Hello and Welcome
This document explains the Counselling and Psychotherapy process, and the rights and responsibilities of both the counsellor (me) and the client (you).
Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy
My training is in Person-Centred Counselling and Process-Oriented Psychology. These therapies aim to offer a warm and understanding environment in which you can feel free to discuss your concerns without fear of judgement. I trust that your own process will be your best guide and that you are the best person to know what is right for you.
Concerns you might like to bring to your sessions include stress, anxiety, parenting, relationships, grief and loss, life transitions…in short, anything that is disturbing you, or that you would like to talk about.
Counselling is generally helpful in addressing current concerns, often offering strategies for addressing short term goals.
Psychotherapy usually focuses on longer term issues, looking beneath the surface, exploring the “roots” of your concerns.
How I Work
Process-Oriented Psychology follows the flow of an experience to find resolution and personal growth, facilitating lifelong change. In a session I may invite you to follow dreams, body symptoms, myths, symbols, culture, and history as ways to access a sense of meaning from a conflict or disturbance.
Your Counselling and Psychotherapy Sessions
Individual Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy sessions will usually last about 50 minutes. Please allow up to 90 minutes for Couples Counselling sessions. We will start with getting to know each other, before briefly exploring your life situations, and current concerns.
Subsequent sessions will focus on going more deeply into what brought you here. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, distressed, or have any questions, please let me know.
I will do my best to provide you with a supportive, non-judgemental space where you can feel accepted, heard, and feel safe to raise any issues that are concerning you. If I feel I am not the right person for you, I will let you know, and we can discuss your options.
How Many sessions do I Need?
I suggest planning for up to 6 sessions initially. Then we can review your progress, and depending on how you are feeling, you can decide how you would like to continue.
My Qualifications
I hold an accredited Post-Graduate Certificate in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy (Metavision Institute, 2017). I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with PACFA, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and adhere to their Code of Ethics.
Confidentiality and Record Keeping
The content of your sessions will be kept confidential except when it appears that you are at risk of harming either yourself or others, have criminal intent or provide information about a child at risk of abuse. In this case, I have a legal responsibility to disclose such information to relevant authorities, and my notes may be subject to subpoena and used in court.
I may make written notes during your session. These are kept as a record of your session, and are solely for my use. They will be kept in a locked filing cabinet.
I am not able to provide in-depth reports on sessions, give opinions/advice or offer diagnoses.
While I recognise that we may come in contact outside your Counselling sessions, I will respect your privacy and if we meet by chance in a social setting, we can acknowledge each other, but we will not discuss any issues arising from your Counselling sessions.
Fees
I expect payment at the commencement of each session, and the agreed fee is $130 for 50 minutes.
Cancellations
When you make an appointment, I will reserve this time slot for you. Appointments cancelled with less that 24 hours notice will incur a cancellation fee of 100%.
Emergency Contact
I will only be available for contact during normal business hours. If I am busy with a client, I may not be able to answer my phone, so please text or email, and I will try to respond as soon as possible.
In an emergency I suggest you either contact your GP, your local hospital (Moruya 4474 2666), Lifeline 131114, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, Mensline 1300 789 978 or call Emergency support on 000.
Agreement
I have read and understood the above information, and agree to the terms explained above:
Signature (client 1_____________________________________________ Date _____________
Signature (client 2)_____________________________________________ Date _____________
Signature Rosalind Veness (Counsellor)___________________________ Date _____________