THERAPY CONTRACT
General Terms & Conditions

BEST SELF THERAPY : WIRRAL

​Delyth Cole, MBACP

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📚 Please read through to the end ..... it's an important part of the ethical framework and may seem like a bit of a faff but it really is there for the benefit of both you and me, it makes sure we both feel secure and understood in the therapeutic setting.

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Any questions don't hesitate to ask. 

🔏 General Therapy Contract between me, Delyth Cole, Therapist and You, the Client (s) 

The information below forms an agreement as to how we will work together either in-person or via online therapy, and outlines my professional obligations regarding confidentiality.

This is an informed consent form; you will be asked to sign the e-sign form below to show that you understand and agree to the contents before we can begin therapy.

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✧ MY THERAPIST RESPONSIBILITIES:

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• To be available at the agreed time & to start and end the session on time.

• To make sure my space is quiet, appropriate, and undisturbed.

• To maintain safe professional boundaries.

• To regard all contact and information as confidential ... unless I have reasonable doubt concerning your actual safety and the safety of others. (As per BACP ethical framework and guidelines) ... the actual exceptions to this confidentiality are disclosures of harm to self and others; acts of terrorism; drug trafficking; money laundering; child protection issues: depending on the circumstances of the disclosure, this would be discussed in the session before further action was taken.

• To keep any personal data & information locked away and in accordance with data protection act 1989, with only me having access. I do not keep any notes relating to our sessions, other than the appointments we book.

• To work within the BACP Ethical Framework, including regular supervision. I monitor my own practice through regular supervision and am committed to my own self-development. Casework may be discussed in supervision, but all clients remain totally anonymous.

• To review our therapeutic work and our therapeutic relationship regularly to ensure that work is progressing, and you are still getting what you need from the sessions.

• In the unusual event of me having to cancel, I will give you as much notice as possible and I will offer you an alternative appointment asap.

• Social Media - my Best Self Therapy social media platforms are meant to be a resource and you are welcome to follow them but I will not follow you back or engage in comments - this is to protect your confidentiality. There is no pressure to follow or unfollow, I want you to do what works best for you. 

• In Real Life - if we do accidentally meet up outside of the therapy setting, I will always wait for you to acknowledge me first, please be aware this is not out of rudeness but out of courtesy for you and your situation, and is part of the ethics and boundaries of therapy. Confidentiality is key.

✧ YOUR CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

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• Commitment to process - agreement to actively participate and engage in the therapeutic process and acknowledge the importance of honesty and openness.

• To attend the session punctually ... If you are late attending the session, I will stay for 15 minutes to allow for any eventualities. If you do not make contact within this time, the session will be considered missed and will be cancelled and you will be charged for this.

• If you are late attending the session, we will still have to end on the original time of the session so as not to affect the following client’s session.

• To, wherever possible, give 24 hours’ notice when cancelling/changing an appointment (or the full fee becomes payable)

• Communicating with me outside our agreed counselling sessions to be limited to making, changing, or cancelling an appointment unless by prior arrangement. It is not appropriate to engage socially, or post/share any written correspondence between us, on any social network, social or professional forums.

• If we do unintentionally meet outside of the therapy environment, I will always let you acknowledge me first due to our client confidentiality boundary.

• To be respectful to me and to not attend the session under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to dress appropriately for sessions.

• To discuss with me when you feel you are ready to end therapy or need to take a break from therapy.

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✧ Couples Therapy : In addition to the above ....

• The role of the therapist here is one of facilitator.

• Both partners must commit to attending all scheduled sessions together, or the sessions must be rearranged.

• Both partners agree to maintain confidentiality regarding the content of the sessions.

• No secrets policy - I will acknowledge any in-between session contact openly in the next couples counselling session and we can discuss further. 

• Both partners agree to communicate respectfully during sessions.

• Both partners will agree to actively participate in sessions and complete any assignments or exercises given by the therapist.

• Both partners will collaboratively set realistic and achievable goals for therapy.

• The therapist is not liable for personal outcomes or decisions made outside of therapy.

• Termination of therapy - mutual agreement or if one partner feels therapy is no longer beneficial.

• Therapy sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly, at an appropriate time they can tailed off and used on an ad hoc basis if needed. They can be conducted in-person or online via zoom, or a mix of both.

Couples Therapy - each partner needs to sign an E-Sign form below to show that you both individually agree to the terms and conditions set out here.

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... there is additional specific information for both Walk & Talk Therapy and Online Therapy via Zoom, please see below.