01. Starting Therapy
1. How do I know if I need therapy?
You don’t need to be in crisis or have a diagnosed mental health condition to start therapy. Therapy can be useful when something is affecting how you think, feel, relate to others, or go about your everyday life—and you want support in understanding or changing it.
2. How do I get started with FOLKS?
Just fill out the form on our website. Once we receive it, our team will reach out personally to understand what you’re looking for, share suitable therapist options, and guide you through the next steps.
3. How do you match me with a therapist?
We ask about your needs, concerns, preferences and what you’re looking for from therapy. Our team then helps you find a therapist whose approach, experience and way of working are likely to fit you.
4. What if I don't know what kind of therapist I need?
That’s completely okay. You don’t need to figure that out before reaching out. Our team will help you understand what kind of support may be appropriate and guide you towards suitable therapist options.
5. Is there an age requirement for therapy?
If you’re 18 or above, you can start therapy directly. For anyone under 18, parental or guardian consent is required before sessions begin.
02. Understanding Therapy
6. What happens in the first therapy session?
Your first session is usually about getting to know each other, understanding what brought you to therapy, and discussing what you’d like support with. You don't need to prepare a perfect explanation or know exactly what to say.
7. How often should I go to therapy?
There is no single schedule that works for everyone. Your therapist will discuss a frequency based on your needs, goals and circumstances, and this can change as therapy progresses.
8. How long does therapy take to work?
There is no fixed timeline for therapy. It depends on what you’re working through, your goals, the therapeutic approach, and how regularly you engage with the process. Your therapist can help you evaluate your progress over time.
9. Is therapy online or offline?
All FOLKS therapy sessions currently take place online through secure video calls. Once you’re matched with a therapist, our team will share the session details and link with you directly.
10. Is online therapy effective?
Online therapy can be an effective way to access psychological support and can make therapy more convenient and accessible. Whether it is the right format for you depends on your needs, circumstances and the kind of support you require.
03. Finding the Right Therapist
11. How do I know if my therapist is the right fit for me?
A good therapeutic relationship should allow you to feel comfortable enough to be honest, understood and challenged appropriately. It can take a few sessions to get a sense of the fit, and it’s okay to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
12. What if I don't feel comfortable with my therapist?
That’s completely okay. Therapy works best when the relationship feels right. If you feel that your therapist isn’t a good fit, let us know and we’ll help you explore another option.
13. Can I change my therapist?
Yes. If your therapist doesn’t feel like the right match, you can reach out to our team. We’ll help you understand what you’re looking for and explore another therapist who may be a better fit.
04. Therapy for Teens
14. Do you offer therapy for children and teenagers?
Yes. We offer therapy for children and adolescents through licensed professionals who specialise in working with young people. Anyone under 18 will need consent from a parent or guardian before beginning therapy.
15. Can my teenager start therapy independently?
Teens aged 16 or above can request therapy, but parental or guardian consent is still required before sessions begin.
16. What if my child has a serious mental health, developmental or neurological condition?
Our therapists can help guide you on appropriate next steps. In some situations, particularly where a condition requires specialised or ongoing in-person care, another form of support may be more appropriate.
05. Payments & Sessions
17. How do I make a payment?
We do not collect therapy payments directly through our website. Once our team connects with you and your therapist is confirmed, payment details and the process will be shared with you directly.
18. Can I reschedule or cancel a therapy session?
Yes. You can coordinate cancellations or rescheduling directly with your therapist or our team. We appreciate at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.
06. Privacy, Confidentiality & Safety
19. Is therapy confidential?
What you discuss in therapy is treated as confidential, subject to the professional and legal limits that apply to your therapist and the situation. Your therapist can explain these boundaries during your sessions.
20. What information does FOLKS collect?
We collect information that is necessary to help us understand your requirements, communicate with you and connect you with a suitable therapist. This may include your name, contact details and preferences. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
21. How does FOLKS use my information?
Your information is used to communicate with you, understand your requirements and help connect you with a therapist. We do not sell your personal information. Please see our Privacy Policy for more details about how your information is handled.
22. Can I contact FOLKS during an emergency?
FOLKS is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or requires urgent support, please contact your local emergency service, crisis helpline or visit the nearest hospital.
