Online Consent & Registration Form
The purpose of this consent form is to ensure you are aware of relevant processes and procedures related to seeking counselling services.
Collection and storage of your information
As part of providing a counselling service to you, your counsellor will need to collect and record personal information that is relevant to your current situation. This information will be a necessary part of the assessment and treatment that is conducted. This information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables your counsellor to provide a relevant and informed counselling service. All client information is stored in accordance with the Victoria Health Records Act (2001).
Confidentiality
All information disclosed within sessions is confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without written permission except where disclosure is permitted or required by law. These situations include, but are not limited to: (a) when there is reasonable suspicion of abuse to a child or to a dependent or elder adult; (b) when a client is at risk of harm to others; (c) when a client is at risk of harm to themselves; or (d) when disclosure is required pursuant to a legal proceeding.
If you would like your counsellor to discuss your information with another health professional or other relevant person they will request you complete a written consent form.
In order to maintain their registration with an accredited body, counsellors are required to engage in professional supervision and peer consultation throughout their career. This may involve discussing clients in a non-identifiable way.
Emergency services
Please be aware that Collaboration Counselling does not provide emergency services. If you require immediate assistance, please call 000 or for phone support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Session length
Sessions are approximately 50 minutes.
SMS reminders
SMS reminders are usually sent around 48 hours before appointments. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please text, call, or email.
Cancelling or rescheduling appointments
Collaboration Counselling has a 24-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy. This means if you cancel or change your appointment within 24 hours, unless there is an emergency, you will be charged half of the fee for this session. By giving us more than 24 hours of notice you allow us enough time to offer your appointment to other clients who may be in need.
Fees and rebates
Your counsellor’s fees are $120 for business hours appointments and $135 for after-hours appointments.
Payment
Payment is required on the day of your session. Payment method is by bank transfer. Collaboration Counselling’s bank details will be emailed to you.
Telehealth services
Telehealth sessions are any sessions conducted via phone or online video.
Limitations of Telehealth services
The privacy of any form of communication via the internet is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology used.
A Telehealth consultation may be subject to limitations such as an unstable network connection which may affect the quality of the counselling session. In addition, there may be some situations for which Telehealth is not appropriate or effective. If this the case, your counsellor will consider and discuss with you the appropriateness of ongoing Telehealth sessions.
Like face-to-face sessions, it is important that Telehealth sessions are conducted in a private and confidential space (unless otherwise agreed upon), where you are the only person present.
Completing this form
If you understand and agree with what is outlined above, please complete this form prior to your first session with your counsellor. If you have any questions that you would like to ask before completing the form, please bring these along to your first session and your counsellor will be happy to answer them.