Service Agreement
Terms of Psychotherapy Service
It is often a big step to enter individual or couple psychotherapy and counselling. Congratulations and respect to you for coming out of your comfort zone and seeking professional help! To get the most out of this experience, it will be helpful to read and think about the following information. If you have any questions or concerns, please share them via email to hello@arrifqacounselling.com
Services offered: Ar’Rifqa Counselling offers individual, couple, and family psychotherapy services.
Service Exclusions: Ar’Rifqa Counselling does not provide specialty services associated with psychological assessments and diagnoses, or assessments required for court proceedings in cases such as child custody and access, child abuse, pre-trial disposition reports, or probation assessments. Ar’Rifqa Counselling also cannot adequately provide services to people when they are experiencing active and/or acute episodes of a psychiatric illness or are in acute crisis situations. In such circumstances, Ar’Rifqa Counselling may be able to make a referral to another appropriate resource in the community.
Crisis: Ar’Rifqa Counselling is unable to provide services to clients in acute crisis, and outside of regular business hours. Should you be in crisis between sessions, you can call the Toronto Distress Line at 416-408-HELP (4357), or 911, or visit your local Emergency department.
Process of Therapy: Therapy is about change, and most of the time, this change feels relieving and positive. However, because therapy involves change, there may also be times when you experience some increase in distress and/or uncertainty. One of the goals of therapy is to support and help you through this process.
Making The Most Out of Therapy: Clients who get the most out of psychotherapy & counselling are usually the ones who use their session time to increase awareness, learn new skills, and be actively involved in getting what they want from the sessions. They are also the ones who are willing to try out new behaviors in between sessions and take time to reflect and practice. Sometimes it is helpful to write or draw after a session and bring this to your next session. If, at any time, you are left with concerns or discomfort from a session, it is important that you tell your psychotherapist about this either when it is happening or at the next session.
Collaboration: Clients are often working with other professionals who support their well-being, such as family physicians or other therapists. When helpful, and with your agreement, Ar’Rifqa Counselling can work collaboratively with these other professionals to ensure quality coordinated care.
Length and Frequency of Sessions: Individual sessions are typically 50 minutes in length; couples and family sessions are 75 minutes. Longer sessions may be arranged at an adjusted fee. The frequency of sessions will be based on your needs. Sessions may be weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly.
Expected length of therapy: Therapy will continue only so long as it is beneficial to you. The duration of the therapy will be mutually agreed upon, and we will evaluate on an ongoing basis to determine its helpfulness. You have the right to end therapy at any time and for any reason. Should the therapist need to end therapy, they will refer you to another therapist or service.
Fees: Ar’Rifqa Counselling fee negotiated with yourself is $150 per hour. Individual sessions are usually 50 minutes in length. Couples and family sessions are $200 per 75 minutes. Fees are collected in full after each session and can be paid via e-transfer to hello@arrifqacounselling.com. Sliding Fee Scales are also available for disadvantaged community members. This can be discussed and negotiated.
Cancellation Policy: Twenty-four (24) hours' notice is required for cancellation of a session. Sessions cancelled without 24 hours' notice will be charged half the session fee. Exceptions can be made due to emergencies. The therapist will also do their best to give reasonable notice of any changes.
Confidentiality: Everything that is said in the context of the conversations between therapist and client is kept private and confidential by law.
Except:
(1) When a client indicates they are at risk of harming him/herself or others, such as when there is a danger of suicide or assault, and/or when a client attends therapy under the influence of substances and intends to operate a motor vehicle. In these situations, a therapist may need to take additional steps to ensure safety.
(2) When a therapist has reason to believe that a child under age 18 is in need of protection from physical abuse, sexual abuse, serious emotional abuse, or neglect. This includes situations when physical abuse or high levels of conflict are occurring between adult family members, and there is a child in the home. It also includes situations when a client reports that a child is not being adequately supervised and is at risk of harm. It also includes situations when a client discloses that s/he was abused in childhood, and there is a possibility that the person who was abusive may be a danger to other children now. In these situations, the Children’s Aid Society needs to be contacted.
(3) When a therapist is mandated by a court order to disclose information, as can happen if there are legal proceedings or in order to facilitate a criminal investigation. Client files can be subpoenaed, and therapists can be ordered to testify in court.
