Informed Consent / Confidentiality / Basic Information.

COUNSELLING AGREEMENT - INFORMED CONSENT

Any information written on these pages is only read/viewed by your counsellor.

Nature of Counselling

As the client, I understand that the counselling process will involve learning to understand myself and assist in clarifying problems, goals and objectives. New Life Counselling & Training only counsel those whom they believe have the capacity to resolve their own challenges/situations/problems with the provided assistance.

The counselling process will follow a specific model, and although eclectic in nature, incorporates the concept of our assumptions and beliefs driving our self-talk, which in turn drives our emotions and then actions. Objectively examining the assumptions we have formed throughout life will allow clients to see whether these assumptions and beliefs are accurate or not. Changing negative thought patterns then impacts on every other area of our life.

The process of self-awareness, problem-solving and cognitive restructuring can, for certain clients, take some time to achieve. Some clients need only a couple of counselling sessions to achieve their goals, while others may require sessions over an extended period of time. Most clients would need a minimum of 2-4 sessions to work through their issues/concerns. As a client, you are in complete control and may end the counselling relationship at any point. New Life Counselling & Training will be supportive of your decision. If counselling is successful, you should feel that you are able to face life’s challenges in the future without further support or intervention. New Life Counselling & Training believes that clients should feel change by at latest the third session. If not, we will happily refer you to another professional.

Although the sessions may be very emotionally and psychologically intimate it is important for you to realise that the counselling relationship is strictly professional in nature. You will be best served during counselling to remember this and concentrate exclusively on your issues, concerns, problems and circumstances. I understand that anything my counsellor says to me is to be taken as merely a suggestion, which I am free to accept or reject.

If at any time you are dissatisfied with the services of New Life Counselling & Training, please discuss it with your counsellor. Should you require a referral to another professional, your counsellor will discuss this with you. If you believe that any professional conduct is inappropriate, you may report your complaints to the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Data Collation

The outcome of your counselling will be objectively monitored through the use of various questionnaires. These are completed prior to the first session, in the last session, and every second visit during your time of therapy. Information gathered from this questionnaire is only seen by your counsellor, and will be shared with you, to monitor the effectiveness of the counselling. Data gathered will be used in ongoing research, measuring the effectiveness of the counselling process/intervention. Please note, no personal or identifying information of any kind is divulged or included, only statistical data. Your confidentiality and anonymity is assured.

Fees and Cancellations

In return for a fee of $80 per session (payable on conclusion of each counselling session), New Life Counselling & Training agree to provide counselling services to you. You cannot have more than one session’s payment outstanding. In the event that you are unable to keep an appointment, please provide 24 hours (Monday-Friday) advance notice (eg cancelling Monday would require notification Friday). If this is not done you will incur a cancellation fee of $80. Counselling sessions are 60 minutes in duration.
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CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.

Throughout the counselling process, confidentiality is maintained for clients. This standard
procedure and practice is for all clients, regardless of age or background, except in the following
circumstances:

a) You instruct me to tell someone else and provide written permission of this
b) I determine you are a danger to yourself (eg self-harm or suicide), to others or someone is a danger to you
c) I am ordered by a court to disclose information
d) The law is going to be, or has been, broken
e) Abuse of children is a mandatory reporting offence which I am bound by law to report
f) For supervision purposes (information only shared in this instance, not names or details that
f) would in any way disclose or identify you, the client)

Where confidentiality cannot be maintained, as your counsellor I will take all steps possible to
inform/discuss my intention with you.


Your signature on this document indicates that you have read and understood this statement, and
any questions you have had about this statement have been answered to your satisfaction.


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To download a copy of the above document, please click on the appropriate link for your circumstance:

My child age 4-10 will be counselled (adult completes the forms only)

My child age 11-17 will be counselled (2 pages for child to complete, rest for adult to complete)

I am an adult (couples need to complete a copy each)