Psychotherapy/Counselling is often referred to as ‘talk-therapy’ where a client consults a mental health professional, such as a psychotherapist or counsellor, on various issues involving emotional, thoughts and/or behavioural difficulties. It can be one-to-one, group or couple meetings.
The aim of psychotherapy/counselling is to provide a safe and comfortable space for the client to express their thoughts and emotions, to facilitate clients to gain new insights into their difficulties, develop better coping skills and to improve the client’s overall functioning.
In this segment, the term counselling is used to refer to both psychotherapy/counselling.
Who
can receive Counselling?
Counselling is for anyone who is going through a period of sadness, worry or stress. People can also seek counselling to work on changing harmful behaviours and thoughts or to gain better awareness of themselves. Common problems where people seek counselling are (but not limited to) mood and emotional problems, anxiety and worries, grief, relationship issues, work related stress, addiction and other behavioural problems, decision making or adjustment issues, etc.
Anyone below 18 years old is required to obtain consent from their primary caregivers before the initiation of counselling.
How
long does counselling usually lasts?
Each counselling session takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. On average, the counselling process would take about 6 to 12 sessions; however, it could be longer depending on the nature of the client’s problem, their need and resources.
What
happen during the first session?
In the first session, the counsellor would work to establish an initial impression of the client and his/her problems. The client would be asked to share about their difficulties and personal background information. In cases of clients below 18 years old, caregivers would usually be approached to share relevant information related to the client’s problem. The client or caregivers may also be asked to discuss their goals in counselling as well as the tentative treatment plan. Counselling goals and treatment plan may be modified or refined as the therapeutic process develops.
Will
I feel better after my first appointment?
In most cases, client may feel sense of relief after talking to the counsellor during the first session but in some, they may feel a sense of discomfort as they have to relive their problems while speaking to the counsellor. Clients are advised to speak to their counsellor if they have this concern.
What
about privacy and confidentiality?
The counsellor take responsibilities in ensuring all clients’ information are held as private and confidential. Information related to the client will only be released to any third party with the client’s consent. However, confidential may be breached if the counsellor in-charge of the case has reason to suspect that the client may be at risk of harming themselves or others (i.e. suicidal/homicidal disclosure, child or elderly abuse) or if ordered/subpoenaed by the court to do so.
Psychological Assessment
What is a psychological assessment/
testing?
Psychological assessment, interchangeably termed as psychological testing, is usually conducted by a psychologist to gather information of an individual’s behaviors, abilities and overall functioning. The focus and structure of an assessment may vary depending on the purpose for assessment. In general, an assessment may utilize clinical interviews, observations and formal testing to gather information of an individual.
Why do I need a psychological
assessment/ testing?
There are various reasons as to why an individual would require a psychological assessment. The psychological tests provide a measure of characteristics and abilities, which includes aptitude and intelligence. It looks into clarifying a diagnosis, re-assessment from previous testing as well as identifying underlying factors that maybe impacting an individual’s relationship or functioning. Information gathered from the assessment would help form a complete picture of an individual. Hence, providing important information to redefine the problem or as a basis for recommendations of treatment and future interventions.
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What to expect in a psychological
assessment/ testing?
An initial consultation would take place to discuss client or caregiver’s concern and to gather pertinent information (i.e., developmental, family, education, medical history and etc.). Based on the information gathered, the psychologist would determine the best course of action, and whether the client would require a formal psychological assessment.
Assessments are usually conducted in a quiet and conducive setting. These assessments may vary from 1-to-1 testing sessions, to parent, teacher or caregiver questionnaires. The assessments are then scored and interpreted. Assessment results would then be evaluated and integrated with the information obtained, to answer the referral question (i.e., reason for seeking assessment). Findings and personalized intervention strategies would be presented to client via verbal feedback and/ or a psychological report. A full psychological report may be requested at the end of the assessment.
How long does a psychological
assessment last?
The assessment process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, and may span across several sessions. It depends on the nature of concerns, the individual’s age as well as a number of other factors.
What are the charges for a
psychological assessment?
The cost for a psychological assessment varies with the extent of the evaluation (i.e., number and types of tools utilized). A range of expected cost would usually be provided because it is difficult to know in advance the extent of the required assessment (i.e., what and how much to be assessed) until the initial appointment where detailed information regarding problem/ difficulty is obtained.
Training Program and Public Talk
Why should I (we) come for the training/ talk?
InPsych’s training is carefully designed to meet individual, group and even organization’s needs with a wide range of mental health related topic. Each training/talk will involve sharing of specialized information regarding the topic of interest, activities and/or discussion that will enhance your learning experiences.
How much it cost?
The cost of each training/talks depends on the content of its topic. Feel free to contact us for a quotation of your topic of
interest!
How long is the duration?
The duration can be from a one-hour talk to a three days seminar based on the topic of interest and its content.
Can I get the material used in the training/
talk?
All the material that is distributed by InPsych during trainings/talks can be shared with the author’s permission.
Where to get more information about the
training topic?
Contact InPsych to ask for the list of training topics! The list is being updated constantly based on the feedback and identified needs gathered from the field. Feel free to contact us if you have a specific interest on any mental health related topic!
Continuation of Care
What is continuation of care?
Continuation of care is a supportive intervention that fosters the client’s ability to heal within their own living environment.
The services are provided to the client’s caregiver as a way to enhance their care-giving ability and to continuously support the client’s progress that goes beyond the counselling process. This is done through home/school/community visits.
Who can benefit from home visit?
Caregivers who require support to assist the client on healing within their own living environment. Common cases are such as (but not limited to) parents/teachers of children with behavioural or developmental issues and family members of clients with chronic mental disorders. This is to facilitate caregivers to provide intervention within the client’s environment as a way to continuously improve his/her functioning.
