Please read all of this information prior to your first session
I have written these pages to minimise time spent explaining these ‘housekeeping’ issues at the outset of therapy. This is to save your time so we can proceed with the important stuff (what you want to talk about) more rapidly. However, it is still important that you understand this information so please read this page through to the end and take note of anything you are uncertain about or would like to discuss further.
If you don't or can't read these pages, that is fine, we will go through everything in your session.
If you don't or can't read these pages, that is fine, we will go through everything in your session.
Calm Mind Psychology Clinic Location
Please allow time to find a park and get to the clinic on time for your appointment at
2B Clarke Street, Crows Nest. *Note, it is NOT 2-4 Clarke St on the corner
See images below and note that the florist has now moved.
Paid parking is available on Clarke Street or 2 hours free parking in Hume Street or Holterman Street council carparks. Woolworths car park also has 2 hours free parking.
There are stairs up to the clinic, the bathroom is located off to the right and the clinic entrance to off to the left.
If my door is closed please take a seat in the waiting area in the hallway.
2B Clarke Street, Crows Nest. *Note, it is NOT 2-4 Clarke St on the corner
See images below and note that the florist has now moved.
Paid parking is available on Clarke Street or 2 hours free parking in Hume Street or Holterman Street council carparks. Woolworths car park also has 2 hours free parking.
There are stairs up to the clinic, the bathroom is located off to the right and the clinic entrance to off to the left.
If my door is closed please take a seat in the waiting area in the hallway.
Office entrance is tucked between Pinos pasta cafe and the alterations shop Soraya tailoring. Look for Clarke House see images (It is not 2-4 Clarke St on the corner with florist).
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CANCELLATION POLICY
48 hours notice of session cancellation/re-scheduling is required or full fee is charged.
Naturally, consideration will be given to true emergencies.
ACCOUNT PAYMENT OPTIONS
Session fees must be settled at the end of your appointment by correct cash or credit card. Credit card payments are and receipts are processed via an encrypted practice software, Halaxy.
I can claim your medicare refund for you provided I have the doctors referral letter and your medicare details.
You are responsible for private health claims, including telling me the health fund item code needed for your receipt.
Naturally, consideration will be given to true emergencies.
ACCOUNT PAYMENT OPTIONS
Session fees must be settled at the end of your appointment by correct cash or credit card. Credit card payments are and receipts are processed via an encrypted practice software, Halaxy.
I can claim your medicare refund for you provided I have the doctors referral letter and your medicare details.
You are responsible for private health claims, including telling me the health fund item code needed for your receipt.
THERAPEUTIC CONTRACT
A therapeutic contract outlines the boundaries around what can and can’t be done within the context of the therapeutic relationship. Please try to read the entire document before your session.
I appreciate co-operation and good conduct in sessions. If anything happens outside of the session that has a significant impact on your ability to be present in therapy, please let me know.
If you are attending for couples counselling the session cannot begin until both partners are present.
You can find more information on what to expect from couples therapy here.
1. COMMUNICATION POLICY
I reserve the right to keep emails and texts to a minimum.
If you have any questions I will do my best to answer them, I reserve the right to respond to questions that entail lengthy or sensitive responses within session only.
If you have a problem you may try to contact me by phone, if you cannot reach me, or if there is an emergency please call lifeline on 131 114 or emergency services on 000.
I will not engage in communication that may be used against your partner (if you are in a relationship) now or in the future e.g. to defame their character or win custody of children.
Purely social contact between a therapist and client is always frowned upon so I will not be able to accept any invitations to social events or gifts. However, I am happy to receive communication from you that includes updates on your progress (or not), and any other significant news you may wish to share with me. Believe it or not, therapists do wonder about what may have become their clients situation after therapy has ended.
I also reserve the right to send a ‘check in’ email in the event of unexplained contact for an extended period of time.
2. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
While I am more than happy for you to like/follow my professional pages (Calm Mind Psychology on Facebook, instagram or youtube) I will be unable now and in the future to friend you on my personal page or correspond with you on any personal pages I might have on social media or the internet.
