Question 1

1. About Astramía Counselling

Accepted Answer

Astramía Counselling provides preventive and psychosocial counselling and emotional support.Practice: Astramía CounsellingPractitioner: Lina GabbaoanLocation: Groningen, the NetherlandsKvK: 96940719VAT ID: NL005238416B15Email: contact@linagabbaoan.comAstramía's services are designed to provide a supportive, reflective and practical space for people navigating experiences such as migration and cultural adjustment, relationships and transitions, motherhood, prolonged stress, emotional recovery and changes in identity or life circumstances.The services provided by Astramía are not a substitute for emergency, psychiatric or specialist mental healthcare.

Question 2

2. Introductory calls

Accepted Answer

Astramía offers a free introductory call before counselling begins.Individual counselling15 minutesFreeNo obligationCouples counselling30 minutesFreeNo obligationThe introductory call provides an opportunity to briefly discuss what brings you to counselling, answer initial questions and consider whether Astramía may be an appropriate fit.An introductory call is not a counselling session, diagnostic assessment, crisis service or clinical evaluation.Following the call, either you or Astramía may decide that another form of support would be more appropriate.

Question 3

3. Counselling sessions and fees

Accepted Answer

Current standard fees are:Individual counsellingStandard individual session 60 minutes — €85Extended individual session 90 minutes — €125Student rate 60 minutes — €65The student rate is available to eligible students with valid student identification and is subject to availability.Couples counsellingStandard couples session 75 minutes — €125Extended couples session 90 minutes — €145All prices stated above include 21% VAT.Current fees are also published on the Sessions, Fees & Payments page.Where a different fee, package or arrangement has been agreed in writing, that agreement will apply.

Question 4

4. Short counselling pathways and packages

Accepted Answer

Some clients prefer to arrange several sessions together.Where available, current individual counselling pathways may include:3 × 60-minute sessions — €2404 × 60-minute sessions — €315Packages are intended to provide a practical arrangement for clients who already expect to attend several sessions. Purchasing a package does not mean that a predetermined therapeutic outcome can be guaranteed.The number and frequency of sessions remain something that can be discussed according to your circumstances and needs.Any specific validity period, payment arrangement, cancellation conditions or other package conditions will be communicated before purchase.

Question 5

5. Payment

Accepted Answer

Payment information is provided when your counselling session is arranged.Unless another arrangement has been agreed, payment should be made according to the payment instructions and due date provided by Astramía.The amount shown on the invoice is the total client price and includes applicable VAT.Clients are responsible for ensuring payment is made using the correct payment reference and within the agreed period.Where payment remains outstanding, Astramía may postpone further appointments until the outstanding amount has been resolved.Any statutory rights concerning payment notices or collection procedures remain unaffected.

Question 6

6. Scheduling appointments

Accepted Answer

Introductory calls may be booked through Astramía's online scheduling provider, TidyCal, or arranged directly where appropriate.Counselling appointments may take place:online; orin person where availability and location allow.Online counselling is available throughout the Netherlands. In-person availability may be offered in Groningen City and Winschoten.Availability of a particular time, location or format cannot be guaranteed.

Question 7

7. Rescheduling and cancellation

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled session.Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours' notice can normally be moved without a cancellation charge.Late cancellationsWhere less than 24 hours' notice is provided, the session may be charged according to the applicable cancellation terms.Missed appointmentsIf you do not attend an appointment without notifying Astramía, the session may be charged in full.Exceptions may be considered where there are serious or unforeseen circumstances. This is assessed individually and should not be assumed automatically.If Astramía needs to cancel or reschedule a session, you will not be charged for a session that did not take place, and an alternative appointment can be arranged where appropriate.

