Couples Therapy Contract

Method of Practice

This contract aims to put in writing the terms and conditions of your psychotherapy and to provide you with information regarding how I practice. My practice is informed by humanistic philosophy and comes from training and experience in using as a therapy approach the cognitive behavioural therapy. I am empathic, understanding and genuine, and although I may disagree with you sometimes and even challenge your ways of thinking, I am not critical or judgmental but strive to walk by your side as you confront your problems. 

Missed Appointments and Late 

Our therapy sessions run for 50 minutes, typically once a week and will take place at my premises. If you cannot make a session, please let me know, giving me as much warning as you can. I will do the same if needed. Once you have booked a session, this hour is yours; if you arrive late, we may still need to end the session at your regular finishing time because I am likely to have other people scheduled after you. Also, unfortunately, if you need to cancel a session unless I receive 24 hours’ notice, I will still ask for full payment because I have set this time aside for you. If you need to contact me urgently in-between sessions, then, of course, I will try and make myself available, providing this is during office hours and is for a short period typically, there will be no charge. However, if this were to become a habit, I may suggest that for a time, you attend an additional session. We will only work in a formula of three. If one is missing, we will not be able to have the sessions. Unfortunately, we will have to reschedule the session, and the full fee for the session needs to be paid as this will be considered a late cancellation.

Confidentiality

As a member of the British Psychological Society, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies and Colegiul Psihologilor din Romania (Romanian Psychological Society), I abide by their code of ethics. If you would like to see these, please let me know, and I will provide you with a copy. This means that there are certain constraints on my being able to keep what you share confidential. For example, in accordance with these guidelines, all my practice is supervised. I will therefore share some of the content of your sessions with my supervisor. I will also keep notes of all my work and may write reports. However, all my records are kept securely locked away. 

It cannot exist a confidentiality agreement between myself and each of the couple’s members individually. If one of you provides information when the other partner is not present, I could share this information with your partner during the couples therapy sessions.

Under certain other circumstances, it may be necessary for me to breach confidentiality by talking to someone. This may happen if:

• If I consider that either of you will physically harm another person, including each other or your children
• You give me your consent for this confidence to be broken.
• I am compelled to break that confidence by a court of law, the child protection act.
• The information you give me is of such gravity that confidentiality cannot be maintained, e.g. where there is a possibility of harming yourself or others or in cases of crime or terrorist acts. In such circumstances, I would always try and talk to you first.
• A referring agency requires a report. However, we would devise this together.
• To meet the requirements of BACP and BABCP to undertake supervision for clinical work, I will share non-identifying information with my supervisor/s.
• I might use unidentifiable information about my work with you for accreditation or educational purposes.   
• Communication with your GP and/or school in the case of children may be necessary and indeed helpful at times; however, this will be discussed, and consent sought in advance of such instances. 

Your responsibilities during therapy

• Be punctual and pay the therapy fee using a bank transfer 24 hours in advance of your session.
• Be honest regarding your feelings and thoughts.
• Follow my directions to facilitate good communication.
• Be willing, open, and curious about your partner’s reality.
• Be willing to take responsibility for your contribution to the situation you are in as a couple.
• Be respectful with your partner during and outside therapy sessions.
• Don’t involve other people in the therapeutic process. Express your complaints and grievances to your therapist or your partner rather than to a friend or family member.
• Never use the materials/information from the session against each other.
• To express appreciation and gratitude for your partner.
• Assume the risk of being vulnerable as much as you feel comfortable. If you feel it’s too much to handle, you have the right to stop at any time, recompose and continue the session when ready.
• You can ask and offer emotional support as soon as possible
• To become the support of your partner
• You need to refrain from contacting me individually between sessions, except for the time you need to contact me regarding your appointment (book, reschedule, cancel)

Emergency or crises

Andreea Stoica Ltd is unable to provide a crisis service to clients. If urgent help is required, please contact your GP, out-of-hours service or emergency services, the A&E by calling 999, or calling the private and confidential crisis line provided by the Samaritans at 116123. 

Data protection

Andreea Stoica Ltd fully complies with the Data Protection Act 1998.  The information you provide will be managed as required by the GDPR.  For a full account of the privacy policy, please visit: https://www.andreeastoica.co.uk/privacy-policy/. 

Fees

My fees are £80 per session (5o minutes), payable by bank transfer. The cost of assessment reports and discharge reports is £100 each. These reports can be sent to the client’s GP and any other relevant parties if required.