FAQs

Do you want an individual consultation?

1) Why choose Living in the Light?

Therapy can be a daunting process for many to undertake. Our problems may seem unsolvable, we may believe that our concerns may be dismissed as trivial, or we may believe that we will be judged very harshly for our thoughts, and behaviours.

At Living in the light, my aim is to create an open and accepting environment where everyone feels heard and understood. This is a judgement free zone and I want you to feel safe enough to be vulnerable with me as you share what kind of future you envision for your life. I truly believe that each one of us is capable of creating the life we wish to live, and I want to facilitate you in that journey.

I have a master degree in Psychology and am a certified ACT therapist. I am continuously learning and evolving to provide the best care to my clients. I can confidently say that with me, you will receive the highest quality of compassionate, empathetic acceptance and care.

2) Is therapy confidential?

The act of coming into a session of counselling requires a great deal of courage for the person. The person is choosing to be open and vulnerable with essentially a stranger initially about their greatest fears and hopes. Without the commitment of confidentiality, that relationship between a client and a therapist can never develop authentically. Confidentiality is the foundation upon which the trust between a client and a therapist rests and allows them both to explore what lies beneath the clients thoughts and actions. It helps create the positive change the client envisions for themselves.

There are however, some limitations to how far confidentiality is extended. As a counsellor it is my job to advocate for you and if i access that you may be in danger (self-harm, suicide, on-going abuse) or that you may be causing harm to someone else, it is my duty to inform an emergency contact to help you and others around you be safe. I will inform you when I make such a call and what will be informed on the call with your emergency contact may be discussed prior to making that call.

3) Can teenagers come to therapy without guardians?

By law, teenagers under the age of 18 are still considered minors by law and as such we cannot provide care without the consent of a guardian. However, with the consent of your guardian (parents or others) we may enter into a counselling relationship.

If you are above the age of 16, you may still reach out to us for a initial consultation, after which we may discuss if it would be possible for us to enter into a counselling relationship without the consent of your guardians.

4) As parents, will our teenage children’s issues be discussed

The teenage years are complicated and confusing times for both parents and their children. Parents may find that their children are more hesitant to share what is happening in their lives and are becoming more distant. As parents, we also wish to have all of the information to help keep our children safe. If your children are still minors (under 18), it is your legal right to have the information regarding the healthcare they are receiving.

However to build a lasting and trusting relationship with my clients, even those who are minors, I keep the bounds of confidentiality strictly maintained. While I will not discuss what your child has told me in session without their consent, i am willing to discuss how therapy is proceeding, if they are responding to treatment and their progress.

Further, if I assess that there is a risk of harm, abuse, bullying or suicidal ideation, confidentiality does not apply to these and I will set up an appointment to inform you of these risks your child is facing and how to keep them safe.

5) What is ACT?

As a humanistic counsellor, I am always drawn to the power of radical acceptance as the stepping stone towards change. ACT is a third wave therapy that combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness, allowing space for clients to accept their negatives thoughts as normal reactions to their circumstances, which then gives them the psychological flexibility to commit to the change they want in their lives without constantly fighting their own minds. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. It is a liberating modality that is action focused, value based and guilt free, flexible approach to change.

6) What if I’m not happy with therapy work that you do?

We highly encourage feedback from our clients as it helps us strengthen our skills and gain perspective in our work. We have a feedback form available online and in-person if you wish to give feedback anonymously or you can bring up your concerns in session as well. We will do our best to address those concerns and pivot our work to incorporate the feedback we have received.

7) Will online therapy be effective?

The harsh new reality of the pandemic and lockdowns forced all therapists to upgrade their skill set to include how to be effective online counsellors. It has certainly been a learning curve for all of us, but the benefits of online counselling has now made it the preferred choice amongst the majority of people. Online counselling is more accessible and less time-consuming, hence better commitment to the process. We are also always open to feedback about how the therapeutic process can work more effectively for you, thus ensuring that your association with us is productive and gratifying.

8) What is the Fee structure at Litl?

Our fee structures differ based on the services being availed. Our starting price for counselling services is INR 1000. Please ask about our service charges for the service you desire during your initial consultation with us.

9) What is the process of cancellation at Litl?

We understand that certain times cancellations are inevitable, however we would like to minimise cancellations as much as possible. You must inform us via email or call about a cancellation at least 6 hours prior, so that we may be able to accommodate another client in that time slot. First time cancellation is free, but further cancellation may be charged 50% of the service fee.

10) How many sessions will I need?

Therapeutic work is a slow process that requires both therapist and client to commit to the sometimes distressing work of inward reflection. Our initial sessions will be focused on understanding your history and yourself in context, followed by goal setting in line with your values. For therapy to be effective, I require my clients to commit to a minimum of 8 sessions. At the end of 4 sessions, I do hold a feedback session to assess if we are aligned and working towards your goals or if there are suggestions that would help me be more effective in my work with you.

11) Why do I need to give an emergency contact number?

To ensure your safety, it is imperative that I may be able to contact a trusted contact of yours, should I assess the risk of self-harm or suicide, or on-going abuse. As your therapist it is my duty to advocate for your safety. Please be assured that I do not discuss any confidential information you have shared with me in our sessions, unless given express written consent by you. If the need for contacting your emergency contact is assessed, you will be informed prior to me making this call. I will not discuss anything beyond the assessment of risk, i.e. self-harm, suicide or abuse and how to keep you safe. If your emergency contact has further questions, they will be encouraged to ask you directly and to respect your choice to share or not share these details with them.