Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does neuro-affirmative counselling mean?
Neuro-affirmative counselling means difference is not treated as something to fix. Counselling focuses on understanding your nervous system, experiences, and needs in context. Labels do not define you - every therapeutic relationship is built on trust, safety, and respect.
2. How do I know if counselling is right for me?
If the idea of seeking support has crossed your mind, it may be helpful to explore it. Counselling can support you with:
Expressing your needs
Persistent sadness or overwhelm
Difficulty focusing
Challenges in relationships
Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, gain clarity, and develop coping strategies.
3. What happens in counselling?
The consultation call is an essential first step, for us to get to know each other. This is a collaborative conversation where you'll have the opportunity to share what brings you to counselling and discuss any needs or goals you may have for the process. I will also share more information about my approach and the services Arula Counselling offers, giving you a clearer understanding of how I can support you. If, by the end of this call, both you and I feel it's the right fit, we can then agree on a suitable time to begin our work together.
Arula Counselling integrates creative, psychodynamic, mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) approaches with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care.
4. What happens before starting sessions?
The consultation call is a collaborative first step. You can:
Share why you’re seeking counselling
Discuss goals or needs
Learn about my approach and services
If it feels like a good fit, we can schedule sessions. After this, you’ll receive:
Referral form — collects contact info and relevant background (confidential)
Contract — outlines the counselling process and your rights
Invoice — sessions are billed in blocks of four, cancellations with 72 hours’ notice can be rescheduled
5. How long does counselling last?
Counselling is different for everyone. Progress is reviewed collaboratively. You can pause or stop sessions at any time.
6. Is my information confidential?
Yes. Session notes are confidential and anonymised. Exceptions: risk of harm to yourself or others, or when legally required.
7. Do I need a diagnosis to work with you?
No. Many people I work with are self-identified or exploring neurodivergence. A formal diagnosis is not required.
8. Does health insurance cover counselling?
Sessions are paid privately and are not covered by public health insurance. The benefits of self-paying services are immediate service access and no beauracratic paperwork. As a privately paying client, your mental health records will remain confidential and will not be communicated to your health insurance company.
9. How much does counselling cost?
50-minute sessions (online or in-person): €95
Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI) sessions: 60 minutes, usually bi-weekly
10. What if I’ve had a negative experience with counselling before?
You don’t need to have all the answers to start. Curiosity is enough. We can move slowly, discuss what hasn’t felt safe before, and check in regularly to ensure sessions feel supportive.