Client Contract

Terms and Conditions of Therapy

NAME: 

AGREED DATE OF FIRST CONSULTATION:

1.  I am bound by the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP). A copy of the code of practice and ethics are available on request, or may be viewed on the BABCP web site  www.babcp.com/Files/About/conduct–ethics.pdf.

2.  Subject to me being satisfied that your problem is one that can be alleviated by CBT (& or EMDR).  This is my commitment to you.   With the exception, of item 4 below, you are not contracted to any specific number of sessions. You may terminate therapy without further cost at any time you wish.

3.  The normal duration of each session is 50 – 60 minutes, although I reserve the right to amend that time for therapeutic reasons. If for any reason, you are late for a session, I will see you for the duration of the remainder but will be unable to work beyond the allotted time as this will disrupt the clinic for other clients who may be waiting. Full payment of session will be expected but discretion will be used.

4.  It is understood that sometimes sudden events, such as emergencies happen, that may make it necessary for clients to cancel their appointment last minute or fail to attend and are unable to provide notification. On these occasions, it is at the therapist’s discretion if a fee will be charged. In general, however, if you fail to give more than 24 hours’ notice of your intention to cancel or postpone an agreed therapy session then full payment will be expected and no further appointments will be made, until this is received. 

5.  If you have self-referred, the cost for each session will be, as agreed, at telephone consultation. Payment will be required before the first session to secure your appointment. Payment should be made either before or at the end of each session. Cash, PayPal or BACS payment can be made.  Please ask for details for BACS payment.  There are credit/debit card facilities available.   Please note for PayPal payment, Paypal.me/JBtalkingtherapies

6.  The cost of therapy includes any written materials I may supply but excludes the cost of any books that I might suggest you read.

7.  In the event, that a private health care plan is being used to fund your treatment, therapy will not commence until approval  has been received from the private health care organisation or you are able to provide the relevant authorisation code.

8.  As part of my code of practice I am required to carry out continuing professional development, and to engage in regular on-going clinical supervision. This is to ensure an ethical and professional service to clients. I may discuss your case in supervision but would not use any identifying details.

9.  If I wish to record a session, for supervision purposes, I will ask you first and we will sign to say this has been agreed.

10. Confidentiality will be maintained within the codes of ethics and legal requirements. Confidentiality does not apply where it would mean that I, as your therapist, might break the law or where withholding information means I would breach the codes of ethics. Confidentiality may be breached if I consider there is a risk you may harm yourself or others. In such exceptional circumstances, where there is concern for your well-being or that of others, it may be necessary to seek help outside the therapeutic relationship. In such an event, where I am considering breaching confidentiality, you will normally be consulted first.

11. In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism, vulnerable adult or child protection issues or drug trafficking, confidentiality will be breached, and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as I am obligated to contact relevant authorities.

12. Our therapeutic relationship will always remain a professional one, the boundaries of which (such as contact outside of our sessions) can be agreed between us during our sessions.

13. Notes may be taken during and after each session, which will be kept in accordance with the GDPR (General DATA Protection Regulation) 2018. Currently, I am using Writeupp, which is an electronic note system to further protect your information.  These notes will also be kept for 7 years due to insurance purposes. Previous or written  notes will be securely stored. I will discuss the disposal, retention or otherwise of any such notes at the end of our engagement. They are disclosed to no one other than the clinical supervisor, unless required under a court of law. You have the right to inspect your records should you so wish, and this request will be fulfilled during a therapy session.  For insurance purposes, your notes will be kept for a period of 7 years before being destroyed.  I will keep any other details stored electronically e.g. telephone number on my work mobile for one month, after discharge, and then they will be removed/destroyed.

14.  You may contact myself via mobile phone 07746829174, email juliebarfoot@julie.barfoottalkingtherapies.co.uk or via my website www.juliebarfoottalkingtherapies.co.uk. Please be aware that my mobile will not be available from 8am until 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If you require an answer, this will be on an evening or a weekend. You can also access mental health helplines e.g. out of hours service for general enquiries about physical/mental health on 111, mental health helpline  0333 0000 3099,  Samaritans 0845 790 9090,  SANEline  0845 767 8000 (1pm – 11pm, 24 national domestic violence helpline  0808 200247.  Please remember that my service is not a crisis service and you need to contact the crisis team, if you are in immediate danger due to self harm or suicidal ideation in your area e.g. Middlesbrough 01642 680706, Stockton 01642 524714, Hartlepool 01429 285858, Redcar & Cleveland 01642 838300. If you have self harmed, in fear of violence (by you or against you), need immediate medical assistance then ring 999 or attend A &E department at your local hospital.

15. If agreed payments for therapy are not being paid then I reserve the right to terminate therapy.

16. If cancellation fees are not paid, within a two-week period, another appointment will not be made, and therapy will be terminated.

17. Endings – CBT & EMDR can at times be demanding, frustrating, and emotional. You may at times find this process difficult and feel the need to end therapy. Your feedback on the process will be asked for at the end of each session and if you feel unhappy with any aspects of the treatment being offered, please do try and communicate this verbally. This gives us both the chance to address and resolve engagement issues.  In the normal course of events, you will probably know when you are ready to finish CBT/EMDR, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this.

18. I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of the/our work together. This would be fully discussed at that time. Please note any threats or acts of violence will invalidate this agreement and CBT/EMDR will cease. Sessions will not take place if you arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed medication.

19. You will be notified of any holidays to be taken by myself well in advance. However, there may also be occasions when sessions may be cancelled because of illness or because of attending training sessions or meetings. I will try to give you as much notice as possible of any cancellation and will offer an alternative time. Therefore, please notify any change in your contact details.

20. If you have been referred by an outside agency, for example a solicitor or insurance company and there is a pending court case – for example if you have been injured as a result of a road accident, I draw your attention to the fact that under the GDPR 2018, I may be obliged to supply copies of our therapy records to a requesting appropriate party providing you consent.

21. In the event of you being unhappy with the service you receive, please discuss this with me. If you feel unable to do so or do not receive satisfactory resolution, then you have the right to complain to my professional body, the BABCP.

Therapists & Clients consent

SIGNED   …………………………                                   DATED…………………

THERAPIST.

SIGNED ………………………….                                   DATED…………………….

CLIENT.

Please Add Your Details to the copy of the contract: -

Full name……………………………………………………………            

DOB ……………………………

Address……………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Telephone Contact………………………………………………………………

Email address……………………………………………………………………….

 Next of kin details (for use in emergency circumstances e.g. illness during sessions)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Please advise of your preferred method of contact for reminders of appointments e.g. text, email, telephone

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you and I look forward to working together!