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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Some of this information is available in the consent form provided to you at the beginning of your therapy.

Sessions


Divija has stopped her client intake due to slot unavailability. The slots for her current clients are limited due to other work commitments. New slots will only be available after the ongoing therapy of her current clients is completed. Currently, we can connect you only with therapists on our team who have been interviewed and selected by Divija.


We do not provide introductory calls or trial/free sessions to ensure fair compensation for the therapists' time, effort, and expertise in assisting individuals. However, you are welcome to engage in a brief conversation via WhatsApp chat/messages before scheduling your first session. Feel free to explore this opportunity without any pressure or obligation to continue with therapy. The decision to proceed is entirely yours.


Our cancellation and reschedule policy requires informing the therapist and The Friendly Couch admin team (on Instagram/WhatsApp) at least 24 hours in advance of the session time for any changes. The same policy applies to sessions the client does not attend, as it is considered a no-show. Session fees paid are forfeited if the session is rescheduled less than 24 hours before and cannot be refunded or used towards a rescheduled session. This policy is in place because assigning the session to a different client at such short notice is impractical, potentially affecting others who may have been waiting for an appointment. Lack of prior intimation or a client not attending the scheduled session can result in a waste of the therapist's time and effort.


The therapist will recommend an initial session to assess your concerns and discuss a suitable frequency for ongoing sessions. There is no strict schedule you need to adhere to; you are free to choose a session frequency that aligns with your comfort and preferences.


Certainly! The therapists on our team are available for sessions on weekends and late evenings. If you prefer a weekend or late evening time slot for your appointment, please communicate your preferences when reaching out, and we'll be happy to assist you!


The therapists on The Friendly Couch team manage their own slots, typically getting booked 3-4 days in advance. Upon connecting with a psychologist, you can communicate your preferences for the day and time, and they will assign the best available slot for your appointment.

Therapy


You are welcome to prepare some points if you wish, but there is no obligation to do so before the session.


We typically recommend starting with a counseling psychologist if you're new to therapy. If you require specialized assistance, you can be transferred to a clinical psychologist through our internal process. However, if you have already been diagnosed, are seeking a diagnosis, have suicidal thoughts, or suspect you may have a disorder, we strongly advise opting for a clinical psychologist.


Therapy is a process, and expecting a cure in one session is not realistic. The initial session focuses on building a therapeutic relationship and understanding your main concerns. Just as problems don't manifest overnight and evolve over time, the healing process also requires time and cannot be completed in a single session. Each individual is unique, and their healing journey will unfold at its own pace.


It's important to note that our therapists are not crisis counselors and cannot communicate with you outside of scheduled sessions. This policy is in place to prevent dependency and to uphold their professional boundaries and timings.


We do not offer chat-based therapy. Chat therapy is not included in the training of academic psychologists, and effective therapy cannot be adequately conducted through messages or chat. We strongly advise against opting for therapy services via chat, as this method is not scientifically proven for counseling and may not provide the intended benefits.


There is no age limit for consulting a psychologist on our team. For minors (under 18), we require a consent letter or acknowledgment from an adult regarding the minor's therapy. The consenting adult does not necessarily have to be a parent or guardian but should be someone capable of providing consent and acknowledging the client's participation in therapy. If you are able to provide a consent letter, please let us know, and we will provide the necessary details for inclusion in the letter.

Diagnosis


We usually suggest going to a counselling psychologist if you’re new to therapy. In case you need specialised help, you can always be transferred to the clinical psychologist through our internal transfer process. However, if you are already diagnosed or would like to get diagnosed or have suicidal thoughts, or think you might have a disorder please opt for a clinical psychologist.


Please visit the Diagnosis page for more information.

Payment


Payment is accepted through UPI/GPay/Paytm/PhonePe/Bank Transfer/Remitly/Wise. To confirm your slot, payment is required in advance. If payment is not received at least a day in advance, your slot may be allocated to another individual.


While we do accept credit and debit cards, please be aware that a ₹100 charge per session is applied due to the transaction fees incurred through the payment processing app. Therefore, the session fees for payments via card would be ₹2,300/₹2,600 per session. If you prefer to pay via credit card, kindly inform us, and we will provide you with a payment link.


Refunds are not provided in the case of no-shows and last-minute cancellations. In such instances, a new payment will be required. Our therapists reserve a slot for you, and if a last-minute rescheduling occurs, the slot cannot be allocated to someone else, resulting in wasted time. Rescheduling a day in advance is allowed at no additional cost.


Certainly! We provide discounted packages for multiple sessions booked in advance. For detailed information on packages and discounts, kindly visit our Pricing page. or contact us through our social media channels!


Absolutely! We provide receipts for all payments upon request.

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