How sessions work

It can feel intimidating to go to a first appointment with a coach or therapist - I’ve been there too!

The intent of this page is to share some information about what you can expect, both for the first session, and ongoing sessions, including ways of working, costs and reimbursement.

FIRST SESSION

• Objective: The focus of this first session will be on getting to know each other and to help you decide whether you would like to begin working together on an ongoing basis.

• Risk-free: This first session is free if you decide that it isn’t a fit, for whatever reason this may be. This enables you to try risk-free :)

• Location: The session will either be in person at my practice at Centre Aliotis in Geneva (pictured) or my office within Procter & Gamble for employees of the firm, or virtually via Teams.

• Session content: I will begin by asking you to share a bit about you, and the reasons why you choose to book this initial session. Then, I will explain more about how I work, the techniques I use, my commitments to you as a professional, and what I will expect from you as an ongoing client. For the rest of the session, we’ll start tackling a topic of your choice, and you’ll be able to experience how I work, including some of the techniques that I use, such as breathing and visualisation exercises.

• Intake form: After the first session, if you decide to work together, I will ask you to fill in a form where you rate your current wellbeing across different metrics and list your objectives for our journey together. This will constitute a roadmap that we will regularly refer to throughout our time together.

• Scope of expertise: I am trained as a coach and as a therapist in sophrology. I cannot diagnose or treat physical and mental illnesses, and will refer you for additional help from a medical professional if your current condition goes beyond my scope of expertise.

ONGOING SESSIONS

• My commitments to clients:

  1. My objective is to for you to become autonomous as quickly as possible, with my full focus on empowering you and equipping you with the tools you need to thrive independently,

  2. Our work will be objective-based, following the objectives shared in the intake form, as well as any additional ones that you wish to add along the way.

  3. I commit to giving you my full attention and dedication in every session, so that you leave each session feeling that you have progressed and gained new insights.

  4. Full confidentiality in terms of both your identity and anything discussed over the course of our therapeutic/coaching relationship

• Your commitments as a client

  1. Coming to the sessions.

  2. Completing the homework we've agreed upon in between sessions.

  3. Giving feedback (e.g. if you don't like an exercise, if there's anything you don't understand, etc). This is fundamental, as these sessions are your space to reflect and grow, and should be tailored to your needs :)

• Cost: Ongoing sessions last 55 minutes, and cost 150 CHF per session. As I am recognised by ASCA, you may be able to obtain reimbursement for the sessions via your complementary insurances. I recommend that you check with your insurance, as the coverage will vary depending on your contract.

• Cancelation policy: Note that sessions cancelled less than 24 hours in advance will be charged.

• Frequency: Most clients see me on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, but I also have clients that I see on a monthly basis instead. An option that I offer clients is to book a reocurring slot of their convenience, such as every Tuesday at 3pm, that they can always change at least 24h in advance.

• Location: Location will be the same as the first session, either in person in Geneva or virtually. Some clients choose to have a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, depending on their other commitments.

• Duration: Clients often ask how many sessions I typically do until a client “graduates” and we finish working together. This will depend greatly on the client’s initial level of wellbeing and the number of objectives for our work together. The average duration will be between 6 and 15 sessions, with longer durations for more complex cases being 25-30 sessions.

• Midway check-in: After we’ve made some initial progress, we will do a midway check-in, through a form where you will rate your wellbeing, the progress you’ve made to date, share feedback about my support to you, and reflect on what objectives you still wish to achieve. This will enable an open conversation between us on the journey to date, and how to best continue supporting your growth.

• Graduation: When your objectives have been reached and you feel ready to continue onwards independently, it will time for your graduation! You will fill in another form, rating your wellbeing again, so that you can assess your progress since the beginning, and reflecting on your learnings and tools that you will bring forward with you. We will dedicate a session to closing off our work together, and I will share a personalised graduation letter with you, where I capture my impressions of your journey, and wish you the best.