psychological distress, it does not help you process difficult experiences or teach you new coping strategies to navigate life.
However, if you would like to explore the option or are experiencing other difficulties that may be helped with medication, I will discuss it with you and help you find a Psychiatrist who may be able to co- treat you. In such a situation, I will co-ordinate your care with the Psychiatrist to ensure that your treatment is comprehensive and well managed.
What is the difference between a Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist & Counselor?
These are all terms to designate mental heath professionals. However, these differences in titles also indicate differences in qualifications and roles.
A Psychiatrist is a doctor who has attended medical school and done a residency in psychiatry. In India, psychiatrists and other medical doctors are the only professionals who can prescribe psychiatric medications.
A Clinical Psychologist is a mental health professional holding an M.Phil degree in Clinical Psychology from an institute recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and regsitered in the Central Rehabilitation Register (every legitimate Clinical Psychologist must have a CRR Number). As per the RCI Act, he/ she can conduct independent psychological evaluation, testing, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, hypnosis, biofeedback and behavioral modification for the purpose of prevention and treatment of the entire breadth of mild to severe psychological conditions. Currently, the qualification of Ph.D Clinical Psychology is not recognized by RCI as a valid one for registration in the CRR as it a research qualification and has little emphasis on clinical practice.
A Counselor generally holds a Certificate or Diploma or M.A degree in counseling or counseling psychology. Most of them focus on mild to moderate common life issues.
As a client, you have the right to ask to be informed about your consultant's educational qualifications and licensing. Practicing in private/ Government/ Non- Government as Clinical Psychologists without RCI registration is an offence under section 13(3) of RCI Act no. 34 of 1992. All countries have independent norms for practicing professionals. Registration/ license from other countries may not be applicable in India.
How does psychotherapy work?
Successful therapy is the result of three factors working together:
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Evidence-based treatment that is appropriate for your problem.
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The psychologist's clinical expertise.
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Your characteristics, values, culture and preferences.
When people begin psychotherapy, they often feel that their distress is never going to end. Psychotherapy helps people understand that they can do something to improve their situation. That leads to changes that enhance healthy behavior, whether it's improving relationships, expressing emotions better, doing better at work or school, or thinking more positively.
While some issues and problems respond best to a particular style of therapy, what remains critical and important is the therapeutic alliance and relationship with your psychologist.
How long should psychotherapy take?
How long psychotherapy takes depends on several factors: the type of problem or disorder, the patient's characteristics and history, the patient's goals, what's going on in the patient's life outside psychotherapy and how fast the patient is able to make progress.
Some people feel relief after only a single session of psychotherapy. Meeting with a psychologist can give a new perspective, help them see situations differently and offer relief from pain. Most people find some benefit after a few sessions, especially if they’re working on a single, well-defined problem and didn’t wait too long before seeking help.
If you've been suffering from extreme anxiety, for example, you might feel better simply because you're taking action — a sign of hope that things will change. Your psychologist might also offer a fresh perspective early in your treatment that gives you a new understanding of your problem. And even if your problem doesn't go away after a few sessions, you may feel confident that you're already making progress and learning new coping skills that will serve you well in the future. Other people and situations take longer — maybe a year or two — to benefit from psychotherapy. They may have experienced serious traumas, have multiple problems or just be unclear about what’s making them unhappy. It's important to stick with psychotherapy long enough to give it a chance to work.
People with serious mental illness or other significant life changes may need ongoing psychotherapy. Regular sessions can provide the support they need to maintain their day-to-day functioning. Others continue psychotherapy even after they solve the problems that brought them there initially. That's because they continue to experience new insights, improved well-being and better functioning.
How do I know when I'm ready to stop?
Psychotherapy isn’t a lifetime commitment.
You and your psychologist will decide together when you are ready to end psychotherapy. One day, you’ll realize you’re no longer going to bed and waking up worrying about the problem that brought you to psychotherapy. Or you will get positive feedback from others. For a child who was having trouble in school, a teacher might report that the child is no longer disruptive and is making progress both academically and socially. Together you and your psychologist will assess whether you’ve achieved the goals you established at the beginning of the process.
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What happens after therapy ends?
You probably visit your physician for periodic check-ups. You can do the same with your psychologist. You might want to meet with your psychologist again a couple of weeks or a month after psychotherapy ends just to report how you’re doing. If all is well, you can wrap things up at that follow-up session.
And don’t think of psychotherapy as having a beginning, middle and end. You can solve one problem, then face a new situation in your life and feel the skills you learned during your last course of treatment need a little tweaking. Just contact your psychologist again. After all, he or she already knows your story.
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Should I worry about confidentiality
Psychologists consider maintaining your privacy extremely important. It is a part of their professional code of ethics. More importantly, it is a condition of their professional license. Psychologists who violate patient confidentiality risk losing their ability to practice psychology in the future.
To make your psychotherapy as effective as possible, you need to be open and honest about your most private thoughts and behaviors. That can be nerve-wracking, but you don't have to worry about your psychologist sharing your secrets with anyone except in the most extreme situations. If you reveal that you plan to hurt yourself or others, for example, your psychologist is duty-bound to report that to authorities for your own protection and the safety of others. Psychologists must also report abuse, exploitation or neglect of children, the elderly or people with disabilities. Your psychologist may also have to provide some information in court cases.
Of course, you can always give your psychologist written permission to share all or part of your discussions with your physician, teachers or anyone else if you desire.
Psychologists take confidentiality so seriously that they may not even acknowledge that they know you if they bump into you at the supermarket or anywhere else. And it’s OK for you to not say hello either. Your psychologist won’t feel bad; he or she will understand that you’re protecting your privacy.