Question 8

8. Late arrival

Accepted Answer

If you arrive late, the session will normally still finish at the originally scheduled time because another appointment may follow.The full session fee may still apply.Where circumstances and availability permit, some flexibility may occasionally be possible, but additional time cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

9. Online counselling

Accepted Answer

For online sessions, you are responsible for arranging, where reasonably possible:a stable internet connection;a functioning device;a private environment;appropriate audio and video where required; anda space in which you feel reasonably comfortable speaking.Astramía will likewise take reasonable steps to provide an appropriate and private environment from the practitioner's side.If significant technical difficulties prevent a session from continuing, we can discuss whether the session should be resumed, rescheduled or otherwise handled according to the circumstances.Clients should avoid recording online counselling sessions unless this has been explicitly discussed and agreed beforehand.

Question 10

10. In-person counselling

Accepted Answer

In-person counselling may be available in Groningen City or Winschoten depending on scheduling, facilities and the nature of the support.The location and any relevant practical information will be communicated when the appointment is confirmed.Availability of in-person counselling may change and is not guaranteed for every client or appointment.

Question 11

11. Confidentiality

Accepted Answer

Counselling conversations are treated confidentially.Information shared during counselling is not ordinarily disclosed to other people without your permission.There are, however, circumstances in which confidentiality cannot be absolute. These may include situations involving serious safety concerns or where disclosure is required or permitted by law.Where circumstances allow, I will aim to discuss this with you before information is disclosed.Further information is provided in Astramía's Privacy Policy, relevant consent documentation and the Professional Registration & Ethics page.

Question 12

12. Professional records

Accepted Answer

Astramía maintains professional records where appropriate for the counselling relationship and professional practice requirements.Records may be maintained within the Astramía Digital ECD System and CAT ECD, as applicable.The handling, protection, retention and rights associated with personal data are explained more fully in the Privacy Policy.

Question 13

13. Professional scope

Accepted Answer

Astramía provides preventive and psychosocial counselling.Counselling may involve reflection, emotional support, psychoeducation, grounding, emotional regulation, exploration of relationships and patterns, practical coping strategies and other approaches appropriate to the practitioner's professional scope.Astramía does not present its counselling services as emergency psychiatric care or specialist mental healthcare.Counselling does not guarantee a particular emotional, relational, legal, educational, employment or other outcome.If your circumstances appear to require another type or level of care, this will be discussed with you where appropriate and referral or other support options may be considered.

Question 14

14. Crisis and emergency situations

Accepted Answer

Astramía is not an emergency or crisis service.The website, email, contact forms, booking system and counselling communication channels should not be relied upon for urgent or emergency assistance.If you or another person is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical or psychiatric assistance, appropriate emergency or crisis services should be contacted.Messages sent outside scheduled counselling arrangements may not be read or answered immediately.

Question 15

15. Counselling involving legal, custody or high-conflict circumstances

Accepted Answer

Astramía may provide emotional and psychosocial support to people experiencing legal disputes, separation, custody-related stress, domestic conflict or other high-conflict circumstances.The purpose of counselling in these situations is to support the client's emotional wellbeing, reflection, regulation and coping.Unless separately and explicitly agreed within the practitioner's professional competence and role, counselling does not constitute:legal advice;forensic psychological assessment;custody evaluation;expert witness assessment;determination of whether allegations are legally or factually proven; orrepresentation in legal proceedings.Clients should obtain advice from an appropriately qualified legal professional for legal questions.This distinction protects both you and the client and is particularly important given the Steady Through the Storm pathway.

Question 16

16. Couples counselling

Accepted Answer

Where counselling involves a couple, both participants are expected to engage respectfully and voluntarily.The counselling relationship concerns the couple and the relational work being undertaken rather than automatically creating two separate individual counselling relationships.Information disclosed individually by one partner may create difficulties for effective couples work. Expectations concerning individual communications, confidentiality and information relevant to the couple should therefore be discussed at the beginning of counselling.Astramía may pause or discontinue couples counselling where the format no longer appears appropriate or safe, or where another form of support appears more suitable.Additional arrangements may be included within the Couples Counselling Intake & Consent documentation.

