FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get your questions answered. Read the FAQs here.

Common Questions about Self-Care

• What is self-care?

  Self-care means caring for your body, mind, and spirit and taking conscious actions for your overall well-being. It includes mindful activities that a person can engage in on a regular basis to take care of personal needs and well-being. Individual responsibility is required in order to take action and make further changes.

• Why is self-care important?

  Self-care is important for your mental, emotional, and physical health. It has various positive consequences, including improved physical well-being, increased concentration on goals, improved emotional well-being, the development of healthier relationships with others, and the development of self-awareness. Think of a situation where you supported someone in the past. It was equally necessary for you to take care of yourself first during that time.

• Is seeking help a part of self-care?

  Seeking help is the first step towards self-care, and it can be tough to know where to begin. It is a natural state to feel unsure, think aloud, and wonder whether you can handle things on your own. It is perfectly fine to ask for help, even if you are unsure of what you are going through.

• What is Self-talk? Does it play an important role in Self-Care?

  Self-talk is your inner voice that you often hear throughout the day. It is important to be aware of your self-talk; since, it may become a hindrance to your self-care routine if it is self-defeating. Hence, the choice of words are important. Self-talk is like your constant companion that over a period of time you may have picked up defensive, negative, self-defeating, aggressive thought patterns etc. due to certain beliefs and suppressed emotions. Hence, a healthy and supportive inner voice will allow you to engage in self-care.

• Do you think keeping a diary or journaling is helpful?

  Keeping a diary or journal is a practical and healthy way of identifying unhelpful self-talk. Journaling allows you to retain a detailed record of your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences. You can use a diary to keep a record of certain important events. For example, you can record your sleep patterns, exercise routine, etc.

Common Questions about Therapy

• What is therapy?

  Psychotherapy is referred to as talk therapy or therapy. It is a process that aims at helping an individual in overcoming emotional distress and other mental health concerns.

• How can therapy help?

  Therapy can help you in the following ways:
  - to understand your own thoughts, behaviours, and emotions
  - learn to navigate through your difficult emotions and engage in healthy behaviours.
  - to work on certain goals and areas of your life.
  - to work on emotional as well as behavioural goals.

• What happens during and after each therapy session?

  - You have the opportunity to reflect and choose a different perspective on difficult situations, finding solutions to unresolved concerns.
  - Applying what you've learned to your real life brings you the benefit of positive change.
  - Over time, you gradually learn to implement the insights gained from therapy sessions.
  - After the session, an email will be sent to you summarizing the points discussed.
  - Homework activities are assigned after each session to support your progress.

• Will I receive a session summary after each therapy session?

  Yes. I will send you a follow-up email after each therapy session, along with the homework activity.

• What is the importance of follow-up email and homework activity?

  - The follow-up email will give you a clear picture of the points discussed and reflected on during the therapy session.
  - The homework activity will help you put your learning into practice.
  - In between sessions, homework is an important aspect that will help you achieve your goals in therapy.
  - It will help you apply and integrate what you learned throughout the session by introducing new behaviours in real-life circumstances.

• What if I don't know what my goals are for therapy?

  If you aren't sure what your goals are for therapy, I will help you figure that out. Most people find some aspect of their lives uncomfortable when they decide to sign up for therapy sessions. As you progress with the therapy sessions, you will notice that you have several goals. We would work on one goal at a time.

• How do I know if I need therapy?

  Some common reasons why people seek therapy are:
  - Difficulty managing thoughts, emotions, and feelings impacting daily life
  - Increased frequency of worry and anxiety
  - Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  - Lack of focus or concerns affecting performance in studies, work, or home life
  - Persistent sleep difficulties or significant changes in sleep patterns
  - Sudden changes in eating habits, such as overeating or skipping meals
  - Engaging in distractions to avoid dealing with stressors or concerns
  - Seeking additional support for self-care and mental health

• Why do people choose therapy?

  Here are some common reasons why people choose therapy:
  - Desire for greater self-awareness
  - Need to discuss difficult topics and receive professional help
  - Difficulty adjusting to changes and transitions in life
  - Struggling with identity crisis or self-worth
  - Feeling stuck in certain life situations
  - Going through a phase of grief
  - Overwhelming emotions (depression, anger, frustration, anxiety, guilt, shame) that are difficult to manage
  - Relationship difficulties
  - Feeling lost and in need of direction
  - Seeking an objective viewpoint
  - Sleep difficulties, feeling stressed, or overtired

• How do I know if it is the right time for me to go for therapy?

  If you get sick, you don't hesitate to go to the doctor. The same is true for mental health, and taking small steps toward emotional well-being will help you. Initially, it will be reaching out to a friend, reading up on therapy articles, having a pre-consultation session, and so on. This will help you prepare for therapy and make you more open to it. Remember that anything new can be intimidating and appear to be a daunting task for which you may believe you lack the time or resources. However, if you understand that prioritising your mental health will have long-term benefits, it is worth going through the initial discomfort.

