Ups and Down of Counselling

It is good for you to be aware that counselling involves a personal relationship between you and the counsellor. The counsellor aims to come alongside you to provide support in accomplishing your individual goals. The trust established often leads to sharing information that can be personal or painful and it is very normal for this to be unsettling. Thinking about what other supports you can draw on, (ie family and friends), can be helpful preparation for counselling. Sometimes the nature of being unsettled relates to how other relationships in your life are impacted by your experience of counselling and decisions you face as a result. The counsellor is there to support you through this process.

If at any time you have questions about the methods being employed or feel dissatisfied with the process, please discuss this as early as possible with the counsellor.

Confidentiality

The content of sessions and keeping of records is confidential, confined to the counsellor you work with. All files are stored digitally and held securely. Exceptions to this confidentiality include; concern for your safety or the safety of another person, a subpoena for records to be released for legal purposes and professional supervision required by our professional body.

If a counselor suspects family violence, sexual abuse or neglect of a child, abuse against a person with a disability or the elderly, then reporting to the appropriate state agency is a mandatory requirement.

In the event where you request information sharing with another professional (such as a GP) or when it is agreed upon in consultation with you, then your consent in writing will be obtained specifically for this purpose.

If you are under 18 years old, written permission from a parent / guardian, will be required.

In order to provide you with the best possible care, it may become apparent that referral to a more appropriate person / professional is necessary. Once again this would be organized in consultation with you.