The Therapy Contract comprises two parts: an email template with details specific to your client and a second separate document with standard text outlining the focus for therapy, how it will be conducted, therapeutic boundaries and ends with explaining the benefits and limitations of online therapy.
Online Therapy Contract
The Therapy Contract comprises two parts: an email template with details specific to your client and a second separate document with standard text outlining the focus for therapy, how it will be conducted, therapeutic boundaries and ends with explaining the benefits and limitations of online therapy. Together they enable you to gain informed consent from your client to engage in online or in person therapy.
This contract applies to both face to face and online therapy as there is a sub-section on online therapy for those clients who are receiving therapy that way. I don’t use separate contracts because:
a) less onerous for those clients who see me both online and face to face
b) less admin for me
c) it is unnecessary as the single document contains appropriate information for both situations
Price: £20
Who is it for?
- For face to face clients
- For online clients
When is this completed?
At the end of the assessment phase and when we are ready to start therapy.
What does it contain?
The document starts with some introductory text you can use in an email when you send out the contract. This email acts as an adjunct to the standard text featured in the main contract document. You can use this email template to tailor the contract to your client.
The combined document includes the client’s individual focus for therapy, how many sessions we contract initially, when we’ll review, when and how we meet and what my fee will be. The contract also explains the benefits and drawbacks of online therapy and what my personal therapeutic approach is, what I expect of them and what they can expect of me. There is a statement about dual relationships and boundaries, social media contact outside the therapeutic relationship and finally their informed consent is gained to participate in therapy sessions. When consenting, clients are directed to read my Terms and Conditions and Social Media and Communications and Audio-Visual recordings Policies on my website.
Headings are:
Introductory customisable email template as adjunct to main contract:
- Focus for the work and client’s presenting problem
- Fee
- The regular time that is reserved for your client and your expectations around attendance (weekly etc)
- Modality (video call, telephone, chat, face to face etc) and electronic platform used to communicate (Zoom etc)
- Number of sessions agreed and when/how often the contract will be reviewed
- How you take payment and your terms regarding cancellation.
Standard text in main Therapy Contract:
- About therapy
- My commitment to you
- Your commitment to me
- My approach
- Boundaries and dual relationships
- For those who are seeing me online: Benefits and limitations of online therapy
- Consent to partcipate in therapy sessions
What format does the document come in?
- Microsoft Word Template: Editable and unbranded so you can add your own branding
