An overview of information concerning therapy.
The following information is provided so that you may make an informed decision about your therapy and gain the maximum benefit.
Mobile phones
During sessions, unless by prior arrangement (which will only be in cases of emergency) you must turn off your mobile phone or put it on silent. This will avoid distractions and interruptions to the flow of therapy and show respect to the process.
Confidential and Private Status of files
The collection; recording; accessing; storage; dissemination; and, disposal of information is under strict conditions. These guard your privacy and ensure confidentiality.
Confidentiality Statement
You will sign a confidentiality agreement prior to therapy, attesting that you are aware of the limits of confidentiality. Psychologists registered and working in Australia are bound by a strict Code of Ethics that includes maintaining client confidentiality and privacy. All enquiries and counselling sessions are essentially private and confidential. However, there are exceptions (see below).
Exceptions to confidentiality:
By agreement
We disclose only that information which is necessary to achieve the purpose of the disclosure, and then only to people required to have that information and whom you have given permission to share with.
Information is disclosed to whom you agree to having information shared with – eg your GP.
We will correspond with your referring medical practitioner on receipt of your referral and/or Mental Health Care Plan; as required during treatment; if you drop out of therapy before completing the number of sessions recommended; to refer you back to your referring medical practitioner for their opinion if it is thought you may require more therapy; and, to notify therapy sessions have been delivered.
Self-Harm
Instances of self-harm or statements you are contemplating self-harm or have self-harmed will be shared with your referring medical practitioner. Suicidal thoughts; plans; or reported attempts preclude confidentiality being maintained. In such cases, those who may be considered to be of assistance will be notified.
Harm of Others
Reported victim crimes or intention to commit a victim crime cannot be kept confidential. Information will be given to those who may intervene.
Mandatory Reporting
All psychologists are mandated by law to report perceived threats or reported or disclosed physical; emotional; sexual abuse and neglect. Your therapist is required to report any suspicion of abuse of a child. Your therapist will also report any suspicion of abuse of a vulnerable person. “Suspicion” translates as “having reasonable grounds to suspect” abuse may occur; is occurring; or, has occurred.
Court Subpoena/testimony
A Court may subpoena your case notes. Your therapist may be required to testify in a court regarding your therapy. This tends to be a rare occurrence.
Supervision
Your therapist may discuss your case and their management of it with a professional supervisor who is also required to maintain confidentiality about what is discussed in supervision. Any discussions in supervision entails anonymity and any identifying information being de-identified.
Adolescents
Adolescent and parents will agree to a negotiated disclosure – what may or may not be shared.
With young persons (we see adolescents subject to perceived suitability for therapy), therapy will involve carers to some extent.
It is a practice condition that adolescents with a disability or diagnosis require a parent to be in the room for the session or available in the waiting room to be invited into session.
Couples’ Therapy
Individual sessions are not confidential. Sharing may occur with the individual partners in joint sessions. The therapist may use information from individual sessions if they think it may assist therapy. If couples agree in writing to video-ing of sessions, it is agreed videos will be used only for: enhancing therapy interactions and/or for professional supervision of the therapist and will be destroyed following such uses. Couples sign an agreement that videos will not be available to them or used for any other purpose and that notes from therapy sessions will be inadmissible in courts.
Files
Files will be kept under secure conditions for seven (7) years then destroyed.
Social chance meeting
Should you meet your therapist by chance outside the practice, the therapist will respond to your greeting but not initiate or engage in any brief social contact.
Projected span of therapy
The therapist will advise the projected number of sessions required. This may vary from the number indicated on the Mental Health Care Plan. In the case of Couples’ Therapy an estimate may be offered but as couples’ therapy is more complex an exact number of required sessions will necessarily be dependent on progress in therapy. Generally, couples’ therapy requires more sessions than most individual therapy. An average number of sessions couples engage in is between 10 and 20.
Preparation
Come to sessions prepared – with something to discuss. Attending a session without preparation will not yield the best results.
Between session tasks
Your between session tasks negotiated in sessions need to be completed if you are to gain benefit from therapy.
Reports/letters
These must be costed and agreed to prior to beginning a report/letter. A 50% deposit on any negotiated out-of-session report is required prior to beginning the document. Payment of the remaining 50% will be required prior to receipt of the report/letter.
Fees
Fees are set out clearly in the Schedule of Fees. All discussions re fees via Reception.
As a client you will:
- Be treated with respect
- Receive an explanation about the nature and limits of confidentiality
- Receive a clear explanation of the counselling service you will receive
- Be clear about the goals that you and the psychologist are working toward
- Receive a competent and professional service
- Be clear about a best estimate of the number of sessions that you will possibly require to achieve your goals