Frequently Asked Questions

Psychiatrists are physicians who have completed medical school and received specialized training in mental health. While some do psychotherapy, the majority of them these days prescribe medications.

Psychologists are individuals who may possess a master's or doctorate in psychology and usually conduct psychotherapy and sometimes provide psychological testing. Psychologists do not prescribe medications.

No two therapists are the same. Asking the right questions will help you choose the best therapist for you. Questions you should consider before making an appointment with a therapist:

• What is your academic background and what has your training been to prepare you to practice as a therapist?
• What specialized training and/or experience have you had in working with the issue I am dealing with?
• What professional associations do you belong to?
• What are your fees? How will my insurance claim be handled?
• What type of therapy do you do? (Does the therapist do mostly talk therapy or include opportunities for role-playing, visualizing, hypnosis, artwork, “bodywork”)
• What are your office protocols? (booking appointments, payment for missed appointments, emergencies, building access after hours, etc.)

Sessions typically last between 45 to 53 minutes, with some sessions extending to 60 minutes if a specialized trauma treatment protocol is being used.

During your first session, you will have an opportunity to go through the intake paperwork and to ask any questions you may have about the clinic and the provider. This is also the time to share about yourself and what you’re looking for in therapy.

This is a very common question, and when most therapists respond with “it depends,” clients are often frustrated. But it does depend! Good therapists have no desire to leave you returning without improvement, not only because there are other clients waiting to receive services, but also because we genuinely want to see our clients feel better.

As such, the healing process and its duration are multi-variable and multifaceted matters that draw from many aspects, such as: the type of pain, how long it has been present, why it is there, who was involved in creating this pain, whether there is a genetic factor, whether the causative elements are still present, how comfortable the client feels about therapy, how comfortable the client feels with the therapist, whether the client has support outside of sessions, and more.

If you are blessed with caring, supportive family members and friends, by all means, share your feelings, goals, and dreams with those people. They are a big part of your support network, and their insights and encouragement can be very helpful. However, people who already know you might not always be completely objective when listening to you.

For example, you may want to change your career, and you confess this dream to your wife. She may want to support you 100% and try her very best to do so, but she may also be dealing with emotions of her own—such as anxiety about how a career shift will change your lives, not to mention your income. These emotions could make it difficult for her to listen and support you objectively.

Therapy is a valuable tool that can help you solve problems, set and achieve goals, improve your communication skills, or teach you new ways to track your emotions and keep your stress levels in check. It can help you build the life, career, and relationships that you want. Does everybody need it? No. But if you are curious about working with a therapist, that curiosity is worth pursuing. Consider setting up one or two sessions, keeping an open mind, and seeing how things unfold. You have very little to lose and, potentially, a lot of clarity, self-understanding, and long-lasting happiness to gain.

Yes, by law, therapists are bound to protect your confidentiality. The exceptions to this are related to child or elder abuse, a threat to harm another person, or if you are in danger of self-harm. If you want to use a third-party payer to pay for therapy, it will be necessary to provide the information required by your insurance company, which will likely include a diagnosis. If this is the case, the therapist will discuss with you what is disclosed to an insurer.

Give Us A Call (+968 2460 0750) or Schedule an Appointment Today

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, in danger of hurting yourself or others, feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or in crisis, it’s very important that you get immediate help. Depending on the emergency, you may want to consider the following options:

• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call your local emergency number (e.g., 9999).
• Royal Hospital Emergency Room (Athaiba): +968 2459 9457
• PDO Ambulance number (for incidents happening on PDO property): +968 2467 7444
• KIMS Oman Emergency Room (Wattayah/Ruwi): +968 2476 0123
• Badr Al Samaa Emergency Services:
  • Sur: +968 2554 6112
  • Al Khoud: +968 2454 6099
  • Al Khuwair: +968 2448 8323
  • Ruwi: +968 2479 9760
• Sultan Qaboos Hospital: +968 2414 7777

Please ensure that the contact information provided is accurate and up-to-date before using it in any emergency situation.