Important Information For New Clients

This document is provided to give you a clear understanding of how my pracitise is conducted. Please read it through. If you do not undersand any of the things in this document or have questions regarding it please raise them with me. In signing my intake form in your first meeting with me you are consenting to all of the terms in this document.

Confidentiality is critical to the counselling process, therefore I take measures, both of my own accord, and as dictated by my licensing body (The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors).

1. The information you share with me is never discussed with anyone else, in fact I go as far as not to even acknowledge to outside parties that I see you, without your consent.
2. I take every reasonable step to keep the information on my computer secure and I am the only one who has access to this computer. You need to be aware that I can not guarantee the security of email communication, and if you choose to convey information via email, you assume that there is a small risk that information in emails could be hacked.
3. I answer my own phone lines and no one else has access to the codes that access my confidential voice mail. The same applies to my fax.
4. The copy of the receipt you receive contains your name, however all the finical paperwork I keep in my records only refers to you by number, thus protecting your identity from any financial audit of my books.

There are some limits to confidentiality that you need to be informed about. If as your therapist I believed that you intended to harm yourself or another person, then safety takes priority over confidentiality. If I learn of a child in need of protection, the child’s safety takes precedence of confidentiality. Although I will defend your right to confidentiality, the court may subpoena me or my records, which could result in some confidential information being disclosed.

In addition when a therapist is involved in couple therapy the therapist can not be expected to knowingly keep the secrets of one partner from the other partner, this is detrimental to the therapeutic relationship.

In the case where therapy involves a minor child or someone incapable of consent, then confidentiality does not apply in the same way. Confidentiality is still important to the therapy process, but the therapist will use her judgement about what information she shares with a parent or caregiver.

The first session usually involves ascertaining the nature of the issue(s) that contribute to the reason you have sought out therapy. At the end of the first session as your counsellor, I hope to have collected enough information to give you a general idea of what kind of work needs to be done to achieve the outcome you are looking for. If you are unclear about what counselling is trying to achieve then please ask your counsellors to clarify these matters for you. If you are uncomfortable with the methods being used to achieve your desired outcomes, please discuss this with your counsellor. It has been scientifically proven that clients who do the homework have greater success than those who do not.

Closure of Therapy - Therapy generally ends in one of two ways.

1. The client and counsellor agree that the goals of therapy have been achieved. Under these circumstances therapy is usually most successful in phased out over time. The door is always left open for clients to return if new issues arise or maintenance is required.
2. The client chooses not to return for a variety of reasons. In the case that you the client choose not to return to therapy it is your responsibility to inform me that this is you intent, thus terminating the contract. You do not have to provide a reason, however if you are willing to do so, it is extremely helpful to enhance my own learning. Your informing me allows me to close out your file.

Files are placed in an inactive section of the file storage system and eventually move to storage. After 5 years files are generally destroyed. If within the five year period you wish the information in your file be shared with another party, you must sign a release form, generally one I provide which stipulates who the information can be shared with and what information in your file you wish shared and for what purpose. It is my preference to speak with all my clients to insure that they and I clearly understand how this information is being used before I release it. There is generally a nominal fee involved in providing this information. Fee is dependant on the amount of time involved in preparing it and is based on my hourly rate.

The counselling industry is not government regulate, which means that there is no universal standard for training and conduct required to call oneself a counsellor or therapist. However counsellors have options to join professional associations that regulate the qualifications and conduct of its members. I am a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. As such, my conduct and standard of care for my clients come under their standards. If for any reason, you are unhappy with my services and have not been able to resolve these matters with me to your satisfaction you may express your concerns to BCACC. The web link and phone number below will provide you with the contact information necessary to do so.

1.800.909.6303 www.bc-counsellors.org

Payment

Fees are $100.00 an hour. Payment is to be made at the end of each session either in cash or by cheque. If a client forgets an appointment or cancels with less than 24 hours notice (weekends generally don’t’ count) the client will be charged for the session, which is to be paid at the beginning of the next session. If a client’s cheque bounces for any reason, bank fees charged to me will be the responsibility of the client. If fees or payment method is different then indicated above, then the therapist will ask the client to sign a different document, otherwise the terms of payment are as provided here.