Client Agreement
This form explains the commitment you are making by attending this counselling. By attending sessions, you indicate that you understand and agree with these terms. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel welcome to discuss them at your session.
Financial responsibility
The services offered by Laura Apolo are for private clients only, therefore fees for counselling sessions are your responsibility and are not claimable through Medicare, Workcover, or Private Health Insurance. Rates are subject to change, and you will be notified of any changes prior to any charges being incurred.
Fees are to be paid prior to, or at the beginning of each session. Fees are non-refundable, however, subject to approval, may be transferred to an alternate appointment time. If you have any concerns about fees, charges, or making payment, please get in touch to discuss as soon as possible. Financial matters can usually be sorted out with good communication and commitment.
Cancellation policy
When cancelling or changing an appointment booking, if more than 48 hours notice is given, no charge will be incurred. If less than 48 hours notice is given, a cancellation fee of $50 may be charged to your account. Counselling services can only be continued if your account is up to date.
Informed consent
Counselling is a working co-operative relationship between you and your counsellor. Each of us has responsibilities so that you can get the most out of your counselling experience. As your counsellor, I will contribute knowledge, expertise and understanding, as well as provide a safe and supportive environment. You have the responsibility to bring an attitude of commitment and collaboration to the therapeutic process. While there are no guarantees regarding the outcome of your counselling, your commitment to it will greatly increase the benefits you gain from it.
Counselling has both benefits and risks. Risks may include uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, helplessness, and feeling misunderstood. This is because the counselling process often involves discussing difficult and unpleasant aspects of life. However, counselling often leads to a significant reduction in negative and uncomfortable feelings as you progress through the process. It also often leads to greater self-awareness, insights, increased confidence, improved interpersonal skills, and resolutions to specific problems.
Counselling requires a very active effort on your part. In order to get the most out of it, you’ll need to be willing to try new things, and to look at things in new ways. It can, and will likely take a number of sessions for you to begin seeing beneficial results from counselling.
Our first few sessions are focused on getting to know each other, building the counselling relationship, and assessing what issues to focus on. At our 4th or 5th session, we will regroup and discuss how well this style of counselling is working for you, and how you would like to progress with your counselling sessions.
Please note that all of our discussions are confidential, and I will only share information in special circumstances, such as:
i. When you have given your permission to do so, or
ii. I am concerned that you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, or
iii. I am required by law to provide information (such as under a subpoena)
If, at any time, you would like to stop counselling or be referred to another counsellor, you are free to do so. As a courtesy, you are asked to please advise of your decision.