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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 find a therapist? 

This section explains how to find: 

  • Therapy via the Hospital Authority
  • Charity therapists 
  • Therapists at your place of work or education 
  • Private therapists 

Things to ask when arranging an appointment with a therapist 

You may want to ask your therapist (or the person referring you for therapy) about: 

  • their background and qualifications 
  • the type of therapy they practice 
  • if they have a specialism (for example, some therapists specialise in working with particular issues or groups such as younger people, LGBTQ+ people, or survivors of abuse and violence) 
  • their experience of working with the problem you’re experiencing 
  • whether there is a waiting list and how long it will take you to get an appointment 
  • how long the therapy will last and what it will be like 
  • the benefits and risks involved 
  • what happens if you cancel or miss a session 
  • their confidentiality policy 
  • if you have a disability and need reasonable adjustments to make the sessions easier for you to attend. 

It’s also important to mention any special requirements or preferences you have. For example, if you’d feel most comfortable seeing a therapist of a particular gender, or who speaks your first language, or has a particular specialism.

“For me it took a couple of tries before I found the right therapist that I felt comfortable with.”

Seeking therapy via the public sector

Any therapy provided through the Hospital Authority should be low-cost or free of charge. The common routes to access talking therapies through the public sector are: 

  • Your family doctor. Your family doctor might refer you to a suitable service after speaking to you – that service will then get in touch with you. 
  • The ICCMW. All localities in Hong Kong contain an Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, which is available to all residents in the local area. The staff here can assist people experiencing mental health problems to access the support they need via the public sector.
  • Self-referral. Some areas run services which you can contact directly to refer yourself for a talking therapy. Your family doctor might give you the number of a service you can call.
  • Clinical Psychology services provided by the Social Welfare Department. You can find a list of services offered here.

What if there are long waiting lists? 

Unfortunately it’s very common to have to spend time on a waiting list before getting therapy in the public sector. While you’re on a waiting list it might help to: 

  • Ask your doctor to give you a contact number to ring to check how long you have to wait. 
  • Explore any alternatives to therapy which might help in the meantime. 

Our page on seeking help gives more suggestions. 

MindHK is campaigning to make sure that everyone has access to talking therapies when they need them.

Charity therapists 

Some community and charity sector organisations may offer free or low-cost talking therapies. For example: 

Some charities also provide telephone listening and emotional support services. These are not counselling or therapy, but can be helpful if you need to talk to someone in between sessions. 

Therapists at your place of work or education 

  • If you’re a student – many colleges and universities have a free counselling service. You can usually access this without going through your academic tutors or family doctors. (See our pages on coping with student life for more information) 
  • If you’re an employee – your workplace might offer an Employee Assistance Programme which might provide a limited number of free therapy sessions. You can usually access this without going through your Manager, HR department or family doctor. (See our pages on coping with working life for more information) 

Private therapists 

There are many reasons you might consider seeking support from a private therapist, although it’s not an option for everyone because it can be expensive. If you decide to explore private therapy, it’s a good idea to look for a therapist using the online search function of a reliable website which only lists therapists who are registered with a professional body. For example: 

You can also do a search online to find local therapists who are practising independently. If you do this, be sure to check their credentials before commencing therapy. 

Before committing to paying for therapy it may be helpful to ask: 

  • How much do they charge per session? 
  • Do they offer a free consultation to allow you to decide whether you can work together? 
  • Do they offer reduced rates or sliding scale fees for people on lower incomes? 
  • Do they charge for missed appointments (and if yes, how much notice do you need to give them to avoid being charged)? 

See our page on private sector care for more information on paying for healthcare. 

Online or digital therapy 

You may find websites offering low cost therapy online. This can be helpful if you’re uncomfortable talking to someone in person, or if you have difficulty leaving the house or using transport. 

But some of these sites might not use professional therapists, so it’s important to ask enough questions to trust in the person you’re talking to. 

