Q: Can I just drop in?
Sitara: Our counselors are available only through a prior appointment. So we request that you reach out to us to set up an appointment prior to dropping in.
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Q: How do I reach out to you for an appointment?
Sitara: You can either call ur or text us or Whsatsapp us on 7483757072.
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Q: Do you provide online and offline services?
Sitara: Yes we do. Several of our counselees infact are from different time zones.
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Q: If I start offline can I move it to online?
Sitara: Yes you can. You have the option of specifying per appointment if you would prefer that particular one to be online or offline.
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Q: Can I move an appointment to online at the last minute if I am caught up with some work?
Sitara: Our counselors need to travel a distance and hence we need atleast one hour prior notice to move an appointment online.
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Q: If I am a little late to the session can I get an extension?
Sitara: Given that most times our counselors have back-to-back sessions, this, is not a possibility and we urge you to be on time to maximize your session.
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Q: Is there a difference in the online and offline pricing?
Sitara: No there isn’t. We charge the same price for online and offline sessions.
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Q: Is the cost per session the same all the time irrespective of the number of sessions I need to attend?
Sitara: Yes. The cost remains the same per session. ​
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Q: How long is a session?
Sitara: A typical session is 55 minutes to 60 minutes.
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Q: Can I do back to back sessions?
Sitara: Yes you can, but we would advice you check with your counselor. Sometimes it could be counter productive, while many times it might be needed to be able to get to depths of a particular topic.
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Q: How long will I have to stay in therapy?
Sitara: It is completely dependent on what we need to deal with. Some issues need just one session, some issues which are a lot more deep rooted can take several sessions over a period of time. However, it is our endeavor to make sure that you do not stay in therapy for prolonged periods of time since we think that causes a dependence on the counselor and we do not want that for you. Hence, we work with you to help you develop those tools an techniques that enable you to be self-sufficient as soon as possible.
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Q: I have heard of CBT (or any particular kind of therapy) – is that what Sitara does?
Sitara: At Sitara we believe that one size does not fit all. We do not take your problem and force fit it into a certain kind of therapy. We instead used an eclectic approach to therapy that is tailored to your specific needs. We draw from a wide range of therapies to help you along on this path of self-healing.
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Q: Can I get my counselors number so that I can reach out when in need?
Sitara: At Sitara our endeavor is to make you self-sufficient. Which means we help you deal with situations, no matter how bad it might seem. To do this though, we need to give you the space you need to use the resources you have within you. Human tendency is to take the easy way out and when we have our counselors number we reach out to them, not using the resources at hand, and therein causing dependency. This in the long run harms you and your path to a fully realized life. And hence do not share their number nor do we encourage interactions outside of sessions.
While this is true on one side it is also necessary to point out that our counselors are human too and hence need their space as well while they too deal with their own personal lives. We need to respect that and not intrude into their personal space.
Q: Will I need to do homework?
Sitara: Given that we encourage one session every five to ten days at the most (some extreme situations might need sessions at closer time periods), if we wait for all of the work to happen during the session then therapy can be a long drawn out process. Hence, to hasten this process the counselor might recommend some thinking to do when not in session which helps you develop those techniques and dig deeper and help you faster in your mental health journey.
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Q: I need answers to very specific questions – can you help me with that?
Sitara: At Sitara we believe in a ‘non-directional” approach to counselling. What this means is that our counselors will guide you to discover the answers you already have within you. A lot of the details are sometimes hidden in nuances and any “direction” by anybody could sometimes cause more harm than good. And at Sitara we believe in the principle of ‘non-maleficence” which basically means "first, do no harm" above all else. And hence we cannot offer you specific answers. However, we still do point out possibilities, and we also play devils advocate to help you think from different perspectives and help you arrive at a clear solution that is entirely yours. And through this process you will learn too how to come to solutions all on your own without having to depend on anybody else.
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Q: Will I have the same counselor throughout?
Sitara: Yes. We try to make sure tha you will always meet the same counselor so that there is continuity. However, say for example you were in therapy for awhile with Sitara for several years post that you did great. But then you wanted cousenling help for some other issue at hand – if the counselor is no longer with Sitara – we might not be able to align you with the same person again.
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Q. Are your counselors qualified? What is their qualification?
Sitara: Every one of our counselors are very well qualified, trained and experienced and have been doing counselling for a while. Most of their credentials are displayed in our therapy center. More importantly they are people who have navigated several situations in life and hence are able to empathize first hand with what you are going through, while their training and qualification helps them guide you along on this journey of mental health in a non-judgmental way.
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Q. If I am not happy with a counselor can I change my counselor at Sitara?
Sitara: Absolutely. All our counselors chief objective is your wellbeing. Hence, if you are unhappy for absolutely any reason, we can align with you with a different counselor (basis availability). If, however, that too does not work for you, we can provide you with the contact information of other counselors you can approach as well, but we urge you to not end the journey mid-way cause the vibe wasn’t right with one person or one center.