Choosing a Counsellor
There is no one method or body of Islamic counselling and with so many people now offering Islamic counselling it can be over whelming.
Sadly some of these individuals who have little to no experience and advertise their services are not only hurting the professional industry but can seriously effect a client’s health by doing more harm than good thus putting a client off counselling and from seeking any further help.
Counselling sessions
Stay away from organisations that advertise sessions up front for example the more sessions you take the more discount you get. For one they don’t know how many sessions and individual or a couple should have. You should ask for an initial assessment which would determine, your circumstances and the number of sessions. It normally takes 4-6 sessions before you realise any progress has been made.
Qualifications
Membership of professional bodies
Insurance
All professional counsellors need liability insurance. It’s advisable to avoid those who don’t have this.
Convenience
Flexibility
Some counsellors are very flexible about appointment times, changing appointments etc. Some are quite rigid about such things as they may see this rigidity as a part of the whole process. Select what suits you.
Cancellation or missed appointment
All counsellors/organisations will charge you if you miss an appointment. Check with them to see how much notice you have to give them without being charged? Some ask for 24 or 48 hours’ notice.