Frequently asked questions
Who can Ione see?
Services are primarily offered to adults aged 18 and older. Services for anyone under 18 are considered individually and require completion of the consent, assent, and legal-authority requirements applicable in the client’s jurisdiction. Couples counselling is for adults 18+.
Where is Cultivating ClearPaths located?
Nassau, The Bahamas. No street address is published; it is shared privately with confirmed clients.
Where are services available?
In-person in Nassau, The Bahamas when suitable, and online where Ione is licensed to practice — currently The Bahamas and the State of New Mexico. Coaching, which is nonclinical, is available more widely.
How do I know whether my counsellor or therapist is appropriately qualified?
You have the right to understand the qualifications of the person you are trusting with your mental health.
Before beginning counselling or therapy, it is reasonable to ask about a provider's education, professional credentials, clinical training, experience, and the standards that guide their practice. Qualifications and regulatory requirements can differ by profession and jurisdiction, so a professional title alone may not tell you everything you need to know.
A qualified mental-health professional should be willing to clearly explain their training, credentials, and scope of practice. Some helpful questions to ask include:
- What degree or clinical training qualifies you to provide counselling or therapy?
- Are you licensed, registered, or professionally credentialed? If so, by which body or jurisdiction?
- Can that credential be independently verified?
- Do you have training or experience relevant to the concern for which I am seeking help?
- What professional code of ethics or standards guides your work?
- Are there areas that fall outside your scope of practice, and how do you handle referrals when needed?
Short courses, certificates, and experience in helping professions can be valuable, but they are not necessarily equivalent to professional clinical training.
A responsible practitioner should welcome informed questions about their qualifications and be transparent about what they are—and are not—qualified to provide.
At Cultivating ClearPaths, Ione's professional credentials, clinical training, licensure, and areas of advanced training are openly provided so that you can make an informed decision about your care.
What's the difference between counselling and coaching?
Counselling may address emotional, relational, and mental-health concerns and is grounded in Gestalt therapy. Counselling is oriented toward processing and understanding present or past emotional difficulty. Coaching is nonclinical and future-focused, offering action-oriented support to clarify goals and build momentum. Coaching is not a substitute for counselling.
What happens during the consultation?
A brief, no-pressure 15-minute conversation. It is not counselling, and there is no guarantee of acceptance or an appointment.
How do I prepare for my first session?
Nothing is required. Come as you are.
What's your story?
Ione's own personal journey shapes how she works, and she brings the experience of having been the client as well as the counsellor.
How will counselling work: structured, free-flowing, or a mix?
Sessions may be structured, free-flowing, or a combination, depending on what feels most useful for you and what is being explored in a given session.
How long will I have to do counselling?
There is no fixed length. Some people attend for a few sessions around a specific concern; others continue longer. This is discussed together and revisited as needed.
Will I get homework?
Sometimes. Reflection exercises or small between-session practices may be suggested when helpful, but nothing is required.
Do I need medication?
Counselling does not require medication, and Ione does not prescribe it. If medication may be relevant to your situation, she can help you consider a referral to an appropriate medical provider.
What happens if you see me out in public?
To protect your confidentiality, Ione will not acknowledge you first in public. If you choose to say hello, she is glad to greet you back.
Can I add you on social media?
To maintain appropriate professional boundaries, Ione does not accept personal social media connections from current or former clients.
How does the couples consultation work?
Both partners attend together, followed by a Gottman-informed assessment.
How do couples assessments and the Gottman Checkup work?
The assessment is Gottman-informed and may include joint and individual appointments, billed at the normal couples-session fee with no surcharge. The Gottman Relationship Checkup may be required and is purchased separately through The Gottman Institute.
What is the no-secrets policy?
It applies in couples work, subject to safety and legal considerations.
Is couples counselling inclusive?
Yes. It is open to all couples, including LGBTQ+ and same-sex partners.
What are your fees?
Individual counselling is $130, couples counselling $170, and coaching $110 BSD/USD per session. The consultation is free.
Are reduced-fee spaces available?
A limited number may be available; this is not guaranteed and is not the ordinary pricing model. If cost is a barrier, please say so.
When are appointments available?
Tuesday to Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons.
How do payments and cancellations work?
Payment is due at least 24 hours before the appointment. Cancellation within 5 hours of the start time may be charged 50% of the session fee.
Do you accept insurance?
No. Cultivating ClearPaths does not currently accept insurance. Payment is made directly at the time of booking.
Are your forms secure?
Yes. Only limited contact and scheduling information is collected on the site; clinical data lives securely in the client portal.
What if I need emergency support?
Cultivating ClearPaths is not an emergency service and cannot respond to crises. In an emergency in The Bahamas, call 919 or 911.
