FAQ
Learn more about us before your next visitGeneral FAQs
What is a counselling/therapy session
Counselling is often described as a focused conversation intended to address an individual’s concern/s. During your session, you’ll get to talk through the specific concerns that led you think about seeking help or support. When you meet with a Dolly and Associates counsellor, you’ll find yourself in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment with a professional who is interested and competent in helping you formulate a plan and develop strategies for handling your concerns.
What can I expect from an initial therapy session?
During the first session your therapist will ask questions regarding what brings you to counseling and what you hope to gain from your visits. Your therapist will be seeking to assess the nature and intensity of your concern; your current motivation to address the problem and make changes and your support system. This assessment will help determine a plan for moving forward.
Do you offer family and group services?
Yes! We welcome families and work with them to help improve their interpersonal relationships and their functionality.
Is my therapy session confidential
The confidentiality of all communications between a client and a counsellor/therapist is protected. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there some exceptions to this rule. Exceptions are:
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- If a client is a risk to themselves, that is they intend to harm themselves. The therapist will seek the cooperation of the client in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, other measures may be taken to ensure their safety.
- If a client intends to harm others. In this case the therapist must notify the police.
- Suspected child abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities.
What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
The number one benefit that our clients have reported is being able to talk with someone who understands and does not judge you. Clients also report that they get a fresh perspective and support in finding solutions to their concerns and they develop skills that allow them to enable them to address future situations.
How do I know whether counselling is for me?
We all experience periods of stress, conflict and sadness. So it might be difficult to know if seeing a professional will be helpful. Asking yourself a few questions will help you to determine your need:
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- Do you worry constantly?
- Do you often feel overwhelmed?
- Do you find you can’t resolve conflicts with your spouse or partner?
- Are you having trouble communicating with your child?
- Are you using a substance to cope?
- Do you repeatedly experience the same type of problem with more than one person?
- Have friends or family members commented on changes in your behavior or moods?
- Are you easily irritated or upset?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might benefit from speaking with a counselor.
Who are the counsellors?
Dolly and Associates counsellors are experienced, well trained clinicians who can assist you with a wide variety of problems. They have degrees in psychology, social work and counselling. You can meet with a Dolly and Associates counsellor at our branch offices near your home or work. Meet Our Team
How soon can I been seen by a Dolly and Associates counselor?
When you call our offices you can have an appointment scheduled within 24 hours. Regular appointments usually can be arranged within 3 to 5 days of your first call to Dolly and Associates. In crisis situations, you’ll be able to speak by phone with a counselor within an hour of your call. Crisis appointments can usually be arranged within one business day of your first call.
How do I schedule an appointment
You simply call our head office at 868 627 1845 our trained receptionist will schedule a convenient appointment for you. Alternatively, you can request an appointment online by clicking on the button below. Either way, we are here to help and support you.
Can I choose location for session?
Yes. Our primary office is located in Woodbrook, Port Of Spain and most of our counselors offer their professional services through this office. However, if this does not work for you, then we can accommodate you at our sub-offices across our twin-island Republic. Click here for addresses of all our locations.
How it Works
Call us at 868 627 1845 (or you can book online) and tell us what you are having difficulty with.
We provide availability with therapists specifically suited to your needs and we book the appointment for you.
Meet the practitioner and begin the road to self-improvement. Have any concerns? Let us know so we can assist.
General EAP FAQs
Employee FAQ
What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
The EAP is a confidential counseling, assessment and referral programme designed to help you manage work and life problems. Your EAP programme is an important part of your benefit package that is fully paid by your employer. It is designed to address your emotional and mental well being, as well as to help you to manage work/life problems and achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Click here to learn more about our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Who can use the EAP?
EAP services are available to both you and to any members of your immediate family. Please call us if you have any questions about who in your family is eligible for services.
How do I access EAP services?
There are several convenient ways to access our services:
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- By phone: Call 868 627 1845 during standard business hours. Click here for our business hours
- Emergencies or crises: If you need immediate assistance after hours, our hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- By e-mail: If it is not an emergency, you can contact us by e-mail and get a response the next business day. Click here to email us.
- Online: Employees can also submit an online request for counselling services here.
