Made between Frank Kennedy (therapist)

and ____________________________ (client)

1. Duration and number of sessions
The initial number of sessions planned will be discussed at the first meeting, and this will be reviewed periodically by agreement between the therapist and client during the course of therapy. The duration of each therapy session is 50 minutes, and it is the client’s responsibility to arrive on time. It is not possible to extend appointments beyond the time scheduled.

2. Payment of fee
The agreed fee is €___ per session. It is expected that the client will pay the fee at the end of each session. Fees may be reviewed periodically by agreement between the client and therapist.

 

3. Cancellation or Change of Appointment
The scheduled appointment time will be reserved for the client each week (except for bank holidays and other holidays notified in advance by either party). Missed appointments are a cost to the therapist. Save in cases of serious illness or emergencies, clients are expected to give at least 48 hours notice (2 full working days) of cancellation of a session.  If this notice is not given the fee for the missed session will be charged.  Re-arrangement of cancelled sessions is subject to therapist availability.

 

4. Commitment to therapy
The process of counselling or therapy can be demanding, but having made the decision to attend it is important that the client attends regularly. This is a commitment by the client to their own wellbeing. Difficult issues can arise in therapy, and it is important for the client’s wellbeing that any decision to end therapy is not taken suddenly but is discussed in advance so that the client can end therapy safely and in a planned way.

 

5. Doctor’s referrals
In the case of clients referred directly by a doctor or other agency, the therapist will, as a matter of professional courtesy, and unless otherwise requested by you, acknowledge such referrals by confirming that an initial appointment has been made.

 

6. Supervision and ethical practice

The therapist is working towards accreditation with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP), having been a student member for the past three years.  The therapist will adhere to the IACP’s Code of Ethics which can be viewed at http://www.iacp.ie/iacp-code-of-ethics.  Supervision of the therapist’s work with the client is conducted in accordance with the IACP guidelines for supervised client work.

 

7. Confidentiality and its limits
While what is spoken about in therapy is treated in strict confidence there are some limits to that confidentiality:

The therapist has an ethical obligation to seek to put supports in place for clients that the therapist believes are at risk of causing harm to themselves. Where possible this will be done through discussion with the client and development of an individual safety plan with them.

The therapist has a legal obligation to advise outside agencies where there are grounds for believing that a client, or a person identifiable from information provided by the client, will cause physical harm to another.

The therapist has a legal obligation to report disclosures of child sexual abuse in the present or past, and potential risks of child abuse – sexual abuse, physical abuse or child neglect. Where possible the therapist will try to support the client in reporting such matters to the relevant authorities themselves.  The therapist will consult his supervisor or an experienced colleague, in advance of any such report. However, in emergencies, the therapist shall make his own judgment as to what action is required.

 

8. Records and Data Protection
Client records will be kept in electronic format, under encryption, on the therapist’s computer. All Data Protection legislation will be complied with. At the first session a client intake form will be completed giving relevant background information about the client; any medical conditions; any substance dependencies; any previous experience of counselling; G.P. details, and client contact details. This information will be inputted to the therapist’s computer as soon as practicable and the written copy destroyed. Brief notes will be made by the therapist after each session and retained in electronic format, under encryption, on the therapist’s computer. All records relating to a client will be erased from the therapist’s computer after a period of 6 years from the date of the last meeting.

 

 

 

Client signature___________________________                                              Date___________

 

Therapist signature________________________                                              Date___________