My name is Nina. I am a native English-speaking accredited Gestalt counsellor with current insurance to practice with clients based in Sweden and the rest of the EU. I have worked in a therapeutic setting since 2010, and within mental health and wellbeing prior to that.
I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and work within their Code of Ethics. For more information about my training or experience, please check out my training and about me pages. My registered VAT (MOMS) number in Sweden is SE770116138701.
What is Gestalt counselling?
In Sweden, therapy is offered via two means – either via a psychologist or a psychotherapist who works for the Swedish National Health and Welfare Authority (Socialstyrelsen); or privately via a samtalsterapeut or counsellor/therapist. For professionals working within the Socialstyrelsen, the methods used may be limited to certain approaches such as CBT, which may not feel like a good match to some clients.
I offer private therapy, as a samtalsterapeut, which is a professional form of help for those who are finding things difficult for whatever reason. It can help you to better understand what isn’t working very well in your life; and to decide what and how you want to change.
Gestalt counselling focuses on how you feel, think or do things in the present moment. It holds the view that people are linked to and influenced by their environments, and that all people strive towards growth and balance in their lives. In my practice I may use a range of verbal and non-verbal techniques. This might include talking, writing, drawing, visualisations or movement. We will work together in a way that suits you best and for however long you feel you need my support.
It is available to you regardless of who you are or where you come from. I will provide a confidential, safe and accepting space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings or concerns.
What does it involve?
For all types of counselling, we would usually work together weekly. I do not usually work during Swedish school holidays and would clarify with you in advance any dates I am not available. If you have additional dates you cannot do, I would ask you to let me know as you can.
I offer face-to-face counselling (indoors and outdoors), as well as telephone and online counselling, including telephone/audio, video, instant messaging and email.
Confidentiality
Please read my privacy policy. This tells you how the information you share with me is kept confidential and secure. You can access it by clicking this link or you can ask me to email you a copy by contacting me at [email protected].
In an emergency
Online counselling may not be sufficient support if you feel you are in crisis. Signs of crisis may be feelings of wanting to commit suicide, or to harm yourself or another.
In this case, please consider contacting your local accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital, and ask to speak to someone from the crisis team. As part of our contract, I will ask for your permission to contact your doctor. This would be in the event that during a counselling session you were in need of emergency support, either physical or mental.
Conditions of counselling
Counsellor responsibilities
- To be available at the agreed time, and to start and end on time
- To offer a quiet, appropriate and undisturbed space; and to maintain safe, professional boundaries
- To encourage your autonomy and independence
- To regard all contact and information as confidential unless I have concerns about your or someone else’s safety (as outlined in our agreement)
- To work within the BACP Ethical Framework, including regular supervision
- To review the therapeutic work and our relationship regularly
- In the unlikely event I cancel, to offer an alternative appointment ASAP
- If you are working with me online and notify me that you have left the UK and wish to continue counselling, I will check whether my insurance covers me for the country you are in
Client responsibilities
- To attend on time
- To give 48 hours’ notice minimum if cancelling/changing an appointment (or the full fee becomes payable)
- To pay for each session in full within 24 hours
- To limit communication with me (outside our agreed counselling sessions) to making, changing or cancelling an appointment, unless by prior arrangement
- To give permission to contact your doctor if I have serious concerns about you or others
- To discuss with me when you feel you are ready to end therapy
- To let me know if you are in or are considering entering another therapeutic relationship
- If you leave Sweden and wish to continue counselling, you notify me immediately so I can check whether my insurance covers me for the country you are in
- Finally, counselling requires mutual respect – if abusive behaviour occurs at any point, then the contract will be terminated immediately
Complaints
If you feel you are not getting the service you need, I want to hear about your concerns so I can offer the best possible service. If you feel able to, please speak to me directly. As I am a member of the BACP, you can also choose to speak with them. They can be contacted by telephone on 01455 883300, by email to [email protected], or in writing to BACP, 15 St John’s Business Park, Lutterworth LE17 4HB.
Payment of sessions
All paperwork will be carried out via email prior to meeting. Thereafter, session fees for all remote therapy, in person sessions at my office, or outdoors therapy starting from or nearby my Järfälla office are as follows, on a sliding scale, chosen by you in advance:
- 1,200 to 2,000 SEK for a 50-minute session
- 2,200 3,000 SEK for a 90-minute session
Please note that, if appropriate, I am always happy to meet any requests beyond the scope of therapy, made by clients (or parents of younger clients) to speak or write to other professionals, or to offer tips or advice (e.g. consultations regarding parenting advice, support around schooling). However, I do charge for my time, at 750 SEK per half hour conversation or for adaptations documents for school or work, and 750 SEK per letter or email. Invoices will be emailed to you monthly for such requests, along with invoices for any therapy.
Payment should be made to my bank account, and should be paid in advance of your session. Failure to pay for a session may result in cancellation of that and future sessions.
My bank details are as follows: Ninoslava Shah, Handelsbanken, 6164 – 874 412 951.
If you have any questions about any aspect of this agreement, or would like further information, please contact me at [email protected]. If you wish to go ahead with counselling, please answer the questions to follow and hit submit. Alternatively you can request for a copy to be sent to you via email, for you to print out, and return to me by post or scanned via email.
