Using our service and what to expect
Therapy is an ‘active’ process and here we explain what you can expect from us and what we need from you in return.
About your therapy
We understand that some people may feel nervous when seeking therapy and we have worked extremely hard to make sure that any visit to our therapy suites, will be a positive experience that you will be happy to engage with.
One of our therapists will conduct an initial assessment consisting of one or two 50-60 minutes sessions to determine if our service is right for your treatment goals. If we can’t meet your needs, we will refer you to a more suitable service.
After your assessment, your therapist will give you an idea of the recommended treatment and what is potentially involved. In the unlikely event that you feel your therapist is not a ‘good fit’ for you, we will try to allocate you to another therapist within our service.
Where we can provide you with therapy, we will offer a series of weekly sessions. The number of sessions we can provide is limited and entirely dependent upon the circumstances of every individual. Your sessions will typically take place on the same day and time each week – although we cannot guarantee this frequency.
You can choose to terminate your therapy at any time; however, it is recommended that you discuss this in advance with your therapist.
Isle Listen is a charitable initiative and our therapeutic service is free of charge at the point of use.
Help support usExpectations from therapy
There are various types of therapy, and every therapist will offer their unique non-judgemental approach.
The work depends on the personality of the client and therapist, as well as the presenting issue that led you to enter therapy. Your therapist will tell you more about their specific way of working in your first session and what is expected from you.
In general, therapy is an ‘active’ process that requires your full commitment both during and in-between your therapy sessions. The best results occur when you:
- Attend all your appointments.
- Talk honestly about what is going on in your life and in your mind.
- Ask questions of your therapist.
- Provide your therapist with feedback on how you’re doing.
- Complete any ‘homework’ you agree to do.
Code of Ethics
All our therapists have completed, or are working towards completion of, relevant professional training and qualifications. They are either registered and accredited with a recognised professional body or are working towards this. All therapists work in accordance with the ethical framework of their professional body.
Data Protection, confidentiality, and exemptions
Isle Listen is a registered trading name of our charity, MCH Psychological Services, which complies with and upholds the principles of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). MCH Psychological Services is also registered with the Isle of Man Information Commissioner.
We respect your confidentiality and wherever possible, your information will remain confidential and within our organisation.
Standard professional procedure requires that summary notes be made by your therapist following each session. These notes are usually very brief and will be stored on our secure database. All therapists also discuss aspects of their client work with their clinical supervisor; this is a confidential professional relationship.
Unless you have given us permission or asked us to share information, we will aim to preserve confidentiality. However, if it is assessed that there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, and to protect safety, it may be necessary to alert other agencies, such as Safeguarding, Social Services, the Police, your GP, school or family.
Wherever possible, we would aim to discuss any disclosure to third party agencies with you beforehand, however we cannot guarantee this will be possible.
Please be aware that we routinely write to your GP at the start, and end, of treatment to advise them that you are engaging with our service. If you do not wish us to notify your GP, please let us know as soon as possible.
As an evidence-based service, we produce anonymous summary statistics about various aspects of our service which we do make publicly available.
Cancellations and our non-attendance (DNA) policy
As a charity, our service is free of charge and each year, we need to fundraise to enable us to continue providing our service. It costs our charity approximately £135 to provide one hours’ therapy.
If you are unable to attend a planned appointment, we would appreciate as much notice as possible (preferably more than 2 working days), so that we can offer your appointment to someone else who might be on our waiting list.
Cancelling or rearranging your appointment
Please telephone 679118 or email referrals@islelisten.im.
We are open Monday to Friday between 9.00am – 5.00pm.
If our office is closed, you can leave a message on our answer machine and please remember to state clearly who you are, who your appointment is with and your contact telephone number.
Appointments which are cancelled on the day, will be classed as a ‘did not attend’ appointment (DNA). If you do not attend or give us notice about cancelling two appointments in a row, we may be unable to continue your treatment and may write to you to advise that your case has been closed. If you have any further appointments booked, these will be cancelled, but we will discuss this with you first.
Fees
Isle Listen is a charitable initiative and as such, the service you will be using is free of charge at the point of use. However, as a charitable organisation, any donation would be greatly appreciated. You might like to consider making a regular donation when you attend sessions. Please ask any of our team if you would like to donate or go online to our website – www.islelisten.im/donate.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with the support you receive from your therapist or someone within the organisation, we encourage you whenever possible, to talk through your concerns with them. If this is not possible or they are unresolved, please raise your concerns in writing to our Complaints Manager by emailing complaints@islelisten.im or telephoning 01624 679118, or write to our Complaints Manager, Isle Listen, Mill Court, Hope Street, Castletown, Isle of Man. IM9 1AN.
Click here for more details about our complaints handling procedure.
Get involved!
As a charitable initiative, we couldn’t continue to do what we do without the generous support of our Island community! So, if you’re passionate about the importance of mental health and would like to help us continue our vital work, please get involved!