CONTRACTS IN COUNSELLING Unit 1: Counselling-Ethics and Practice CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS AND THEORY

What is a contract in counselling? It is an agreement between the counsellor and client which can be verbal or written, and establishes from the beginning of the counselling relationship what is involved, and what the counsellor can offer the client It is an agreement between the counsellor and client which can be verbal or written, and establishes from the beginning of the counselling relationship what is involved, and what the counsellor can offer the client

The contract There are two parts to a counselling contract. Firstly, the business aspect is discussed with the client including cost, duration, confidentiality etc. Secondly, the therapeutic aspect in which the counsellor outlines the approach that will be used in the counselling process

The business contract 1.The cost/fees charged and how these can be paid. 2. How the counsellor and client can be contacted, when 3. How many sessions are on offer when/where/duration etc? Is the contact open-ended or time limited?

4. What happens if the client does not attend a session? Is there a charge for missed sessions? How many sessions can be missed before the place will be given to someone else?

Business cont… 5. The Confidentiality Agreement and its limitations. It is vital that this is discussed at the beginning of the contract to clarify what confidentiality you are able to offer the client. 6. Note keeping - Clients have the right under the Data Protection Act (1998) to have access to their notes (written or taped). have access to their notes (written or taped).

The therapeutic contract This is where to approach used is discussed with the client e.g. Cognitive behavioural therapy, Transactional Analysis, Psychodynamic, Humanistic This is where to approach used is discussed with the client e.g. Cognitive behavioural therapy, Transactional Analysis, Psychodynamic, Humanistic

Why is important to have boundaries? The need for clear boundaries is vital in counselling relationship and will help to alleviate any harm to the client or counsellor. If this does not happen then clients can get upset as they may feel that they are not getting what they expected from the counselling. This is often caused by a failure to be clear in the original agreement. The need for clear boundaries is vital in counselling relationship and will help to alleviate any harm to the client or counsellor. If this does not happen then clients can get upset as they may feel that they are not getting what they expected from the counselling. This is often caused by a failure to be clear in the original agreement.

Counsellors need to be: be working within their level of competence and be qualified and working under supervision. be committed to receiving continual professional development, as well as looking after their own physical and emotional wellbeing. be committed to receiving continual professional development, as well as looking after their own physical and emotional wellbeing.