What will happen in counselling?
Counselling is a process with ‘stages’ or phases which usually include:
- ‘meeting’ on the phone for information exchange and to determine whether therapist and client are suitable for working together. If we agree to work together, a face-to-face appointment will be scheduled.
- establishing an environment of safety in which growth and change are encouraged. This includes developing rapport and building trust.
- identifying issues to be addressed as well as attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that may be hampering change and growth.
- deepening understanding of needs, identifying existing resources and strengths, establishing goals and a plan and process for meeting them.
- using assessment tools to measure progress, to update or revise the goals/plan and to evaluate the counselling process itself.
- ending the counselling process, including review of outcomes achieved, plan for relapse prevention, and possible follow-up.
It’s important to remember that change can be difficult. A strong motivation to change, a commitment to attend sessions and to practice/do homework between sessions is essential to a good outcome. The focus will be on you and the change you want to create in your life.
What happens to personal information I discuss with my psychologist?
Any information including, but not limited to your name, email and contact information, registration, information request, payment terms or details is kept completely confidential and is not shared with any party without your express written consent.
Contents of all sessions are considered to be confidential. Written records and verbal information about a client cannot be shared with another party without the written consent of the client or the client’s legal guardian. (See exceptions below)
Psychologists must retain records of their contacts with clients; these records typically include details about the clients presenting problem and history, any psychological test data and any diagnoses made, as well as details about sessions attended. These records must be kept and stored securely for periods of time defined by provincial regulation. In Alberta, records must be kept for 10 years after the last client contact and for at least 10 years after a minor client reaches the age of majority. After these time limits are up, files are securely discarded by being shredded.
What are exceptions or limits to confidentiality?
The following are usual exceptions and limits to confidentiality and will be reviewed at the first session:
- Duty to warn and protect
- When a client discloses intentions or plans to harm another person, mental health professionals are required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities. In cases in which a client discloses or implies a plan for suicide, the health care professional is required to notify legal authorities and make reasonable attempts to notify the family of the client.
- Abuse of children and vulnerable adults
- If a client states or suggests that he or she is abusing a child or vulnerable adult or has recently abused a child or vulnerable adult or a child or vulnerable adult is in danger of abuse, the mental health professional is required to report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.
- Minors/Guardians
- Parents or legal guardians of non-emancipated minor clients have the right to access the clients’ records.
- Insurance providers
- Insurance companies and other third party payers are given information that they request regarding services to clients. Information that may be requested includes, but is not limited to: types of service, dates/times of service, diagnosis, treatment plan, description of impairment, progress, case notes and summaries.
- Legal
- The courts also have the power to subpoena a psychologist’s files.
What financial resources might be available to help offset the cost of counselling?
Insurance
Services may be covered in full or part by your extended health insurance. Some questions to ask if you aren’t sure:
- Do I have counselling/psychological health benefits?
- What is my deductible, if any, and has it been met?
- How many counselling sessions per year does my insurance cover?
- What is the coverage amount per session? Total coverage for the year? When does the year begin and end?
Employee (and Family) Assistance Benefit — EAP or EFAP
In addition to insurance, you may have an Employee (and Family) Assistance benefit. Your EAP/EFAP coordinator can provide you with information about coverage amounts.
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Some individuals may have a Health Spending Account — a tax-effective, flexible complement to your regular group insurance benefit plan that provides an additional choice for managing health-related expenses. Canada Revenue Agency’s medical expenses and claiming guideline includes psychologists’ fees.