CLIENT INFORMED CONSENT FORM
DEFINITIONS
Professional means a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, social worker or counsellor listed on Headroom and who continues to be duly registered and authorised to provide his or her services to the public in terms of the rules of the Professional Body/ies which govern their profession.
Professional Body includes Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), South African Council for Social Services Professions (SACSSP) and Association of Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP).
Therapy, for the purposes of this document and its relevance to the services offered on the Headroom website, includes counselling and coaching provided by the Professional.
INTRODUCTION
Therapy is a regulated relationship between a Client and a Professional that relies on clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. The terms below seek to outline these rights and responsibilities. This form needs to be completed for each new Client – Professional relationship.
RISKS AND BENEFITS OF THERAPY
Therapy has both benefits and risks for a Client. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings as the process of Therapy often requires discussing the unpleasant aspects of the Client’s life. However, Therapy has been shown to have benefits for individuals who undertake it. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems. The Client may feel worse before he/she will start to feel better. The Client must seek treatment voluntarily, remains free to discontinue Therapy at any time or to request a referral to another professional. There are no guarantees regarding the outcome of Therapy, but a proactive effort on the Client’s part will improve the chances of a successful outcome.
CLIENT RIGHTS
The Client has the right to considerate, safe and respectful care, without discrimination as to race, ethnicity, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or source of payment. He/she has the right to ask questions about any aspects of Therapy and about the Professional’s specific training and experience. If the Client believes that the Professional has acted unethically, the Client may lodge a complaint with the relevant Professional Body under which the Professional is registered.
ONLINE THERAPY
There are potential benefits and risks of online Therapy that differ from in-person Therapy. Online Therapy may not be an appropriate medium for crisis or emergency situations. The Professional will decide whether or not the Client’s condition being diagnosed or treated is appropriate for online consultation/s. If at any point the Professional determines that online Therapy is not appropriate, the Professional will terminate the online Therapy and provide alternative suggestions and/or an appropriate referral.
Online Therapy is reliant on technology (including but not limited to live-video, phone, text, email, appointment scheduling) which has many benefits including greater convenience in service delivery. There are however risks in transmitting information over the internet that include, but are not limited to, breaches of confidentiality, theft of personal information, and disruption of service due to technical difficulties.
Headroom employs various security measures to limit these risks, including but not limited to, HIPAA-compliant software, minimal data storage, passwords protected access, automatic logout time, and data encryption.
The Client requires access to and familiarity with the appropriate technology to participate in the service provided. No person will be present on the Professional’s side of the online connection, whose presence the Client has not consented to. It is the Client’s responsibility to ensure the confidentiality of his/her communications with the Professional.
PROFESSIONAL RECORDS
All clinical records will be maintained by the Professional as required by the legal and ethical standards applicable to his/her profession. Except in unusual circumstances that involve danger to the Client, the Client has the right to a copy of such records. Because these are professional records, they may be misinterpreted and / or distressing to untrained readers. It is therefore recommended that should the Client request his/her records, he/she should first review the records with the Professional, or have them forwarded to another mental health professional to discuss the contents. The Professional should be provided a reasonable amount of time to provide copies of the records.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The laws that protect the confidentiality of any medical information also apply to online Therapy. The Client’s information will only be released with the Client’s express written permission, with the exceptions of the cases as defined by the Professional Body governing the Professional’s conduct. The Client is responsible for securing his/her own hardware, internet access points, and password security. Neither the Professional nor Headroom can be held liable for confidentiality breaches caused by the Client. It is important or the Client to participate in online sessions from a quiet, private space that is free of distractions (including cell phone or other devices) and it is preferable to use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi connection. Client sessions will not be recorded.
PRIVACY
It is the Professional’s responsibility to maintain privacy of the Client’s personal and Therapy information and communications. Insurance companies authorized by the Client or parties permitted by law may also have access to records or communications.
CONSENT TO ONLINE THERAPY
I here-by confirm that I understand the risks and limitations of online Therapy. I understand that when I sign this document it represents an agreement between myself and the Professional with whom I have booked a session. I am aware that I can discuss any questions during my session/s with the Professional.
