New Client Contract and Informed Consent

This document contains important information. Please review the information carefully, discuss any questions with your therapist and sign the contract.

Background and Services

Welcome to Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy. I am committed to providing a safe, respectful, and confidential space for you to explore personal challenges, develop insight, and work towards greater emotional and psychological wellbeing.

All counselling and psychotherapy is delivered by a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist trained in evidence-based approaches, tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Sessions last 50 minutes and may occur weekly, fortnightly, or as agreed upon.

I am committed to ethical practice and uphold the standards set by the relevant professional bodies.

Aims of Counselling

The aim of counselling and psychotherapy is to provide you, the client, with an opportunity to explore personal and relational issues in a safe and confidential environment. The role of the therapist is to help you through this process without judgment or offering advice. During sessions, the client and therapist will set goals and the client endeavours to work towards these goals. If at any time the therapist feels they are unable to help you, the therapist will offer to refer you to someone who can.

Sessions

Sessions last approximately 50 minutes. It is expected the session will begin at the scheduled time. Any session that begins after the scheduled time, due to client arriving late for whatever reason, cannot be extended beyond the agreed finish time. If the client does not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled appointment time, this will be considered a cancellation and the therapist will not be available for the remainder of the appointment. If the client is unable to attend the appointment, the client is to cancel the appointment 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment, otherwise the deposit will be forfeited. The end of the counselling relationship will be considered terminated if there has been no contact between client and counsellor for 6 weeks.

End of Counselling

The client has a right to withdraw from counselling at any time. However, it is requested that the client notify the therapist of the client's voluntary ending of counselling. Counselling ideally will cease when it is mutually agreed upon by client and therapist.

Referrals

If, for any reason, the therapist is unable to meet the client's needs, then the client will be referred to another qualified professional. This will be discussed with the client with the client's consent.

Emergencies

Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy does not have an emergency or after-hours services. If the client experiences an emergency outside of a session, the client should contact the nearest hospital emergency department or call 000. Alternatively, the client may call a 24-hour telephone crisis counselling service such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467. During your appointments, the therapist will also discuss how to handle emergencies.

Code of Ethics

Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy is bound by the Code of Ethics and Practices set out by the Australian Counselling Association and will adhere to their guidelines.

Confidentiality

It is the policy of Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy to protect the privacy of every client and maintain confidentiality to the maximum extent. Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy will not disclose the client's personal information with the following exceptions:

1. The client has given prior approval to discuss their information with another person or organisation or to provide a written report to other agencies.

   
   

2. It is believed on reasonable grounds that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or wellbeing of the client or another person.

   
   

3. There is suspicion or knowledge of child abuse and/or neglect or elder abuse and/or neglect.

   
   

4. The disclosure is required or authorised by or under the law.

To ensure the provision of quality care, therapists regularly meet with supervisors to discuss client counselling services. Any records of information disclosed to the supervisor will be de-identified to protect the client's confidentiality. All supervisors are obligated to follow the confidentiality guidelines as set forth by the Australian Counselling Association Code of Ethics and Practice (2019) and the Privacy Act (1988) as amended by the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012.

Collection and Purpose of Personal Information

An important part of providing counselling services includes collecting, recording and retaining information relevant to the client’s situation and counselling progress. This information is a necessary part of the services provided and delivers relevant and informed counselling services. Please ensure you provide honest and comprehensive information to help the therapist meet your counselling needs. You do not need to give your personal information, however, if you do not, it may impact our service delivery.

Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy will only collect personal information from individuals by fair and lawful means. The information collected is treated in a confidential manner and is only seen by those who need to see the information to support clients in their counselling/therapy. In collecting personal information Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy will comply with the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Privacy Act 1988 as amended by the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012.

Storage and Security of Information

Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy will securely store all records containing personal information and will take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

The client's counselling records, and personal information will be kept by Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy for a period of seven (7) years from the date of your last contact with the practice. After which reasonable steps will be taken to destroy or de-identify personal information and counselling records, as set out in the Privacy Act 1988 as amended by the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012.

Minors

If a client is under the age of 18, the law may provide parents/guardians the right to examine client records. In such cases, parents/guardians will be provided with general information about the therapist and client’s work together. If there is a high risk that the minor is a serious risk to themselves or others, then parents/guardians will be notified of these concerns. Parents/Guardians will also be provided a summary of the minor’s counselling when completed, however before giving them any information, the therapist will discuss the matter with the minor and do their best to address any objections the minor may have.

Accessing Client Information and Correcting Records

Clients have a right to access and review what material is recorded in their file, subject to exceptions in relevant legislation (Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 and Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Private Protection) Act 2012).

Requests to access or obtain personal information must be made in writing. Clients will be advised of how they may access or obtain a copy of their personal information and any applicable fees within 10 days of receiving their written request. Where it is reasonable to do so, access to the information will be provided in the manner requested by the individual.

If a client considers their personal information to be incorrect, incomplete, out of date or misleading, they can request that the information be amended. Where a record is found to be inaccurate, a correction will be made as soon as practical. Where a client requests that a record be amended because it is inaccurate but the record is found to be accurate, the details of the request for amendment will be noted on the record.

Written requests for access to, to obtain a copy of, or correct personal information held by Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy should be sent to: Raeleen.r@pwcp.com.au

Rights of Clients

Clients have certain rights. These include the right:

1. To be treated with dignity and respect, free from any verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

   
   

2. To have equal consideration and treatment, regardless of your sex, gender, race, religion, economic status, age, sexual preference or beliefs.

   
   

3. To be provided with professional and respectful care by their therapist.

   
   

4. To be listened to in a non-judgmental way.

   
   

5. To have their therapist make fair and reasonable decisions about counselling and care.

   
   

6. To confidentiality within counselling and psychotherapy with the following exceptions: where the client gives permission for confidence to be broken; where the therapist is mandated by a court of law; or where the information is of great severity that confidentiality cannot be maintained, such as crime or terrorism and where information reveals actual or potential serious physical harm to self or others.

Responsibilities of Clients

Clients also have certain responsibilities. These are:

1. To be honest, open and willing to share concerns with their therapist.

   
   

2. To ask questions when they do not understand, or they need clarification.

   
   

3. To maintain their appointments or give at least 48 hours’ notice if they need to cancel.

   
   

4. To treat their therapist with respect.

   
   

5. To arrive to their appointment on time.

   
   

6. To ensure payment for appointments are paid on the day of the appointment.

   
   

7. To not consume alcohol or take any illicit drugs prior to the session.

Informed Consent to Counselling

I have read the above information carefully and understand the conditions and policies stated. I had the opportunity to ask questions and had my questions answered. I accept the information provided and agree to the conditions for the provision of counselling and psychotherapy services offered and provided at Placid Waters Counselling & Psychotherapy.