Online counselling parent/guardian consent form
Terms and contract

Online counselling

Online counselling will enable your child/adolescent to access therapeutic support with a Mindworx counsellor remotely. Their counsellor will re-confirm times and frequency of appointments with them during the first counselling session. It is expected that they will be prepared and on time for the agreed counselling sessions. Their counsellor will be unable to extend session times if they are late. Their counsellor will go through our contract and confidentiality limitations, they will also run through an assessment of needs to check if there have been any changes since the initial online assessment form being completed.

What will your child/adolescent need for the counselling sessions?

In order for online counselling to be successful for your child/adolescent, they have to have a quiet and confidential space for them to talk freely and openly, and without interruption. Their counsellor will not conduct counselling sessions with them if they are outside in public, travelling in a vehicle, or their counsellor believes there is someone else in the room with them. Their Mindworx counsellor can stop counselling sessions at any time if they feel that the session is not secure and confidential.

Sessions will take place online via our secure Telehealth system.

For each of their sessions, they will be sent an email with a secure link to join their counsellor online at the agreed time. They should receive this 24 hours before their session is due to start.

They may wish to have a pen, colours, paper, or a journal available when they have their sessions, so they can explore their experiences creatively if they so choose to (this is optional).

Online session troubleshooting

In the unlikely event that there are any connection issues with an online counselling session, the counsellor will make attempts to re-establish connection within child/adolescent’s allocated counselling session time. If it is clear that connection cannot be re-established within the session time their counsellor will email them to inform them connection for online counselling was not possible and will endeavour to re-schedule their session at another convenient time.

Confidentiality

It is normal practice that all our services are provided in total confidence.  The identity of the client and their personal information that is shared will be protected by their counsellor. However, there may be certain circumstances where confidentiality needs to be broken. This may be when they or others are judged by their counsellor to be in danger. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as the agency may be obligated, in compliance with the law, to notify other agencies, particularly when the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a concern. We will always endeavour to discuss disclosure to others with your child/adolescent beforehand and jointly agree a way forward, however this may not always be possible or appropriate. The counsellor will contact the appropriate person/agency e.g., their line manager or supervisor in the immediate instance, in an attempt to keep the intervention short and with the minimum number of people involved.

Child / adolescents & confidentiality

Counsellors who work with children/adolescents have the difficult task of protecting the child/adolescents right to privacy while at the same time respecting the parent’s or guardian’s right to information.

Counselling is most effective when a trusting relationship exists between counsellor and client. Privacy is especially important in securing and maintaining that trust. One goal of counselling is to promote a stronger and better relationship between children/adolescents and their parents. However, it is often necessary for the child/adolescent to develop a “zone of privacy” whereby they feel free to discuss personal matters with greater freedom. This is particularly true for adolescents who are naturally developing a greater sense of independence and autonomy.

It is useful if you do not ask your child/adolescent what they discussed after each session. However, if they wish to share anything with you that is their choice but they should not feel pressurised to do so.

If it is necessary to refer your child/adolescent to another mental health professional with more specialised skills, we will share that information with you and recommend an appropriate referral.

We will not share with you what your child/adolescent has disclosed to us without your child’s/adolescent’s consent. (However, this is not applicable if it is a safeguarding concern). After your child’s/adolescent’s final session, it may be helpful to review the sessions in general.

Therapeutic relationship

It is helpful to remember that the client / counsellor relationship is professional and not social. The professional relationship is of utmost importance as we work together towards achieving your child/adolescents goals and bringing resolution to issues and healing to their life. If you have any concerns regarding your child/adolescent during the therapeutic process or wish to update us,  please email us at hello@mindworx.uk . We are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm and will respond to you as soon as we can.

Endings

Both you and your child/adolescent are in compete control and may end the therapeutic relationship at any time. Endings are an important part of the therapeutic process, in order to manage an ending appropriately with your child/adolescent we require at least two weeks notice prior to an ending.

Supervision

All of our counsellors are registered members of a UK counselling governing body (BACP, UKCP etc..). This means that they are required to have regular supervision sessions and will discuss their work with a supervisor on a regular basis. However, the counsellor will not disclose any client names or any other information that would enable a client to be identified by the supervisor.

Record keeping

It is a requirement of the Mindworx organisation that written records are kept of your child/adolescents sessions with your Counsellor. These records are the responsibility of the counsellor and the organisation. Client records will be kept in accordance with Data protection rules contained in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). If your child/adolescent requires a copy of any session notes Mindworx require a written request by them or their representative.

Recording

Online counselling sessions will not be recorded by the counsellor. Clients are not permitted to record online counselling sessions while working with a Mindworx counsellor.

Payments

All sessions are paid for by debit / credit card in advance via a link sent 48 hours before each session. The session fee is £59.

Sessions & cancellations

All sessions are 50 minutes in length. If a session needs to be cancelled, the client must provide Mindworx with 48 hours notice. Failure to do so will result in the full session cost still being charged.

Client Feedback

As part of the ongoing quality development of Mindworx, we will at times email our clients a confidential questionnaire regarding the experience our services.

Acknowledgement & consent

By signing below, you are indicating that you give your permission for your child/adolescent to start counselling sessions with a Mindworx counsellor, and that you have read, understood and agreed to the information provided in this consent form.