3. THE PROCESS OF THERAPY
Therapy is a unique situation that has reaped many rewards for millions of people. If you do decide to engage in a set or open number of sessions you may at some time feel strong emotions of some form. By necessity the process of change entails an inevitable disruption of the status-quo. However, it’s not all no pain no gain, much of your time therapy will be interesting and enjoyable. Many people also gain great relief from having a space to talk about their ‘stuff’ without feeling judged or exposed. You may also have insights into previously puzzling behaviour. Ultimately you hope to end up feeling more alive and present.
The initial sessions are mostly information gathering and assessment, a time to tell your story. It helps if you can be upfront with disclosing anything that may be relevant to the problem(s) you present with. Together we work out what you hope to gain from therapy, what is reasonable to expect, and then we work towards those goals. The more you invest in the process, the more you are likely to get out of it. However, as with any change process, things may not always go as smoothly as desired.
Alternately, if I feel I cannot help you it is my responsibility to let you know as soon as possible and ask that you find someone who is more suited for your particular issue.
4. COMPLAINTS POLICY
Therapy can be a sensitive journey that can occasionally arouse unpleasant feelings (all with the aim of making space for more pleasant ones of course). Sometimes feelings are stirred up and remain outside of the individual’s awareness. This sets the stage for the individual to potentially misinterpret the context or meaning of communication or interactions within therapy and/or in external relationships. It is important to be aware of this and bring up in your sessions anything that is concerning you. I encourage you to feel free to discuss with me anything you are uncertain or uncomfortable about. While I endeavour to maintain the highest professional standards I am also only human which means I too can make mistakes. If you have an issue related to my professional services please address it with me first and if the matter cannot be reconciled I am happy to direct you to the relevant professional body. Australian Psychological Society or AHPRA.
I appreciate co-operation and good conduct in sessions. If anything happens outside of the session that has a significant impact on your ability to be present in therapy, please let me know.
If you are attending for couples counselling the session cannot begin until both partners are present.
You can find more information on what to expect from couples therapy here.
1. COMMUNICATION POLICY
I reserve the right to keep emails and texts to a minimum.
If you have any questions I will do my best to answer them, I reserve the right to respond to questions that entail lengthy or sensitive responses within session only.
If you have a problem you may try to contact me by phone, if you cannot reach me, or if there is an emergency please call lifeline on 131 114 or emergency services on 000.
I will not engage in communication that may be used against your partner (if you are in a relationship) now or in the future e.g. to defame their character or win custody of children.
Purely social contact between a therapist and client is always frowned upon so I will not be able to accept any invitations to social events or gifts. However, I am happy to receive communication from you that includes updates on your progress (or not), and any other significant news you may wish to share with me. Believe it or not, therapists do wonder about what may have become their clients situation after therapy has ended.
I also reserve the right to send a ‘check in’ email in the event of unexplained contact for an extended period of time.
2. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
While I am more than happy for you to like/follow my professional pages (Calm Mind Psychology on Facebook, instagram or youtube) I will be unable now and in the future to friend you on my personal page or correspond with you on any personal pages I might have on social media or the internet.
3. THE PROCESS OF THERAPY
Therapy is a unique situation that has reaped many rewards for millions of people. If you do decide to engage in a set or open number of sessions you may at some time feel strong emotions of some form. By necessity the process of change entails an inevitable disruption of the status-quo. However, it’s not all no pain no gain, much of your time therapy will be interesting and enjoyable. Many people also gain great relief from having a space to talk about their ‘stuff’ without feeling judged or exposed. You may also have insights into previously puzzling behaviour. Ultimately you hope to end up feeling more alive and present.
The initial sessions are mostly information gathering and assessment, a time to tell your story. It helps if you can be upfront with disclosing anything that may be relevant to the problem(s) you present with. Together we work out what you hope to gain from therapy, what is reasonable to expect, and then we work towards those goals. The more you invest in the process, the more you are likely to get out of it. However, as with any change process, things may not always go as smoothly as desired.
