Frequently Asked Questions

​How can I make an appointment?

​Please fill out the appointment form online or email us. We will contact you within two business days. The appointment will be set once the date and time have been confirmed by the counselor and the client.  

How soon can I make my first appointment?

Please contact us, as it depends on the counselor’s schedule and the issue(s) you would like to discuss.

Do you offer counseling other than Japanese?

Currently, English counseling is offered at all times besides Japanese.

I see a psychiatrist regularly. What do I need to do in order to see a counselor?

If you are currently seeing a psychiatrist, please obtain a permission from your doctor regarding seeing a counselor at our center.

I am currently seeing a different counselor. Can I also see a counselor at this center?

Counseling approaches differ from counselor to counselor. Seeing a counselor at our center while simultaneously receiving counseling at another organization may hinder your current counseling process at the other organization. First, please consult with your current counselor or doctor or, if you have a problem that is not being solved with your current counselor, please discuss it at our intake session (first session). In addition, it is common to receive individual counseling while receiving couple or family counseling. Please feel free to discuss this option with your counselor.

I am a minor. Can I receive counseling services?

Minors can see a counselor, too.  However, the parent or legal guardian’s signature and contact information are required in the consent form for receiving counseling. If you have any questions or concerns, please list them in the appointment form or feel free to email us at info@skycounselingtokyo.com.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you would like to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please email info@skycounselingtokyo.com by 5:00 pm on the business day before your appointment. If the appointment is on a Monday, please contact us before 5:00 pm on the previous business day. In the event of cancellation without prior notice or failure to show to a scheduled appointment, we charge 100% of the original fee. (We will not charge you in the case of disaster or sudden illness.)

What will the first intake session be like?

We will listen to your concerns and  together consider the background or underlying circumstances from which the issue(s) may have evolved. We also would like to explore your goals with you such as how you would like to deal with the issue(s) or how you want to change. We will also inform you about things to take note of when you are seeing a counselor. There may be cases where the intake counselor and your counselor are different. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask your counselor.

What kind of approaches do you use?  

​The counseling approach will differ according to the counselor and the issue(s) you would like to work on. For example, it can be anywhere from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, family therapy, gestalt therapy, short-term therapy, narrative therapy, etc. In addition to the above, we offer various types of family therapy. For couples therapy, we have a counselor that uses Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) developed by Sue Johnson and a counselor who uses the Gottman Approach developed by Dr. Gottman.

How often will I be seeing the counselor? For how long?

The number and frequency of sessions will be decided between you and your counselor at the intake session taking into consideration your mental health and your economic situation. If your circumstances change, please feel free to talk to your counselor so that they can work with you so you can continue participating in your sessions. If you are concerned about the number of sessions before a counselor is assigned to you, please feel free to contact info@skycounselingtokyo.com.

Will I see the same counselor for each session?

One of the most important aspects of counseling is to continue to meet with the same counselor, build a relationship of trust, and use that relationship as a foundation to work through your issue(s) or concerns.
 

Can I get a diagnosis? Can you prescribe medication?

Since our center is not a medical institution, under Japanese law we are not allowed to provide diagnosis or prescribe medication For diagnosis or medication, we encourage you to contact a medical institution. We are not affiliated with particular medical providers; however, if you are looking for an English-speaking psychiatrist, please  e-mail us at info@skycounselingtokyo.com .
 

Can you provide a medical certificate of diagnosis?

​
We cannot provide a medical certificate of diagnosis because we are not a medical institution.

What is the payment procedure?

Will you provide a proof of visit and/or receipt?

We can provide you with a proof of services which indicates the date of your visit and the fee paid for your counseling session. In the case of family or couples counseling, we require consent from all members involved in the session in order for us to issue the document. We can also provide a receipt. Should you wish to receive a receipt, please let us know or make a note requesting a receipt in the appointment form.

Can I choose my counselor?

You can choose a counselor from our profile or we can suggest a counselor who we believe is the best fit for you to work on your particular issue(s).

What do I do if I want a different counselor?

​There are cases where talking with the counselor about your dissatisfaction with the counselor may lead to findings that bring about change. However, we believe that compatibility with a counselor can play a certain role in feeling dissatisfied with that counselor. In such cases, please don’t hesitate to speak up about it. We recommend that you first bring  it up directly with your counselor if you want a different counselor; however, if you feel uncomfortable doing so, please contact info@skycounselingtokyo.com and we will discuss the possibility of referring you to an alternative counselor.