Your First Visit (How to Prepare)

It is common for people to experience a range of emotions about therapy. You may feel both eager to begin, and nervous about beginning the process. We encourage you to not let any uncomfortable feelings keep you from beginning what you know will be in your long-term best interest. If you have questions and require answers before this appointment, please call or email us so that we can discuss these As with most situations in life, you will likely find that as you forge ahead your worries will quickly lessen. Our relationship with you is a partnership, and our pledge to you is to handle all communications and interactions between us with confidentiality, respect, and sensitivity. We are committed to providing you with safe, compassionate, and highly skilled care throughout this journey.

What to bring to the first session:

• If the concerns are about your child, we require that the guardian(s) come to the initial appointment so that we can get as much background information as possible, without adding any stress to the young person.
• If you are the adult being treated, you are welcome to bring your spouse, partner or friend with you, if you think this would be helpful or more comfortable for you.
• Where possible, please bring any previous assessments, evaluations, medical reports, medication, etc., so that your therapist has as much available information as possible

For more about the first session, please choose your service from the list below.

• Psychotherapy
• Psychiatry
• Couples Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech & Language Therapy

Session duration, times, and frequency will be determined based on the individual needs of the client. Generally, sessions will last for 50 minutes. Typically, sessions are held once a week. More frequent meetings may be arranged or recommended to facilitate more intensive work. All phone conversations, emails, or reports that require more than 15 minutes are deemed to constitute a therapy session and will be billed at the standard applicable hourly rate (pro-rated, as necessary, for the actual amount of time spent).

Treatment frequency and duration will vary from individual to individual and the specific problem(s) identified. An estimate of treatment duration can be provided, but clients should keep in mind that it is only an estimate. Treatment duration will vary depending on what clients hope to accomplish.

Shorter-term treatments routinely focus on symptom relief and a return to functioning. Wider benefits and sustained improvement with your long-standing difficulties may need longer term interventions as will more exploratory and depth work.

The clinician, in conjunction with the client, will decide when to terminate therapy based on the client’s needs. Clinicians can terminate client care if they judge that they are unable to assist a client effectively for any of the following reasons:
• The client is no longer benefiting from therapy
• The client can no longer afford the agreed-upon fees for services.

In such cases, alternative referrals will be provided.

As a valued client of The LightHouse Arabia, you will receive:

• Preferential booking for other services at The LightHouse Arabia, such as seminars and workshops.
• Priority placement at the top of our appointment list if you stop and then resume services with one of our clinicians
• Free 60-minute talk delivered by one of our clinicians on a topic of interest to your community group or workplace (AED 3,750 value)