 

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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.

How can I find a therapist?

How can I find a therapist? 

This section explains how to find: 

  • Therapy via the Hospital Authority
  • Charity therapists 
  • Therapists at your place of work or education 
  • Private therapists 

Things to ask when arranging an appointment with a therapist 

You may want to ask your therapist (or the person referring you for therapy) about: 

  • their background and qualifications 
  • the type of therapy they practice 
  • if they have a specialism (for example, some therapists specialise in working with particular issues or groups such as younger people, LGBTQ+ people, or survivors of abuse and violence) 
  • their experience of working with the problem you're experiencing 
  • whether there is a waiting list and how long it will take you to get an appointment 
  • how long the therapy will last and what it will be like 
  • the benefits and risks involved 
  • what happens if you cancel or miss a session 
  • their confidentiality policy 
  • if you have a disability and need reasonable adjustments to make the sessions easier for you to attend. 

It's also important to mention any special requirements or preferences you have. For example, if you'd feel most comfortable seeing a therapist of a particular gender, or who speaks your first language, or has a particular specialism.

“For me it took a couple of tries before I found the right therapist that I felt comfortable with.”

Seeking therapy via the public sector

Any therapy provided through the Hospital Authority should be low-cost or free of charge. The common routes to access talking therapies through the public sector are: 

  • Your family doctor. Your family doctor might refer you to a suitable service after speaking to you – that service will then get in touch with you. 
  • The ICCMW. All localities in Hong Kong contain an Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, which is available to all residents in the local area. The staff here can assist people experiencing mental health problems to access the support they need via the public sector.
  • Self-referral. Some areas run services which you can contact directly to refer yourself for a talking therapy. Your family doctor might give you the number of a service you can call.
  • Clinical Psychology services provided by the Social Welfare Department. You can find a list of services offered here.

What if there are long waiting lists? 

Unfortunately it's very common to have to spend time on a waiting list before getting therapy in the public sector. While you're on a waiting list it might help to: 

  • Ask your doctor to give you a contact number to ring to check how long you have to wait. 
  • Explore any alternatives to therapy which might help in the meantime. 

Our page on seeking help gives more suggestions. 

MindHK is campaigning to make sure that everyone has access to talking therapies when they need them.

Charity therapists 

Some community and charity sector organisations may offer free or low-cost talking therapies. For example: 

Some charities also provide telephone listening and emotional support services. These are not counselling or therapy, but can be helpful if you need to talk to someone in between sessions. 

Therapists at your place of work or education 

  • If you're a student – many colleges and universities have a free counselling service. You can usually access this without going through your academic tutors or family doctors. (See our pages on coping with student life for more information) 
  • If you're an employee – your workplace might offer an Employee Assistance Programme which might provide a limited number of free therapy sessions. You can usually access this without going through your Manager, HR department or family doctor. (See our pages on coping with working life for more information) 

Private therapists 

There are many reasons you might consider seeking support from a private therapist, although it's not an option for everyone because it can be expensive. If you decide to explore private therapy, it's a good idea to look for a therapist using the online search function of a reliable website which only lists therapists who are registered with a professional body. For example: 

You can also do a search online to find local therapists who are practising independently. If you do this, be sure to check their credentials before commencing therapy. 

Before committing to paying for therapy it may be helpful to ask: 

  • How much do they charge per session? 
  • Do they offer a free consultation to allow you to decide whether you can work together? 
  • Do they offer reduced rates or sliding scale fees for people on lower incomes? 
  • Do they charge for missed appointments (and if yes, how much notice do you need to give them to avoid being charged)? 

See our page on private sector care for more information on paying for healthcare. 

Online or digital therapy 

You may find websites offering low cost therapy online. This can be helpful if you're uncomfortable talking to someone in person, or if you have difficulty leaving the house or using transport. 

But some of these sites might not use professional therapists, so it's important to ask enough questions to trust in the person you're talking to.