Alternately, if I feel I cannot help you it is my responsibility to let you know as soon as possible and ask that you find someone who is more suited for your particular issue.
4. COMPLAINTS POLICY
Therapy can be a sensitive journey that can occasionally arouse unpleasant feelings (all with the aim of making space for more pleasant ones of course). Sometimes feelings are stirred up and remain outside of the individual’s awareness. This sets the stage for the individual to potentially misinterpret the context or meaning of communication or interactions within therapy and/or in external relationships. It is important to be aware of this and bring up in your sessions anything that is concerning you. I encourage you to feel free to discuss with me anything you are uncertain or uncomfortable about. While I endeavour to maintain the highest professional standards I am also only human which means I too can make mistakes. If you have an issue related to my professional services please address it with me first and if the matter cannot be reconciled I am happy to direct you to the relevant professional body. Australian Psychological Society or AHPRA.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY
As a registered psychologist complying to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics it is my duty to give you this information. Please make sure you have read and fully understood it before your first session.
6. TREATMENT
Once the aims of therapy are established I will do my best to explain the course of treatment. I use a combination of known counselling techniques. Many people experience emotional discomfort during or after counselling depending on the nature and content of the session. You may decline or withdraw from treatment at any time provided sufficient notice is given to allow me to discuss with you the possible consequences or other treatment options. I will not to keep you in treatment longer than necessary.
7. NOTE TAKING AND RECORD KEEPING
Taking notes and storing these securely is a required part of my service delivery. Written information recorded during your session will be securely stored for 7 years. If you have good reason to you may access your information under very restricted circumstances. All information you convey to me is strictly confidential excepting the circumstances defined below.
8. LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Contents of all therapy sessions are considered strictly confidential. Both verbal information and written records about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. Noted exceptions are as follows:
a. Duty to Warn and Protect
When a client discloses intentions or a plan to harm another person a mental health professional is required to report this information to legal authorities. This includes abuse or neglect of a child or elderly person or other serious criminal activity. In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
b. Legal obligation
The court may subpoena information, however such information is strictly limited to information pertaining directly to the legal issue or reason for subpoena. If any of the above situations should arise I will make every attempt to inform you of exactly what information and to whom I need to disclose.
c. Professional Standards
To maintain my professional standards I am required to have sessions with supervisory psychologists (who are bound by the same code of confidentiality). If I present your information it is always presented in a way that protects your privacy and identity.
d. If I want to use your situation in a case study, presentation or professional article, I will ask your written permission first. No identifying descriptors will ever be used, you have absolute right to deny.
e. If you want to record a sessoin please ask permission
I am happy for clients to take notes in session for their own reference. I take no responsibilty for your transcription of my words in that they may not reflect my advice unless I have witnessed and signed as such.
By receiving and reading this form you agree to the above limits of confidentiality and understand their meanings and ramifications.
If you have any objections or questions please raise them with me in the initial session.
As a registered psychologist complying to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics it is my duty to give you this information. Please make sure you have read and fully understood it before your first session.
6. TREATMENT
Once the aims of therapy are established I will do my best to explain the course of treatment. I use a combination of known counselling techniques. Many people experience emotional discomfort during or after counselling depending on the nature and content of the session. You may decline or withdraw from treatment at any time provided sufficient notice is given to allow me to discuss with you the possible consequences or other treatment options. I will not to keep you in treatment longer than necessary.
7. NOTE TAKING AND RECORD KEEPING
Taking notes and storing these securely is a required part of my service delivery. Written information recorded during your session will be securely stored for 7 years. If you have good reason to you may access your information under very restricted circumstances. All information you convey to me is strictly confidential excepting the circumstances defined below.
8. LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Contents of all therapy sessions are considered strictly confidential. Both verbal information and written records about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. Noted exceptions are as follows:
a. Duty to Warn and Protect
When a client discloses intentions or a plan to harm another person a mental health professional is required to report this information to legal authorities. This includes abuse or neglect of a child or elderly person or other serious criminal activity. In cases in which the client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
b. Legal obligation
The court may subpoena information, however such information is strictly limited to information pertaining directly to the legal issue or reason for subpoena. If any of the above situations should arise I will make every attempt to inform you of exactly what information and to whom I need to disclose.
c. Professional Standards
To maintain my professional standards I am required to have sessions with supervisory psychologists (who are bound by the same code of confidentiality). If I present your information it is always presented in a way that protects your privacy and identity.
d. If I want to use your situation in a case study, presentation or professional article, I will ask your written permission first. No identifying descriptors will ever be used, you have absolute right to deny.
e. If you want to record a sessoin please ask permission
I am happy for clients to take notes in session for their own reference. I take no responsibilty for your transcription of my words in that they may not reflect my advice unless I have witnessed and signed as such.
By receiving and reading this form you agree to the above limits of confidentiality and understand their meanings and ramifications.
If you have any objections or questions please raise them with me in the initial session.
COMMON FEELINGS DURING THERAPY
1. Initial relief and increased expectation of ongoing rapid progress.
2. Feeling a reduction in symptoms, possibly followed by a feeling they are ‘better’ and done.
3. A reduction followed by a return of symptoms, possibly leading them to believe therapy has stopped working.
4. An increase in previous symptoms often a result of the activation of undercurrent issues which can manifest as feelings of frustration or anger at others, including the therapist who is sometimes seen as the source of the discomfort.
Therapy is a joint process. It is not, as classically may be believed, something that is ‘done’ to you. The more you invest the more returns you will reap. But it will take time and it will take perseverance. How long and how much will depend on individual circumstances, the duration of the problem, the severity of the presenting symptoms and the capacity of the individual(s) to do the therapeutic work.
I am in this profession to guide people toward problem resolution and wellbeing and I want to do this as speedily and effectively as possible. However, I also want to make sure you get what you need. We will evaluate the progress of treatment at defined intervals. When I feel you are close to reaching your goals we will begin what is known as termination of therapy. This may take one or more sessions depending on the length and intensity of treatment.
TERMINATION OF THERAPY
As with any treatment abrupt termination is not recommended. Many people have issues with closure and endings. There is no problem with your request to end therapy, however, it is best done within a session allowing enough time to tie up loose ends and gain the recommendations you may need as you move forward. This means that once you are in treatment proper, a text, email or ‘quick call’ is not sufficient to safely and effectively end therapy. Even if you feel ‘good to go’ please allow time for complete finalisation of the process for your own benefit.
1. Initial relief and increased expectation of ongoing rapid progress.
2. Feeling a reduction in symptoms, possibly followed by a feeling they are ‘better’ and done.
3. A reduction followed by a return of symptoms, possibly leading them to believe therapy has stopped working.
4. An increase in previous symptoms often a result of the activation of undercurrent issues which can manifest as feelings of frustration or anger at others, including the therapist who is sometimes seen as the source of the discomfort.
Therapy is a joint process. It is not, as classically may be believed, something that is ‘done’ to you. The more you invest the more returns you will reap. But it will take time and it will take perseverance. How long and how much will depend on individual circumstances, the duration of the problem, the severity of the presenting symptoms and the capacity of the individual(s) to do the therapeutic work.
I am in this profession to guide people toward problem resolution and wellbeing and I want to do this as speedily and effectively as possible. However, I also want to make sure you get what you need. We will evaluate the progress of treatment at defined intervals. When I feel you are close to reaching your goals we will begin what is known as termination of therapy. This may take one or more sessions depending on the length and intensity of treatment.
TERMINATION OF THERAPY
As with any treatment abrupt termination is not recommended. Many people have issues with closure and endings. There is no problem with your request to end therapy, however, it is best done within a session allowing enough time to tie up loose ends and gain the recommendations you may need as you move forward. This means that once you are in treatment proper, a text, email or ‘quick call’ is not sufficient to safely and effectively end therapy. Even if you feel ‘good to go’ please allow time for complete finalisation of the process for your own benefit.
Consent to Therapy Form - downloadable copy
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