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Talking therapy and counselling

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

How can I get the most from therapy? 

Supporting someone else

If someone you care about is going through a hard time, our pages on how to cope when supporting someone else and helping someone else seek help give suggestions on what you can do, and where you can go for support. 

How can I make any therapy I’m offered suit me better?

Getting the most out of therapy can sometimes feel difficult, especially if you’re offered a type of therapy that isn’t exactly right for you, or worry that you’ve not been offered enough sessions to make a difference. But there are positive steps you can take to get the most out of any therapy you’re offered: 

  • Make sure talking therapy is the right choice for you just now.
    It could help to ask yourself beforehand:

    • Am I ready to explore my feelings and behaviour?
    • Do I feel able to open up about things that are very personal or hard to talk about?
    • Is there anything else I need to get help with first? (Our information on housing issues and money issues might be helpful.) 
  • Decide what you want to achieve from therapy. It can help to set some small goals which you feel are achievable. Discuss this with your therapist so you can both aim to reach a shared goal. 
  • Understand the type of therapy you’re getting. Ask your therapist how they think this kind of therapy can help you, and what to expect from it. If they use terms you don’t understand, ask them to explain. Reading Mind UK’s section on common terms used in therapy and information sections on the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong’s website might help. 
  • Talk about what’s most important to you. Therapy sessions are your time, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to talk about something you don’t feel is important. 
  • Tell your therapist what’s working and what isn’t. They might be able to change the sessions so that they suit you better. 
  • Make the room feel more comfortable and safe. For example, you could ask to change where you sit, or adjust the lighting or the temperature of the room so you feel more relaxed. 
  • Take something in with you to help you ground yourself, such as a treasured item or something you can fiddle with. 
  • Have someone you trust nearby, if you want. It could help you relax if you know someone will be there to meet you when the session is finished. 

Dealing with therapy coming to an end 

It’s common to have a mixture of thoughts and emotions about finishing therapy. It’s likely to depend on the experience you’ve had and the relationship you’ve formed with your therapist. There’s no one particular way you’re supposed to feel. 

If you’re worried about how you’ll cope, tell your therapist how you’re feeling. They might be able to help you plan things you can do after your therapy has ended to help yourself, think of alternatives to try, and work out your next steps. 

“Therapy can be frustrating at times, but as long as you are ready to look at your problems honestly it can be a really useful space to talk about what’s bothering you.”

 

What can I do if my therapy isn’t helping? 

Therapeutic relationships can be challenging. It can take time to build trust and feel comfortable with a therapist, and it’s common to have times when you feel frustrated or upset after a session. 

But sometimes you might find that, even after trying it for a while, you’re really not happy with how it’s going. In this case you may want to consider: 

  • talking to your therapist about any problems you’re having with them 
  • asking your therapist whether they can offer you a different type of therapy 
  • asking your family doctor if there is another therapist you can work with 
  • finding another therapist, especially if you are accessing therapy privately 
  • ending your therapy, or seeking alternatives to try instead. 

 

How do I complain about therapy? 

If you have a serious concern about any treatment you’ve received, you can complain. 

Your therapist should tell you their complaints process if you ask them for it. If that doesn’t feel possible you could ask your therapist what professional body they’re registered with, then make your complaint through that body (all professional bodies should have a complaints procedure you can follow). 

Consult your nearest Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) to find some frequently asked questions about concerns that come up in therapy. If you’re unsure how you feel and want another opinion before making a complaint, you can contact your local ICCMW.

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

Getting the most from therapy

How can I get the most from therapy? 

Supporting someone else

If someone you care about is going through a hard time, our pages on how to cope when supporting someone else and helping someone else seek help give suggestions on what you can do, and where you can go for support. 

How can I make any therapy I'm offered suit me better?

Getting the most out of therapy can sometimes feel difficult, especially if you're offered a type of therapy that isn't exactly right for you, or worry that you've not been offered enough sessions to make a difference. But there are positive steps you can take to get the most out of any therapy you're offered: 

  • Make sure talking therapy is the right choice for you just now.
    It could help to ask yourself beforehand:

    • Am I ready to explore my feelings and behaviour?
    • Do I feel able to open up about things that are very personal or hard to talk about?
    • Is there anything else I need to get help with first? (Our information on housing issues and money issues might be helpful.) 
  • Decide what you want to achieve from therapy. It can help to set some small goals which you feel are achievable. Discuss this with your therapist so you can both aim to reach a shared goal. 
  • Understand the type of therapy you're getting. Ask your therapist how they think this kind of therapy can help you, and what to expect from it. If they use terms you don't understand, ask them to explain. Reading Mind UK’s section on common terms used in therapy and information sections on the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong’s website might help. 
  • Talk about what's most important to you. Therapy sessions are your time, and you shouldn't feel pressured to talk about something you don't feel is important. 
  • Tell your therapist what's working and what isn't. They might be able to change the sessions so that they suit you better. 
  • Make the room feel more comfortable and safe. For example, you could ask to change where you sit, or adjust the lighting or the temperature of the room so you feel more relaxed. 
  • Take something in with you to help you ground yourself, such as a treasured item or something you can fiddle with. 
  • Have someone you trust nearby, if you want. It could help you relax if you know someone will be there to meet you when the session is finished. 

Dealing with therapy coming to an end 

It's common to have a mixture of thoughts and emotions about finishing therapy. It's likely to depend on the experience you've had and the relationship you've formed with your therapist. There's no one particular way you're supposed to feel. 

If you're worried about how you'll cope, tell your therapist how you're feeling. They might be able to help you plan things you can do after your therapy has ended to help yourself, think of alternatives to try, and work out your next steps. 

“Therapy can be frustrating at times, but as long as you are ready to look at your problems honestly it can be a really useful space to talk about what's bothering you.”

 

What can I do if my therapy isn't helping? 

Therapeutic relationships can be challenging. It can take time to build trust and feel comfortable with a therapist, and it's common to have times when you feel frustrated or upset after a session. 

But sometimes you might find that, even after trying it for a while, you're really not happy with how it's going. In this case you may want to consider: 

  • talking to your therapist about any problems you're having with them 
  • asking your therapist whether they can offer you a different type of therapy 
  • asking your family doctor if there is another therapist you can work with 
  • finding another therapist, especially if you are accessing therapy privately 
  • ending your therapy, or seeking alternatives to try instead. 

 

How do I complain about therapy? 

If you have a serious concern about any treatment you've received, you can complain. 

Your therapist should tell you their complaints process if you ask them for it. If that doesn't feel possible you could ask your therapist what professional body they're registered with, then make your complaint through that body (all professional bodies should have a complaints procedure you can follow). 

Consult your nearest Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) to find some frequently asked questions about concerns that come up in therapy. If you're unsure how you feel and want another opinion before making a complaint, you can contact your local ICCMW.