One of the first things we are taught in training to be a counsellor or therapist, is about contracting. One of the tasks of the first session with a client is to set out and agree the terms of the contract. Do you commit your contract to writing? It’s not essential, but certainly something you might think about.

The advantages of putting the client contract into writing are:

• There can be no ambiguity or confusion on either side about what was discussed or agreed.
• First sessions are inherently stressful. The client is meeting you for the first time and telling you a lot about themselves. In the stress of that, it may happen that the details of the contract are not fully absorbed by the client. A written contract affords the opportunity to revisit what has been discussed.
• There is no chance of forgetting to say any part, as the written document provides an aide memoire.
• The terms of the contract can be standard across all clients, or varied from client to client, according to what is agreed, without fear of confusion.
• Handing a written contract to a client reinforces that your arrangement has a business side to it. This can help to create the boundaries of the work.

The disadvantages of putting it into writing are mainly that it creates a different energy perhaps from that which may prevail in other sessions, where you focus on the business side of things.

Items which you might consider including in a written contract include:

•  The date of the contract, and its duration, if one is agreed.
• Whether the contract is to be reviewed at a future date, and if so, under what circumstances.
• Any exclusions to the parameters of the work (for example, whether the therapist is willing to provide reports to third parties and under what circumstances.)
• The parameters of confidentiality and the circumstances in which there are exceptions to it.
• The client’s consent (or not) for the therapist to consult where appropriate with their GP or psychiatrist for the purpose of discussion of their treatment or psychological condition.
• What happens if the therapist decides that a third party needs to be involved, for safety or legal reasons.
• The frequency of the sessions.
• The duration of the sessions, and what happens in the event of lateness.
• The agreed fee and when and how it is to be paid.
• If the fee is to be changed in the future, what notice will be given
• The cancellation policy, including notice period, and whether rescheduling will be offered.
• Arrangements for holidays.
• The agreed notice period for bringing the work to an end.

 If you’d like help with any aspect of your counselling or therapy practice, please contact me to make an appointment or to avail of a free 20 minute consultation.