The psychological counselling process in Ankara: from the first session to completion

Why is there so much curiosity about the counselling process?

The most common questions from people searching for a psychologist in Ankara are less about choosing a professional and more about the process itself: What do we talk about in the first session? How many sessions will it take? Will what I say be kept confidential? Can I stop whenever I want? These questions are completely natural, as stepping into an unknown process can be anxiety-provoking for many people.

This guide has been prepared by the Özel Vivere Aile Danışmanlık Merkezi Knowledge Centre to explain the general workings of the counselling process in an impartial and understandable way. The stages described here provide a general framework; every professional and every centre may have its own specific practices.

Knowing how the process works in advance helps you to keep your expectations realistic and begin your sessions more comfortably. It also clarifies what rights you have and what you can ask when receiving a service.

Stage 1: The preliminary meeting and initial contact

The process usually begins with a phone call, a message, or a brief preliminary meeting. At this stage, the centre learns about the general reason for your enquiry, your session preferences (in-person or online), and your availability. The goal isn't a detailed assessment, but rather to identify the most suitable professional and session format for your needs.

In private family counselling centres in Ankara, the preliminary meeting is defined as a separate item in the official fee schedule and typically lasts 15–20 minutes. This brief meeting allows both the client to get to know the centre and the centre to make the most appropriate referral for the client.

Questions you can ask at the preliminary meeting: Which professionals work in which areas? What are the fees? How frequent are the sessions? How is confidentiality ensured? Clear and direct answers to these questions also provide an idea of the centre's transparency.

Stage 2: The initial assessment session

The first session is an exploratory meeting where the professional gets to know you and your reasons for seeking support. The professional will ask questions to understand when your difficulties began, how they affect your daily life, what you have tried before, your support systems, and your expectations.

You do not have to talk about everything in this session. You can leave topics you don't feel ready to discuss for a later time. A good professional will respect your pace and work to create a safe space without pushing you.

At the end of the initial session, the professional usually presents a framework for how the process might proceed. The frequency of sessions, potential goals, and the need for any additional assessment or referral are discussed at this stage.

• You will be asked to describe your reasons for seeking help in your own words.
• Questions will be asked about past experiences and support systems.
• The principles and limits of confidentiality will be explained.
• Your expectations and goals will be discussed.
• The potential structure of the process is evaluated together.

Information, consent, and personal data protection

An ethical counselling process is based on the principle of informed consent. This means the client voluntarily agrees to participate in the process after being informed about its purpose, methods, potential limitations, confidentiality rules, and fee structure.

In Turkey, the processing of personal data is regulated under Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data (KVKK). Information shared during the counselling process may be considered sensitive personal data, and its processing is subject to strict rules. It is a legal requirement for centres to share their privacy notices with clients. You can access our centre's privacy notice on our KVKK page.

Stage 3: Regular sessions and the working phase

Following the initial assessment, regular sessions begin, guided by the established goals. Individual sessions typically last 60 minutes, while family and couples sessions last 90 minutes. The frequency often starts at once a week; as the process progresses, this may change to fortnightly or monthly intervals.

During this phase, the professional and client focus on understanding the difficulties being experienced, noticing patterns of thought and feeling, developing new coping skills, and identifying small steps that can be applied in daily life. Small observation or practice tasks suggested by the professional between sessions can be part of the process.

Progress in regular sessions is not always linear. Some weeks may feel more challenging; this does not mean the process is failing. Change often follows a path with ups and downs.

Principles and limits of confidentiality

The cornerstone of the counselling process is confidentiality. Information shared in sessions is not disclosed to third parties without the client's written permission. Session notes are stored securely and are only accessible to authorised individuals.

There are legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality: situations such as a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, suspicion of child abuse, or a court order are some of these. An ethical professional will clearly explain these exceptions at the beginning of the process.

In work with children and adolescents, confidentiality requires a special balance regarding the scope of information shared with parents. How this balance will be struck should be discussed with the child, adolescent, and parents at the start of the process.

Your rights as a client

Every individual receiving a counselling service has certain fundamental rights. These rights ensure that the process is conducted in a safe, respectful, and ethical manner.

• The right to know the professional's title, training, and methods
• The right to know the fees and payment terms in advance
• The right to be informed about the principles and limits of confidentiality
• The right to receive clear and understandable answers to your questions
• The right to end or pause the process at any time
• The right to request a referral to another professional
• The right to request information about your personal data (under KVKK)

Stage 4: Interim reviews

In a quality process, interim reviews are conducted at regular intervals. In these sessions, you and your counsellor discuss the progress made towards the initial goals, what has changed, what remains challenging, and how the process should continue.

Interim reviews support the client's active participation and provide a regular opportunity to answer the question, 'Is this process helping me?' If necessary, goals are updated, the frequency of sessions is changed, or a different form of support (such as moving from individual to family sessions) is considered.

Stage 5: Ending the process

Ending the counselling process is just as important as beginning it. Ideally, ending is a planned, joint decision between the client and the professional. The process can be concluded when goals have been met, when the client feels sufficiently resilient, or when a different type of support is needed.

In the closing sessions, you will discuss what has changed over the course of the process, what skills have been gained, and what can be done if difficulties arise in the future. Many professionals may suggest holding follow-up sessions at certain intervals after the process ends.

The client has the right to end the process at any stage. Discussing this decision openly with your professional allows for a healthier closure for both you and the process.

Session fees and budget planning

In a process consisting of regular sessions, knowing the fees in advance is important for budget planning. In private family counselling centres in Ankara, fees must fall between the minimum and maximum rates determined annually by the governorate's fee assessment commission.

The table below shows the official fee ranges for preliminary, individual, family, and couples sessions. All fees include VAT. For the full fee schedule and frequently asked questions, you can review the fees page.

Practical tips for preparing for the process

You can make some small preparations to get the most out of your sessions. These suggestions are not compulsory; they are simply intended to make the process easier.

• Before the first session, jot down any questions you have.
• Allow yourself a short period of rest after each session.
• Make a note of any feelings or thoughts you notice between sessions.
• Share your expectations and anxieties openly with your professional.
• Try to be patient and compassionate with yourself throughout the process.

Getting more information about the process

In this guide, we have tried to outline the general framework of the counselling process. As every individual's needs are different, talking to a professional about your specific questions is always the best approach.

Özel Vivere Aile Danışmanlık Merkezi is a centre in Kavaklıdere offering counselling within the framework of the Ministry of Family and Social Services regulations; those who wish to learn more about the process can review our team of professionals.

You can send your questions via our contact page. Requesting information does not commit you to any process.