Therapy Contract

Sessions

The client receives a link to a video call. The call is not recorded. The client will need to be ready to connect at the agreed time for sessions. If there is an unexpected delay, the client is requested to get in touch with the Psychologist via email to advise of such. 

Sessions are 50-60 minutes long, unless previously agreed and confirmed by the Psychologist.

Fees

Fees must be paid in advance of any session starting. Receipts can be provided as requested. 

Late or missed sessions and cancellations

If a client is late attending the session, the therapist will stay online for 20 minutes and will get in touch with the client via email. If the client does not make contact by this time, the session will be considered missed and will be cancelled. The fee will be retained as a cancellation fee. If a client is late attending, the session will still end on the original finish time to accommodate other client sessions. 

A client may cancel/reschedule an appointment, if they give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice by email e.g. if a session is due to begin at 11am and a client wishes to cancel/re-schedule, they need to contact their therapist before 11am the day before. Notice of cancellation for a session on a Monday must be sent by Friday (Saturday and Sunday are not counted).

Session environment

Therapy is best conducted in a safe, private environment. The client is requested, for their own therapeutic benefit, to ensure they are in such an environment for the duration of the session. It is requested that all client devices are set to “Do Not Disturb”, so as to ensure a focused environment. 

The client is requested to refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs before sessions. 

The client should do their utmost to ensure they have access to a strong internet connection for the duration of the session. At times, there can be difficulties with internet connections for reasons beyond anyone’s control. If this persists beyond a minute or two, the therapist will contact the client via phone call (or, if this is not possible, by email). 

Confidentiality

The work conducted during online therapy is confidential. The Psychologist will ensure that all information is kept safe and protected. Clients are requested to do the same.

Circumstances in which the Psychologist may break confidentiality are rare. These circumstances are guided by the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Code of Professional Ethics. A need for breaking confidentiality focuses on keeping clients and others safe from harm. As part of the ethical requirement to keep best practice, the Psychologist may bring anonyimised case discussions to an Individual Supervisor or Group Supervision sessions.

Records are kept in line with the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Guidelines for Confidentiality and Record Keeping in Practice and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Further details of policies and procedures can be discussed and requested in a written format from the Psychologist.