Don’t Panic - Plan
I wonder how your second week of online practice has been? NCS Registrant Suzie Mosson, a director of Online Training for Counsellors, has some expert advice for practitioners making this move. Whethe...
The Importance of a Counselling Contract
A counselling contract (also known as a counselling agreement) is a mutual understanding between the counsellor and the client that outlines the expectations and responsibilities within the therapeutic relationship. It forms the foundation of a safe, professional, and ethical counselling process, ensuring both parties are clear on the terms of engagement.
By contracting in counselling, both counsellor and client can work within agreed boundaries, which helps to build trust and transparency. A well-structured counselling contract ensures clarity and sets the stage for informed consent, allowing the client to understand the therapeutic process fully before proceeding.
Why is a Counselling Contract Necessary?
A counselling contract plays a critical role in establishing the guidelines for the counselling process. It outlines the responsibilities of both the counsellor and the client, providing a framework for how the sessions will proceed. Having a clear counselling agreement prevents misunderstandings and ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding confidentiality, session terms, and payment.
A written counselling contract template provides not only clarity but also a legal safeguard, ensuring that the terms of the contract can be referenced if needed. According to the NCPS Code of Ethics, presenting this in writing is highly recommended to maintain transparency in the counselling relationship.
Verbal and Written Counselling Contracts
In many cases, the key points of the counselling contract are discussed verbally before the first session. This allows the client to ask questions, clarify any terms, and ensure they are comfortable with the process. Once these details are understood and agreed upon, the counsellor typically provides a written counselling agreement for both parties to sign.
A sample counselling contract can serve as a useful starting point, covering essential elements such as confidentiality, payment terms, and the nature of the counselling work. It’s important that the contract remains flexible enough to adapt to the individual needs of each client, particularly regarding session length or the number of sessions agreed upon.
Key Elements of a Counselling Contract
While there are no strict requirements for what a counselling contract must include, most counselling contract templates contain the following elements:
- Nature of Counselling Work: A brief description of the therapeutic approach or modality being used, noting that progress is regularly reviewed and that the process may involve some emotional discomfort before improvement.
- Number of Sessions: The initial number of sessions agreed upon, with the flexibility to adjust based on the client's needs.
- Session Details: Information on where and when sessions will be held (e.g., online or in person), including frequency and duration.
- Fees and Payment Terms: Clearly defined session fees, payment methods, and terms for when payment is due.
- Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy: The notice period required for cancellations or rescheduling, typically 24-48 hours, and any charges for late cancellations.
- Confidentiality: An explanation of the confidentiality agreement, including any legal or ethical reasons where confidentiality may need to be breached (e.g., safeguarding concerns).
- Termination of Counselling: Details regarding the circumstances under which counselling may be terminated before completion, including conflicts of interest or ethical considerations.
- Record Keeping and Data Protection: How session notes and personal data will be stored securely, in compliance with GDPR and relevant privacy regulations.
Flexible Contracting in Counselling
While a counselling contract template provides structure, it is essential to keep parts of the contract flexible to accommodate different clients. For example, the number of sessions or specific session times may vary depending on the client’s schedule or therapeutic progress.
Flexibility is also important when working with specific client groups, such as children or vulnerable adults, where additional consent may be needed from parents, guardians, or third parties.