• Do people choose therapy only during a crisis?

  Therapy is not only useful in times of crisis, but it can also be used on a daily basis to face life's challenges. It cannot take away the challenges, but it can equip you with powerful tools to deal with them without the wear and tear of the mind and emotions.

• What are the therapies that I specialise in?

  In my therapy sessions, I practice Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Projective Cards, and Guided Visualization.

• What is Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy?

  Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), developed by Albert Ellis, is based on the idea that it is not the things that happen to us that cause our problems—it is our thoughts and thinking patterns that lead to the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural issues that challenge us.

• What is Person-Centered Therapy?

  Person-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a non-directive therapy approach. During each therapy session, the client is given a space to actively take charge, while the therapist serves mostly as a guide or source of help for the client.

• What are Projective Cards?

  The projective cards help my clients express their emotions and thoughts. These cards give a voice and space to individuals during the therapy sessions.

• What is Guided Visualization?

  Guided visualization, also known as guided imagery, is a technique that combines meditation, mindfulness, and imagination to help individuals connect with their inner selves and bring about positive change. By engaging in a guided journey of visualization, people can tap into their creative power, explore their subconscious mind, and experience transformative shifts in their thoughts, emotions, and well-being.

• Will the counselling sessions be confidential? Is it safe to share?

  Yes, the counselling sessions would be highly confidential. All the information disclosed in the sessions is kept completely confidential, abiding by the ethic of confidentiality. It is a safe space for you to share, and at no point in time would any information shared by you be released anywhere.

• Are there any limitations to confidentiality?

  There are certain situations in which, as a counsellor, I am legally and ethically obligated to take necessary actions to protect a client or others from harm. In the event that such a situation arises, appropriate steps will be taken accordingly.

  Confidentiality will be broken under three conditions:
  a) If there is a suspicion or evidence of harm to oneself.
  b) If there is a suspicion or evidence of harm to others.
  c) If the court of law in India requires disclosure.

Common Questions about therapy sessions

• What is the frequency and duration of the sessions?

  The sessions are usually conducted once a week. The duration of each session is 50 minutes. On request, extended sessions (those lasting longer than the session timings) may be available and will be charged separately.

• How long do I expect to have to continue with the counselling sessions?

  The length of counselling sessions differs from person to person. As each individual is different, so are the circumstances and needs. Usually eight to ten sessions are recommended, with a follow-up and review following that.

• How can I check the availability of the sessions?

  You can fill out the session form or simply drop me a message on Whatsapp.

• Do I need to pay in advance for the session?

  You need to make payment of the professional fees the day before your therapy appointment.

• Can you tell me more about the 15-minute free consultation call?

  The 15-minute consultation call is for you to share with me your core concerns that you would like to address in therapy. I will also share with you the therapy process and how it will help you. Towards the end of the call, you would have a clear idea about signing up for the therapy services.

• What days and timings are available for booking appointments?

  Here are the dates and times available for booking appointments:
  Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• How do I schedule my appointment?

  Fill out the session form and I will contact you as soon as possible.

• How do I pay the fees for the sessions?

  I accept all major credit and debit cards, Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, and NetBanking. After making an appointment and receiving confirmation, you will receive payment information via email.

• Is there an email for general inquiries?

  You can send me an email at magicthought.in@gmail.com

Common Questions about Online sessions

• What is the medium of the therapy sessions?

  You can choose between Google Meet and Skype.

• What is Google Meet?

  Google Meet is an easy-to-use, free video-conference-calling platform available on the internet. It is compatible with most desktop systems, including Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, and even some Linux systems like Ubuntu. The app is available for Android, iOS, and iPad OS.

• Are you new to Google Meet?

  If you are new to Google Meet, getting a little practice with an online tutorial and seeking help from a person at your end, testing the sound, and setting up a day prior to the session is advisable. This is recommended before entering Google Meet sessions to ensure that the session's duration is not compromised by time constraints.

• What is Skype?

  Skype is an easy-to-use, free video and voice calling application available on the internet. It can be downloaded on laptops, personal computers, and smartphones.

• Are you new to Skype?

  If you are new to Skype, getting a little practice with an online tutorial and seeking help from a person at your end, testing the sound, and setting up a day prior to the session is advisable. This would be recommended before getting onto the Skype session so that the duration of the session is not compromised by time.

• What are the basic requirements for online sessions?

  You would need the following:
  - An electronic device like a computer, laptop, phone, or tablet.
  - A stable internet connection.
  - A video camera for Google Meet / Skype.
  - Microphone-equipped headphones with volume controls and clear speech audibility.
  - A quiet place for an undisturbed session.