- Client Portal: Access a variety of resources and tools by logging on to our password-protected confidential EAP website. Click here to login to Portal
What does ||short-term|| counseling mean?
Dolly and Associates counsellors provide short-term counseling. This means that, in a limited number of counselling sessions, you and your counsellor will agree on a realistic goal and then work together to accomplish that goal.
Will my employer know if I use your services?
Your EAP is totally confidential and your employer won’t know that you are using our services. None of your information – including your name – will be shared with anyone without your written permission.
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- In accordance with applicable laws, exceptions must be made for certain reports of child abuse or significant threats to your safety or the safety of others.
What is the cost for using the EAP?
There is no cost to you for using our professional services. The programme has been prepaid by your employer as a benefit to you and to your eligible family members.
Can I make an appointment to meet with a counsellor?
Absolutely. Simply call our office during normal business hours and schedule an appointment that is convenient. Your assigned counsellor is there to support and help you.
What can I expect in a session? How long does it last?
You can expect a counsellor who and will seek to understand you and your concerns and works with you to address what’s troubling you. Your counsellor is not judging you. He/she wants to understand what is happening to you – your thoughts, feelings and the circumstances – and to determine how he/she can help and support you.
A session typically lasts 50- 60 minutes.
Employer FAQ
What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
The EAP is a confidential counseling, assessment and referral programme designed to help you manage work and life problems. Your EAP programme is an important part of your benefit package that is fully paid by your employer. It is designed to address your emotional and mental well being, as well as to help you to manage work/life problems and achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Click here to learn more about our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
What services does Dolly and Associates offer?
In addition to counselling services for employees and their dependents, Dolly and Associates offers practical information and assistance for managing life events, including:
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- Parenting and Childcare Referrals
- Consultations regarding legal challenges eg.divorce and custody
- Financial Coaching
- Psychiatric referrals
- Education and Wellness programmes
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- We offer a range of Psycho-educational programmes that provide information and tools to help you address normal everyday challenges in living and work before they become problematic eg Balancing Work and Family; Stress management; Building Resiliency and more.
For detailed description of our service offerings, please go to our Employee Assistance Program page.
Do you offer family and group services?
Yes! We welcome families and work with them to help improve their interpersonal relationships and their functionality.
My company is small - what size and type of companies do you work with?
Our current clients range from a 20-employee company to multi-national companies. We work with virtually every type of industry, including both public and private companies; profit and not-for profit organizations; union and non-union companies. No matter the size of your company, we can work with you to develop a programme that makes sense for you.
What is the cost of your services?
The cost for our programme is based on several variables. We’d be more than happy to discuss this with you. Please call 868 627 1845 to speak with our EAP Coordinator. You can also complete and submit the the Request for EAP Proposal Form so we can assist you. Please also use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of the cost of EAP services and potential return on investment (ROI) for your organization.
How do I access the services?
There are several convenient ways to access our services:
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- By phone: Call 868 627 1845 during standard business hours. Click here for our business hours
- Emergencies or crises: If you need immediate assistance after hours, our hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- By e-mail: If it is not an emergency, you can contact us by e-mail and get a response the next business day. Click here to email us.
- Online: Employees can also submit an online request for counselling services here.
- Client Portal: Access a variety of resources and tools by logging on to our password-protected confidential EAP website. Click here to login to Portal
Are the services confidential?
Yes. Dolly and Associates’ EAP is a confidential and voluntary programme. We will not disclose information regarding a person’s involvement in the EAP programme without their written consent, unless permitted or required by law.
How will my employees know about your services?
Dolly and Associates has found that providing employee orientations to give information about the service, gives a face to the programme and allows us to answer any questions that employees might have. We also provide training for managers and supervisors in how and when it might be appropriate to refer a troubled employee to the service. In addition we provide posters and newsletters on the services. Additionally, we are pleased to launch our customized EAP portal that provides a great deal of useful information for employees.
How do I know if my employees are using EAP services?
While our services are totally confidential on an individual basis, we can provide a complete set of aggregate service reports to employers. For example, our reports could tell you how many employees used our services in a given time frame and which type of services were used.
Who can use the EAP?
EAP services are typically available to employees and to members of their immediate family.