Question 17

17. Communication between sessions

Accepted Answer

Email, messaging and other communication outside sessions should generally be used for practical matters such as scheduling or agreed follow-up.These communication channels are not intended to provide continuous counselling or emergency support.Where therapeutic exercises, reflections or resources are agreed between sessions, their purpose and use can be discussed during counselling.Response times may vary, and immediate responses cannot be guaranteed.

Question 18

18. Client participation and choice

Accepted Answer

Counselling is collaborative.You are encouraged to:ask questions;communicate when something does not feel helpful;discuss concerns about the counselling process;decide what you do or do not wish to discuss;participate in decisions about the direction of counselling; andcommunicate when you would like to pause or end counselling.You are not required to disclose something simply because you are attending counselling.

Question 19

19. Ending counselling

Accepted Answer

You may decide to stop counselling at any time.Where possible, discussing the decision during a session can provide an opportunity to reflect on the work, consider what has been helpful and identify any next steps.Astramía may also recommend ending, pausing or referring counselling where:the service no longer appears appropriate for your needs;another type or level of care appears necessary;professional boundaries cannot reasonably be maintained;repeated non-attendance or payment issues prevent counselling from continuing;the counselling relationship is no longer workable; orcontinuing would conflict with professional or ethical responsibilities.Where appropriate and reasonably possible, this will be discussed with you.

Question 20

20. Referrals and other professionals

Accepted Answer

There may be circumstances in which another professional or service could better meet some or all of your needs.With your involvement and where appropriate, options such as contacting a GP, mental healthcare professional, specialist service, legal professional or another relevant provider may be discussed.A recommendation to seek another form of support does not necessarily mean counselling with Astramía must immediately end. This depends on the circumstances, professional boundaries and whether the services can appropriately exist alongside one another.

Question 21

21. Insurance and reimbursement

Accepted Answer

Astramía currently provides private counselling.Sessions should not be assumed to be reimbursed under Dutch basic health insurance.Some clients may have supplementary insurance, employer-funded wellbeing support or another reimbursement arrangement that contributes toward counselling costs.Eligibility and reimbursement depend on the conditions imposed by the relevant insurer, employer, funder or other organisation.The client remains responsible for checking eligibility and, unless otherwise agreed, for payment of the invoice regardless of whether reimbursement is subsequently obtained.Astramía cannot guarantee reimbursement by a third party.

Question 22

22. Complaints and professional concerns

Accepted Answer

If you are dissatisfied with an aspect of counselling, you are encouraged, where you feel able, to discuss the concern directly with Astramía first.Astramía aims to take concerns seriously and respond respectfully.Information about applicable professional registration, ethical standards and the external complaints procedure will be available on the Professional Registration & Ethics page and within relevant client documentation.Privacy or personal-data complaints are handled separately under the Privacy Policy.

Question 23

23. Privacy and personal data

Accepted Answer

Personal information is processed according to Astramía's Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection requirements.The Privacy Policy explains:what personal information may be collected;why it is processed;professional record keeping;data retention;third-party service providers;security;cookies; andyour GDPR rights.The current Privacy Policy is available through the Astramía website.

Question 24

24. Changes to fees or services

Accepted Answer

Astramía may periodically review session fees, services, appointment formats or these Terms & Conditions.Changes will not retrospectively alter amounts already paid or arrangements that have explicitly been agreed otherwise.Where a change materially affects an existing counselling arrangement, reasonable notice will be provided where appropriate.Current fees are published on the Sessions, Fees & Payments page.

Question 25

25. Changes to these Terms & Conditions

Accepted Answer

These Terms & Conditions may be updated where Astramía's services, professional requirements, systems or applicable legal obligations change.The current version will be published on the website together with its latest revision date.For ongoing counselling relationships, significant changes affecting the agreed counselling arrangement may also be communicated directly where appropriate.

Question 26

26. Contact

Accepted Answer

Questions about these Terms & Conditions can be directed to:Astramía Counselling Groningen, the NetherlandsEmail: contact@linagabbaoan.comWebsite: astramiacounselling.comKvK: 96940719VAT ID: NL005238416B15