Helping you build an intentional life

Breathe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is counselling and therapy?

Counselling is a process of facilitating change, and a process of healing and recovery. This process includes reflecting on, and deepening your understanding of, your own behaviours, thoughts and feelings: to make sense of them, and in order to make the changes you want to make. The process is specifically tailored to you.

What kind of therapy do you do?

I trained in a range of different therapies, which means I can use a variety of strategies and models in response to what works for you including person-centred, psychodynamic, transactional analysis, gestalt(understanding inner conflicts), CBT, mindfulness based and somatic or body awareness therapies.

How long is a session?

Each session is an hour long, and is usually once per week.

How long will it take?

This depends on why you are coming to therapy and how safe you feel to engage in the process. What’s important is making sure we regularly check how it’s going for you, and whether you are getting what you came for.

How much does it cost?

The ongoing cost of counselling is $130 per one hour session, inclusive of GST.

How do I book an appointment?

By email: cary@carymcdermott.com
By text or phone: 021 022 99 570
I will respond to telephone contact during regular business hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. I will try to respond within 24 hours.
By making an appointment, you are agreeing that if you give less than 24 hours notice of cancellation, you will pay for your appointment, except in certain exceptional circumstances, or where I fill the appointment.

How do I make payments?

For face-to-face and online sessions you can pay by internet banking before or immediately after the appointment

What if I need to cancel?

Please give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel, preferably by phone or text. This means that someone else can use the time should they need it.
You will be charged for your session if 24 working hours notice is not given of cancellation. This means if you are not going to be able to make your Monday appointment it would need to be cancelled on Friday.
This fee is not applicable in certain circumstances that can’t be helped including genuine emergencies.
If I am able to fill the space, the fee will not apply.

What can I expect at a first face-to-face session?

At the first session we will talk about what specifically has brought you to counselling at this time. We will look at what you are wanting from therapy and you will get an opportunity to ask me questions and experience the way I work, to see if that feels right for you.

Over the first few sessions I will also be gathering a picture of your current family, relationships and work situation and history. This gives me a more complete context to work with, and often talking about your circumstances and your patterns helps you understand more clearly why you have come to counselling and what you are wanting.

But how do I know if it feels right for me?

We will talk about this at the end of the first session, but you also need to ask questions and trust your gut feeling. While it’s important to feel confidence in a therapist’s qualifications, experience and professional membership, this choice is all about listening to yourself and what feels right for you. Do you feel accepted and understood in way that makes sense to you?

What outcome can I expect?

As we engage in this work, you can expect relief from symptoms, an increased self understanding and acceptance, and to develop a wider range of more adaptive strategies with which to care for yourself and approach your life and any difficulties you may have, and a deeper sense of satisfaction and contentment with the life you are building.

How confidential is it?

All counselling sessions, our communications and the fact you are attending counselling are completely confidential, unless you give your consent to any particular information being disclosed.

The first exception is supervision, which I attend under my professional code of practice. However, discussing counselling processes and issues does not mean disclosing your identity, and my supervisor is also bound by a Code of Ethics including confidentiality.

The second exception to this principle is when, in my professional judgement, I believe there is clear and imminent danger to you or others. This would include circumstances where your competence to make a decision is impaired and is something, where possible, I would discuss with you first.

I also take notes. I am the only person who sees them and they are kept securely.