Making an appointment
The first visit to a new therapist is very important and often there are many questions. If you have not been to a counsellor or therapist previously, you might like to read through the information about counselling and psychotherapy by following the link to the therapeutic process.
If you feel ready to go ahead and make an appointment, you can either phone me or use the form below to contact me via email. If you would like to discuss any questions you have, I am very happy to talk with you prior to making an appointment.
(I prefer to have at least a short talk on the phone to make an appointment with you, as this gives us an opportunity to get a sense of each other prior to arriving for your first appointment.)
To make an appointment
Phone (02) 9449 7121 or 0403 773 757
or email karen@emotional-transformation.com.au
I will be requesting some initial information and background on you and the issues you are wanting support with. This information is confidential and will begin to help me to understand what you have been through and how I can best assist you. At the first appointment I will ask you to bring with you the completed “Confidential Client Information Form”. You can download this form from my website or I can email you a copy when you make an appointment. Alternatively I will give it to you at our first appointment and you can complete it then.
The information contained in my “Office Policy and Informed Consent Agreement Form” outlines how I work. Hopefully it answers some of your questions and helps you decide whether you feel we can work together. Please read this information carefully and let me know if you have any other questions or need clarification about anything I have written here.
You will be asked to sign an acknowledgement that you have received, read and understood my office policies, on the “Confidential Client Information Form” that we will go through during our initial consultation. Therefore, please take time to read through this information and feel free to ask me any questions you have regarding this or anything you do not understand. When you sign the “Acknowledgement of Notification” it will represent an agreement between us.
Confidentiality
As a client of mine (or any counsellor/therapist) you have privileged communication. This means that: your relationship with me as a client, all information disclosed in our sessions, and any session notes, are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except where law requires disclosure.
When Disclosure Is Required By Law:
All personal information gathered during your work with me will remain confidential except when:
- It is subpoenaed by a court, or
- Failure to disclose the information would place you and/or another person at risk, or
- Your prior approval has been obtained in writing to discuss this information with another person.
There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm, even if I have to reveal some information about a client’s treatment. For example, if I believe that a child, elderly person or disabled person, is being abused, I must file a report with the appropriate state agency.
If I believe that a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, I am required to take protective actions. These actions may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for my client. If a client threatens to harm himself/herself, I may be obligated to seek hospitalization for them or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection.
These situations have rarely occurred in my practice. If a similar situation occurs, I will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action.
