Mind Body Spirit Holistic Centre- ABN.331662280780 Counselling Services Hervey Bay-Engagement Agreement

The following details set out the terms of engagement for the counselling service (name) with (client name) and (service name).

Services.

Counselling services provided are to support you in resolving mental health or personal issues and problems. The counsellor’s role is to provide professional mental health and support based on the following treatment modalities:

- We’ll work together, focusing on your needs, to pinpoint issues, establish goals, create a positive goal-based plan, and regularly review progress as the client agrees.

- Trauma informed practice – this is using trauma-based approach in therapy.

- Solution-Focused Therapy – it identifies your strengths and resources to resolve issues.

- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – this address faulty thinking or unhelpful behaviour patterns and develops more effective ways of thinking and behaving.

- Narrative Therapy – address internal narrative or self-talk that are no longer helpful and develop new ways of understanding our lives to function more effectively.

- Client Centred Therapy – this explores your internal feelings and thoughts helping you to process them more effectively.

- Clinical Family Therapies Approach for couple counselling and families– these provide evidence-based approach to couple work.

- Other contemporary treatment modalities could be used and will be explained in therapy.

- Treatment may include home reinforcement as required and agreed upon.

Scope of services

The counselling service provides support for the following areas.

- Couple counselling for married or de facto relationships.

- Parent support.

- Post separation support (excluding Couples for Family Court Purposes).

- Mental health including symptoms of depressive thoughts, anxiety, anger issues, career related issues, trauma, stress,  suicidal ideation and life adjustment, such as retirement.

- Grief and loss.

- Existential and spiritual crisis.

The services do not provide support for the following and will require a referral if assessed.

- Domestic violence.

- Eating disorder.

- Sexual identity issues.

- Sex therapy.

- Family Law Court Matters of Reunification.

- Conditions that include psychosis.

Informed consent.

Clients who engage in the service confirm that they read this document and given consent to engagement in counselling. Consent includes the ability choose the topics for discussion, develop goals, decline to engagement in a particular treatment and withdraw from the service at any time giving notice.

By engaging in the service, the client is doing so voluntarily.

Sessions

Counselling sessions are prearranged based on the following:

- 60 minutes sessions, which may be varied by mutual agreement.

- Sessions are generally weekly or fortnightly but may be spaced apart over time.

- 24 hours’ notice is required for cancellation and an administration fee will be charged if notice is not provided – except in the case of emergency.

- Assessment can take up to three sessions depending on the complexity of your issue.

- The number of sessions can vary from a one off to extended periods over twelve months.

Cancellation

- Cancellation requires 24 hours’ notice, and a reminder will be sent 24 hours prior to a session.

- If client arrives late, the session will start on their arrival. The session will end at the original appointment time.

- And the administrative charge will apply of 50% of the fee due.

Code of Ethics

Confidentiality

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) guides the confidentiality of the sessions, which means

- Everything discussed in the session is of the strictest confidence and will be kept confidential except for the following situations:

- Counsellor may discuss cases with a clinical supervisor for advice without identifying clients.

- The counsellor may be under mandatory or duty of care obligations by law to disclose information, including child abuse, serious risk of self-harm or harm toward a third party or of any serious criminal breaches revealed during the session. Legal entities include police or child protection agency. 

- The counsellor is also legally obligated to respond to court subpoenas or request for documentation.

- We will endeavour to advise you of any disclosure of information where safe to do so.

- We do not supply information to third party apart from the above, without your written consent and will not supply information even if you give verbal 

consent.

- We have a privacy policy which you may request via our email address.

Emergency

- If the counsellor judges that there is a serious risk of self-harm by the client, or potential harm to a third party including onsite staff the police and ambulance may be called to ensure everyone’s safety.

- The call to emergency services may occur to comply with the duty of care obligations can be done without the consent of the client.

Client records

Client records are kept of the counselling sessions and are stored manually and electronically, but not on the internet.

- The records belong to the counsellor and not to the client.

- The information in the records belong to the client and may be reviewed for accuracy after a formal request for access in writing via our email address.

- There is only a single record of client information.

- Collection of information is for providing the service and failing to provide personal information such as name, address and or contact number may mean we cannot provide the counselling service.

- The information is sensitive and considered health information.

Referrals

If another agency or health provider has referred you for counselling (e.g., doctor, psychologist, hospital or agency) the counsellor may acknowledge the referral or advice if the referral was not accepted to ensure continuity of care.

Referrals can be made to another agency with the client’s written consent or in some cases, a warm referral (counsellor and client working on the phone to contact another agency).

Fees

Fees cover both the counselling session and associated administration in providing the service.

- The counselling fees are $150.00 per 60-minute session and higher fees will apply for each additional 15 minutes by negotiation.

- Fees are to be paid within 3 days of the sessions on receipt of the invoice.

- Face to face and online are the same fee.

Boundaries and contact

It is critical that counselling occurs in a safe and professional manner for both counsellor and clients. Therefore:

- If a client is under the influence of alcohol or any prohibited substance, the counselling session will NOT take place.

- Client and counsellor contact is limited to the counselling session.

- If the counsellor has contact with the client informally or formally in public, acknowledgement will be given but the nature of the professional relationship will not be disclosed.

- Contact may be made with the counsellor or their office manager to make or cancel appointments.

- If there is no answer, leave a message, and a return call will be made.

- The service is not an emergency or crisis service and if urgent support is required, contact 000, Lifeline on 131114 or your local GP.

Feedback and Complaints

We welcome feedback to improve our services as a part of the client directed practice and will use a Session Rating Scales after each session to assist you in achieving your outcomes.

If you are dissatisfied with the service first, please speak with us and we will endeavour to resolve any concerns. However, we do have a complaints policy available on request including alternate complaint processes. Contact us via our email address.

Termination of services.

In the following context, counselling will come to an end.

- When treatment goals have been achieved and a mutually agree termination is achieved.

- If the client feels the counselling is not be helpful, you can cease counselling at any time.

Client name/s Signature

1 _______________

2 _______________

Counsellor name Signature

Patricia Fowler