Welcome to my practice.
Thank you for the opportunity to connect. Participating in therapy is a courageous step towards leading a more authentic and meaningful life. I truly look forward to working with you.
Please read the following carefully and ask if anything is unclear or requires further explanation. Whilst it is important you are aware of terms of service, please know that should you find this amount of information overwhelming at this point, you can remove this pressure as we shall discuss this agreement within our first session.
My Commitment
When you enter into therapy with me, you are committing to a space of depth-orientated Self-reflection and growth. The session space is yours until you decide to end your therapy.
I am deeply committed to your recovery, growth, and psychological safety. This is ultimately supported by the level of commitment you make to yourself, both in your individual sessions and self-care practices at home.
Benefits
There is a growing database of evidence to support the efficacy of psychotherapy. Long-term therapy has specifically been shown to promote long term benefits. Such specifically includes interpersonal dynamics and how we have learned to relate to people throughout our lifetime. That is, not simply a change in thought patterns, rather the benefits include more integrated functioning between the various domains of being (physiologically, psychologically, and relationally). Aside from the research, I have seen this in both my personal and professional experience. In some of the journey’s I have been blessed to be included in I have witnessed remarkable changes. With wisdom however, I do acknowledge that whilst there is much to be gained, it can certainly be a challenging journey that takes courage and commitment. Please remember, if this therapy doesn’t feel right for you, that is ok. There are other types that may be more suited to you.
How Therapy Works
Whilst the type of therapy is important, evidence shows it is the relationship you build with the therapist which is the ultimate healing factor. Regular therapy supports and holds this relationship. It also provides a safe and secure base to explore your inner and outer world. Regularity and continuity are important as they keep your process moving, hold you psychologically and underline the deep commitment that you have made to yourself.
The Therapeutic Relationship
My intentions are for you and I to work in compassionate collaboration. I acknowledge that you are the expert within your own life, and with your permission I first and foremost work with you in compassionately unfolding, with a depth of understanding, the nature of your concerns (the issues that bring you to counselling) and the context of these concerns within your life and history.
As we work together, we shall move toward bringing in new ways of understanding these concerns, creating a sense of environmental, intrapersonal, and interpersonal safety and stability, whilst also developing new ways of coping and establishing a strengthened authentic sense of Self.
We will work toward creating a secure relational space which allows for the emergence of an internal sense trust in your Self. This includes a facilitation of Self-concept, Self-efficacy, Self-esteem, and Self-expression.
Whilst I bring into the relationship a depth of experience, practice wisdom, and evidence-based knowledge, it is your own personal wisdom, knowledge, and ever-emerging authenticity that shall enable your progress toward integrated well-being. To this extent I ask for you to take accountability for your own progress – only you hold the power to change. My role as a therapist is to actively guide you and to provide you with the knowledge and skills to make the changes you desire.
I have found from my own experience that the benefits of psychotherapy come when self-compassion and a continued desire for change occurs between sessions. For this reason, I may offer you activities or suggestions that can be undertaken to maximise the integration of your learning. I always invite you to collaborate with me and specifically welcome you to provide feedback on what works and what does not work for you.
Risks
Please note that you may experience uncomfortable feelings throughout your therapy. This is normal if you have been estranged from your emotional life. Our work together will help you to increase your window of tolerance for such feelings. I encourage you to let me know if you ever feel uncomfortable. We can pause at any time and go at your own pace.
Session Structure and Investment
Frequency of Sessions
Unless otherwise discussed, we shall aim to meet at the same agreed time, day and venue each week/fortnight. Sessions run for 60 minutes. At any stage in your therapy, you may require extra support – this is normal – many people attend therapy more than once a week. If we agree to extra sessions, the same terms and conditions apply to subsequent sessions.
Sickness, Cancellation & Missed Appointments
The cancellation period is 48 hours’ notice; should you wish to reschedule or cancel your appointment within the 48-hours prior to the appointment you will incur a half session charge to accommodate for lost income and room charges. I may at times choose to wave this fee where applicable.