How does continuation of care different from the ordinary therapy?
InPsych recognizes the need for the continuation of care to be provided to specific clients who require the extension of support beyond what can be obtained from ‘in-house’ counselling session. Often times, clients are able to learn new perspectives/behaviours within the counselling session but may regress after returning to their own environment. Hence, caregivers are encouraged to continuously support the client through the recommendations given by the Clinical Psychologists or Counsellors in order to maintain the client’s progress.
Who provides the services of continuation of care?
Our Clinical Psychologists and Counsellors are providing the services through home/school/community visits.
What are the fees?
There will be some additional charges incurred for each visit. Kindly contact us for more information.
Dance/Movement Therapy
What is DMT?
Dance Movement Therapy, more commonly referred to as DMT, uses the mode of movement and/or dance as a form of self-expression, to enhance the connection between mind and body, promoting self-awareness on a non-verbal level.
It is based on the fact that the "body remembers our every experience."
It allows individuals to connect with and work through experiences and life challenges, when words may simply not be enough.
Do I need to know how to dance in order to try DMT?
No, you need not have any dance experience or background to try DMT. Everyone can move!
No, you need not have any dance experience or background to try DMT. Everyone can move!Who can benefit from DMT?
DMT is a universal mode of therapy, especially beneficial for those who find verbal expression difficult.
It is used as a therapeutic option across all ages including those experiencing mental health difficulties of any kind, behavioural, relationship and social challenges and anxieties, eating disorders, trauma, loss or grief and difficulties in coping with life stressors.
More recently, DMT has also been used for pregnant or new mothers, to enhance attainment between mother and child.
How can DMT help children with special needs?
As a majority of children with special needs have difficulties with verbal expression, DMT allows them to communicate and express feelings and emotions through movement in a safely contained, boundaried and therapeutically supported space.
Additionally, it also enhances social integration, body and spatial awareness, and gross motor skills.
Can DMT be applied for people with schizophrenia?
Yes, DMT can benefit individuals with schizophrenia. The goals of therapy will be largely short term; often session by session, owing to the mentally fragmented states of this population.
Sessions will run with heavy emphasis on the "here and now" and the relationship created between client and therapist.
For those with schizophrenia, DMT has helped to enhance one's focus, body awareness and cohesion, and has worked wonders in "grounding" individuals, allowing them to be brought "back to reality".
As engagement for individuals in acute cases may prove to be quite difficult, progression is usually slower and requires a longer term of work.
Is DMT practiced in a group or individually?
DMT can be practiced both, individually or in groups. The therapist determines which would work better for the client upon assessment.
Can I try DMT concurrently with counselling or other forms of therapy?
Sure, DMT can be done alongside other therapies. As a team of professionals, therapists working with the same clients will work hand in hand to ensure that the client needs are met.
Is DMT the same as drama therapy?
DMT and Drama Therapy both come under the big umbrella of Creative Arts Therapies. Although there may be some overlap of techniques between the two, the therapeutic and psychological approaches taken in each still remain very different from each other.
Is DMT a dance class?
No, DMT is very different from a dance class, and Dance Movement Therapists are very different from dance teachers. While a dance class mainly focuses on the technique of movement, DMT uses non-choreographed movement as a tool for expressing one's inner world.
Is DMT similar to physiotherapy?
No, while the goal of physiotherapy is physical rehabilitation, the goal of DMT can be called 'mental and emotional rehabilitation'. Although DMT may pose several physical benefits, it is not the main goal of the therapy.
What is the current research about DMT?
As DMT is the youngest form of Creative Arts Therapy, research is still widely being carried out. However, it continues to move in favour of DMT as a strong form of alternative therapy, for all practices and techniques used by qualified Dance Movement Therapists are strongly evidence based
How long do I need to attend DMT?
The duration of DMT varies from short-term (once a week for 2 months to a year) to long term (once a week for 1-2 years or more) based on different cases. The therapist will suggest a recommended therapeutic duration upon assessment.
Sexuality Therapy
What is sexuality counselling?
Sexuality counseling is a form of counselling specialised in human sexuality issues. Issues like sexuality education for children and teenagers, human sexual development, sexual identity, sexual orientation, sexuality difficulties in couples, sexual dysfunction, sexual addiction, etc. will be discussed during sessions.
Do I come alone or with my partner for the first visit?
It depends on the issue. If it is related to your partner, bringing him/her may help. However, it is still fine to come alone.
What happens during sexuality counselling?
Just like any other psychological counselling, counsellors will first assess your issue and proceed with solving it based on your needs. It can be in the form of facilitated self-exploration, discussion or education. During the session, counsellors may use pictures, videos and tools to aid the conversation.
Does sexuality counselling only focus on sex?
No. Sexuality counselling focuses on the wholeness of an individual. Sometimes, sexuality may only be the presenting issue. It may be related to self-esteem, personality, relationship skills, etc. Personal development to reach life satisfaction is the ultimate goal in the counselling relationship.
Is sexuality counselling the same as couple counselling/therapy?
Sexuality counselling is different from couple counselling/therapy. It focuses on sexuality issues faced by the couple. However, in some cases relationships are related to their sexual life.
How long do I need to attend sexuality counselling?
It is by case to case basis. Some clients are only seeking for knowledge on dealing with their problems, some require change of behaviour, attitude or even believe system. Changes take time.
Do I need to take my cloths off or demonstrate my sexual difficulty?
NO! It only involves talking. Pictures, video and tools may be used as media for communication during sessions. Physical contact outside social etiquette or without client consent is against counselling ethics.
