What is the cost?
There is no cost associated with any service offered by the Care Center. The Care Center and its services are funded by private donations to SEND International. For more information on this please contact SEND International at www.send.org.
What is the daily schedule?
Individuals and couples generally arrive on Sunday and begin their counseling on Monday morning. Counseling sessions are held each day, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Afternoons and evenings are free for relaxing, site seeing and working on assignments given by the counselor.
The length of counseling will be determined in part by the availability of the person seeking help and the recommendation of the counselor. This will be decided before the person travels to Budapest. Typical counseling sessions last from one to two weeks.
Are there medical doctors or psychiatrists available?
There are two “western” oriented medical clinics in Budapest serving the large expatriate community of Budapest. We recommend contacting the Rozsakert Medical Center in Budapest to schedule any needed appointments before arriving. Their website has a list of medical specialties available: http://www.medical-center.hu/ . The phone number for the main office is: (+36 1) 391-5903. They do have a psychiatrist on staff that can provide psychiatric medical evaluations.
Another highly recommended medical center is the American Clinic. They also provide a wide range of medical services including psychiatric consultations. More information can be found on their website: http://www.firstmedcenters.com/ Prior to coming to Budapest, please be sure to call and set any needed appointment. Their main office phone number is: (+36 1) 224-9090.
Is childcare available?
This is an important question. Childcare is not available. It is strongly encouraged that couples do not come to Budapest with their children. If this is not possible, then it is best to bring a childcare provider who is able to provide for the needs of the children at the hotel where they are staying.
Who should come to the Care Center?
The Care Center is designed to help people who are seeking services for themselves. This means that individuals and couples recognize their own need for counseling and are privately seeking help for themselves. Anyone who is married needs to come to the Care Center with his or her spouse.
When a person begins to feel that his work is no longer worthwhile, the daily pleasures of life are not enjoyed, relationships are a burden and there seems to be no escape from feelings of failure and fatigue, it is likely that without help depression and burnout will ensue. We ask that anyone in this situation consider contacting the Care Center for assistance.
The Care Center is not an appropriate treatment center for people who are actively suicidal and at risk of hurting themselves or others. Please see our resource list for crisis care and psychiatric care facilities able to address this type of emergency.
The Care Center is not an appropriate treatment center for individuals or couples who are being told by their leadership that they have to have counseling or be evaluated in order to continue their work. Given the short-term duration of the counseling sessions (one to two weeks), our counseling approach is not appropriate if the counselee is reluctant to actively participate in the counseling process.
What should I expect in terms of expenses?
The actual counseling does not cost money, however you should plan for the following expenses:
One weekly bus pass is 2000 forints.
A package of 10 individual bus tickets can be bought if you are here for just a day or two (235 forints per ticket)
Transportation to and from airport via “Mini Bus” service is 3600 forints per trip.
A Cheap meal will be about 1500 HUF per person.
Credit card can be used at your hotel.
If you stay at the IMB guest house, you will need to pay in cash.