Please be mindful, you are enrolling in a course of therapy and this policy allows me to keep your place open for you until you make a decision to end your therapy. In the case of cancellation please transfer the session fee on the usual day or bring your payment with you to the following session.
When cancelling sessions – please notify me via text or email. If you cannot connect for any reason, the 48-hour cancellation fee applies. If you know in advance that you will be unable to make your session, I will try my best to reschedule you in at another time in the same week – however, this may not always be possible.
If last minute cancellations occur on 3 occasions within a short period of time, we will explore together whether there are any underlying concerns about therapy, how you are feeling about therapy, and whether now is the right time for you.
Please note that if you are late, or I charge you a cancellation fee, I spend your usual session time in self-supervision or I read a relevant topic that will support our work together. This is what is referred to in psychotherapy as ‘holding space’. If you have something specific you would like me to read or research, please let me know. This makes for deep and rich work on your return.
Fees & Payment
Therapy sessions are $120 per hour unless otherwise agreed upon. I invoice prior to our therapy session, where payment is to direct debited into my account the day of the session. My fee structure is reviewed annually.
Investing in psychotherapy is ultimately about placing value and worth in yourself. If your financial situation changes or you find yourself having concerns about the money side of therapy, do feel free to bring any concerns to your sessions and we can spend time working through this together.
Ending Therapy
In starting therapy, you begin a process that is focused on symptom reduction (beginning phase). Therapy then moves more toward Self-exploration and Self-development (working phase). When the time is right for you, we begin to move toward closure (ending phase). As we are all unique beings these phases do not have a predetermined timeframe; at the same time, it is important that it is articulated when the process is moving toward an ending. As such, it is important that when you feel you are ready to terminate your regular connection, we will open discussion and move toward a therapeutic ending.
Remember however, you can terminate your therapy at any time and for any reason. If you feel like ending all of a sudden or after a session that might have been challenging or painful, my recommendation is to reach out and talk to me about it so that we can work through it together.
Your feelings matter. If you think you would like to end therapy, I recommend you allow one session’s notice within the first 6-week initial contract. After 6 weeks, the ending recommendation is at least 3 sessions’ notice. Allowing time for an ending honour the work undertaken and gives you an opportunity to properly review and conclude your therapy.
Endings can be difficult. Ending in a relational manner is another opportunity for you to work through things differently.
Contact Outside of Session
The best way to contact me is via email or text message.
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000)
Suicide 24/7 Helpline
13 11 14
Suicide Text Line
0477 13 11 14
Privacy & Ethical Codes
Confidentiality
I hold the contents of the sessions to be confidential; however, please note that I receive regular clinical supervision where I may discuss issues that arise in our therapy sessions. Clinical supervision is also bound by rules of confidentiality. If I believe you are in danger of harming yourself or others and/or engaged in criminal activity I am obliged to make contact with the appropriate external agencies, however, I undertake discuss this with you in the first instance. Although rare, you should be aware that a court may order my testimony if it determines that the issues demand it.
Privacy
Your privacy rights are important to me. I am committed to providing quality services to you and my privacy policy outlines my ongoing obligations to you in respect to how I manage your Personal Information. Please see the Privacy Policy for more details pertaining to access, maintenance, security and disclosure of information.
Code of Ethics
I am a member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. I adhere to their Code of Ethics. See: http://www.pacfa.org.au/. If you are ever dissatisfied with anything that has arisen in your therapy, please talk with me so that I can respond to your concerns. I will take your feedback seriously, with care and respect. If you feel that I have breached my code of ethics, you can contact PACFA via the link above.
Further to this, I am deeply committed to my own psychological wellbeing via self-care, ongoing therapy, continued professional development and clinical supervision.
Social Media
I do not accept friend requests from clients during or after therapy. This is to avoid dual relationships and to adhere to my ethical code of conduct. I do not engage in any kind of advice giving or online therapy through my social media pages – they are merely to provide resources to the public. If you follow my social media pages, please be aware that likes, follows and comments may appear in your news feed. Your privacy is of utmost importance to me. Again, please read my separate Privacy Policy for further information on social media engagement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to bring them to my attention.
