Psychotherapy Working Agreement
1. The Service/Process
1.1. Psychotherapy consists of structured sessions, usually weekly but sometimes less frequently as discussed on an individual basis.
1.2. It includes initial assessment, treatment planning, risk assessment, selecting interventions, signposting and assistance in applying strategies to manage different areas of your life, including: self-image, health, career, study, relationships, family, personal growth, recreation and physical environment.
2. Therapist & Client Responsibilities
2.1. The therapist agrees to deliver the services with reasonable care and skill, consistent with reasonable practices, standards
and ethical codes of conduct in line with UKATA and UKCP.
2.2. Sessions last for 50 minutes. Both therapist and client agree to respect the time boundary of the sessions. The therapist agrees to take responsibility for keeping to the time boundary of the sessions.
2.3. Both therapist and client agree to take responsibility for the process.
2.4. Both therapist and client agree to communicate clearly, honestly, respectfully and with compassion.
2.5. Both therapist and client agree not to attend any session whilst under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Sessions & Charges
3.1. The therapist offers sessions on an open-ended basis until either party decides to end the sessions by giving a minimum of 48 hours’ notice.
3.2. The client agrees to pay £65 per session (unless agreed otherwise) and that payment will be requested via secure software in advance of the first session. The client agrees that the card details provided will be stored on secure software and payment for subsequent sessions will be automatically taken straight after each session.
3.3. If client and therapist agree to working together after the initial assessment, the client agrees to committing to at least three therapy sessions.
3.5. If the client needs to cancel a session, the therapist asks for 48 hours’ notice or else the session will still be charged (except at the therapist’s discretion, the absence is deemed due to unforeseeable circumstances).
3.6. The therapist agrees to give the client as much notice as possible of their absences.
3.7 The client agrees that the therapist may contact them via email and phone (including text message and voicemail).
3.8. The client agrees that any notes and data on the sessions will be kept on a secure, confidential database.
4. Confidentiality, Data & Communications
4.1. The client accepts that in order to benefit from the delivery of the therapy, they will be encouraged to disclose personal data and/or confidential information.
4.2. The client and therapist agree to create a confidential environment in which to have sessions. Both the client and therapist agree not to tape sessions unless prior agreement from both parties has been received.
4.3. Where the processing of personal data takes place, the therapist will only process data to the extent reasonably required to enable proper delivery of the therapy.
4.4. The therapist will only retain personal data for as long as is necessary to allow completion and delivery of the therapy.
4.5. The therapist agrees not to disclose any personal data to any third party and agrees to process the data in compliance with the relevant data protection legislation, namely the GDPR. The therapist has put in place reasonable processes and measures to ensure the safety and security of any personal data processed. For details as to how personal data will be processed please refer to the Privacy Notice
4.6. The client understands that all therapy sessions are confidential. There are however, limits to confidentiality outside the organisation if:
· there is a risk of serious harm to the client or others
· the organisation is ordered to disclose information by a Court
· the client’s GP needs to be made aware of risk issues because of a risk of serious harm
The therapist confirms that by providing the payment link for the initial session, they agree to the above conditions
The client confirms that upon paying for the first therapy session, they agree to the above conditions