(4) When a client reports a reasonable suspicion that a resident of a long term care facility regulated by the Long Term Care Facilities Act of Ontario (such as a seniors residence or nursing home) is being physically abused by anyone, and /or has suffered or may suffer harm as a result of unlawful conduct, neglect, or improper or incompetent care by staff in the home. In these situations, it may be necessary to report it to the provincial Director of Nursing Homes.
(5) When a client discloses that s/he has been harmed by another helping professional who is a member of a profession regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act of Ontario (e.g., psychologist, medical doctor, physiotherapist, etc) or the Social Work & Social Service Workers Act of Ontario, it may be necessary to report the name of the professional (not the client) to the relevant college.
(6) When a client who is a member of a profession regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act of Ontario shares information that leads the therapist to believe they are engaging in unsafe or harmful practice, a therapist may need to inform the relevant College
(7) In a situation of the unexpected death or illness of the therapist, you may be contacted by a representative acting on behalf of the therapist. This representative will be obliged to ensure confidentiality as the therapist does and will provide you with an appropriate referral.
(8) In a situation when a therapist is required to release information for auditing or quality assurance purposes to a government body, such as Canada Revenue or the Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario.
(9) In a situation when a client has not provided payment for sessions, a therapist may need to submit information to a collection agency.
(10) When a client gives written permission to have information from the therapy meetings shared with another person(s). In this case, an authorization form that allows this release of information must be signed by the client.
You will be informed of all instances when the therapist needs to make an exception to the confidentiality of your therapy sessions, unless the therapist is ordered to not inform you. The therapist will only disclose information that is reasonably required.
Electronic communication (e-mail, texting): Electronic communication is used for scheduling appointments only. Further electronic communication may be possible in certain circumstances, based on discussion and agreement between us. Ar’Rifqa Counselling takes precautions to protect your privacy such as: using a privacy-enhanced email service; password-protecting all computers; password-protecting all email and video-conferencing accounts; and encrypting all documents sent to clients. However, due to the nature of digital technology, the complete security and privacy of e-communications cannot be guaranteed, as information may be intercepted, lost, corrupted, or infected, or someone may access your computer.
Online sessions: Online sessions are available. Ar’rfiqa Counselling uses Google Meet and/or Owl, Zanda, and/or Jane and/or phone if needed. As with all digital communications, Ar’Rifqa Counselling is unable to guarantee complete security.
Social Media: Guidelines regarding privacy and confidentiality do not allow therapists to accept requests for personal or professional connections on social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or other such sites. Though a therapist may use social media as a form of advertisement, clients are in no way obliged to participate in these forums.
Supervision: Therapists may request your permission to audio or videotape a session for consultation purposes regarding the quality of their work with you. All recordings are erased or destroyed after this consultation.
Record Keeping: Therapists in Ontario are required by law to keep a record of each contact and therapy session with a client. Records are kept for a minimum of 10 years after the date of their last session, and after a client turns 18 years of age. All information is maintained in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of the Federal Government of Canada and the Personal Health Information and Protection Act (PHIPA) of the Province of Ontario. This means that all personal information obtained, used, and disclosed is done so with your consent. Personal information is protected by specific safeguards, such as locked cabinets, computer passwords, and encryption. You may request a copy of your records for a reasonable fee. Please note that records cannot be released when they contain the name of another person, and that reports from other professionals cannot be released without the consent of that professional. Couple and family therapy files require the consent of all involved prior to release. Ar’Rifqa Counselling will not release the content of individual sessions with members of a couple or family without the written consent of the individual, or unless required by law.
General good behaviour: By signing this agreement, you acknowledge that you are in no way video or audio taping sessions without Ar’Rifqa Counselling, and any other couples’ permission and consent. To do so could result in immediate termination of our work together. You are welcome to video and audiotape sessions, provided you have the consent of all participating members and agree to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all participants.
Professional Ethics: Ar’Rifqa Counselling is accountable to the Code of Ethics of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario http://www.crpo.ca/.
Client Feedback, Concerns, and Complaints: Ar’Rifqa Counselling is open to your feedback at any time. If you have a complaint or concern about the way therapists at Ar’Rifqa Counselling have handled something, please feel free to let us know. If you believe therapists at Ar’Rifqa Counselling have acted in an unethical manner, you may report your concern to the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario http://www.crpo.ca/.
Closure: When you feel ready to finish your counselling, it is important to bring this up with your counsellor so that together you can plan for ending your work in a satisfactory way. This may take some sessions to accomplish, and closure is important for clients. This is also an ongoing evaluation in the psychotherapy process.