British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy
They include the fees you pay, the time of your appointments, the frequency of sessions and what you and your counsellor expect from each other. All sessions will be conducted in confidence and may be recorded on audiotape (only with your informed consent).
A ‘ counselling contract ‘ (or a ‘ counselling agreement ‘) is a mutual agreement between the counsellor and the client in which the outline of the therapeutic working alliance is presented. The counselling contract does not need to be a lengthy document.
How Therapists Can Strengthen the Therapeutic Alliance Help the client feel more welcome. Know that relationships take time. Never judge the client. Manage your own emotions. Talk about what the client wants from therapy . Ask more or different questions. Don’t make the client feel rejected. Refer to another therapist.
In fact, a contract is a legally binding document that sets out an offer (of therapy), which is accepted (by the client) for what is known as ‘mutual consideration’. This means that there is an advantage for both parties, which might be making life changes for the client and some kind of advantage for the practitioner.
Counselors must deal with a variety of ethical issues and dilemmas. Six ethical principles underlie ethical counseling practice; they are autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity (Box 5.1).
Boundaries are agreed limits, within which psychological safety is provided, and it is the responsibility of the therapist to maintain them. They may also be seen as implicit and explicit ‘rules’ which are part of the formal nature of all therapy. They protect both clients and therapists.
How to Set Boundaries with Clients in a Therapeutic Setting : A Guide for New Therapists Limit Self-Disclosure. Establish Rules. Do Not Treat Friends and Family. Do Not Engage in Romantic or Sexual Relationships with Clients . Avoid Social Media Interactions With Clients . Avoid Meeting in Public Places.
Whatever, the reason you go to counselling for; whatever issues you have, the most vital aspect of counselling is a sound relationship with your counsellor . This means developing a good rapport, gaining a sense of confidence and feeling that your counsellor is really able to listen and understand your needs.
The purpose of the session is to make an initial assessment of the client’s concerns, contributing factors, and coping strategies. The counselor will determine whether the Service can be of assistance. The counselor may make a referral to a local therapist or other practitioner when this is most appropriate.
The Three Types of Client -Therapy Relationships Visitors– These are individuals who come to therapy because someone else feels that they have a problem, and they may not agree that they have a problem. Complainants– This client is able to express that there is a problem. Customers– This is the ideal client .
Edward Bordin, defined a good therapeutic relationship as consisting of three essential qualities: an emotional bond of trust, caring, and respect; agreement on the goals of therapy ; and collaboration on the “work” or tasks of the treatment.
In order that the client feels comfortable in expressing him/herself in an uninhibited way, the relationship between the client and the counsellor needs to be built on reciprocal trust . It is the counsellor’s responsibility to provide a safe, confidential environment, and to offer empathy , understanding and respect .
Similar to other forms of contracts , the therapeutic contract is a formal agreement between two parties. Within the contract , clear responsibilities, roles, and expectations are outlined for both the client and the counselor. In contemporary counseling practice, ethical and legal challenges are inevitable.