- 1. 24-7 Informed Consent
- Counselling is most often a voluntary process, and a client has the right to terminate the counselling process at any time. Confidentiality is assured in most circumstances, the exceptions being where there is a disclosed or anticipated risk of harm to self, harm to others, a legal forensic mandate to disclose case notes, or the identification of an external threat to the client. All of these exceptions would first be raised with a client prior to external disclosure. The process of the counsellors’ external clinical supervision may also from time to time require case content (as opposed to client identity) disclosure to the counsellors clinical supervisor, to ensure that the counsellor is adhering to "best practice" protocols with their clients. If for any reason a client feels that they have grounds for a complaint as a result of the counselling service received, the client may first raise the issue of concern with the counsellor, and if the issue is not resolved to the clients satisfaction, the client may then raise a formal complaint with a counsellors clinical supervisor, and / or the counsellors professional association, in the first instance. Payment for all counselling services is required on the day of the service being provided, unless the session is invoiced, the payment for which is due within 7 days of the counselling session occurring. Counselling, Supervision, and Mediation fees are $110.00 per hour (or part thereof). Counselling sessions cancelled within 24 hours (excepting sickness or circumstances beyond the control of the client) will be charged the full session fee as the cancellation fee. From time to time, unsolicited client feedback may be posted to the 24-7 website, and clients may receive (with their consent) contact post-service termination to enquire of service outcome progress or to provide information updates on the agency – client anonymity is guaranteed. Please contact Steve Taylor on (021) 259-2506 if you like any more information pertaining to the provision of Counselling, Supervision, or Mediation Services by 24-7 Ltd.
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- 2. 24-7: Who are they?
- 24-7 Ltd is a limited liability company, and owns www.24-7.org.nz, 24-7 Counselling Services, 24-7 Supervision Services, and 24-7 Mediation Services. The company began operations in 2001.
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- 3. Are you a Mental Health Crisis Intervention Service?
- For established clients of the 24-7 Practice, 24-7 Ltd is available to offer support and co-ordination for Mental Health Crisis events as they may arise. However, 24-7 Ltd no longer accept Mental Health Crisis intervention referrals from individuals or families with which the Practice has no established therapeutic relationship or clinical history prior to the referral. Referrals of this nature may be forwarded to the Mental Health Crisis phone line on 0800 800-717.
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- 4. Are you qualified?
- Yes. I hold degrees in Counselling (B. Couns.) and Alcohol & Drug Studies (B. Alc.D.S), from the Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec), and qualifications in both Clinical & Managment Supervision from Weltec and the NZ Institute of Management. I am also a member of Resolve Dispute Resolution Services. I am currently in the process of completing an applied Masters Degree in Social Practice (Counselling) at Unitec.
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- 5. Can I get assistance through Work & Income New Zealand with my Counselling fees?
- WINZ clients may apply for a Disability Allowance through their Case Manager. 24-7 only accepts re-direction applications of this nature – this means that the Disability Allowance is paid direct to 24-7 Ltd, prior to the first counselling session.
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- 6. How much are your fees?
- Personal Counselling, Supervision and Mediation is $110.00 per hour (or part thereof). Some assistance with fees may be available from Work & Income, or from your work (EAP) or agency. Fee payments are due on the day of your appointment. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or electronic banking transfer.
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- 7. How often should I come to Counselling / Supervision / Mediation?
- As often as you both feel you need to, and can reasonably afford to. As a general guide, Counselling / Supervision / Mediation frequency occurs weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or bi-monthly.
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- 8. I want to see more than one Counsellor at a time - is this OK?
- Ethically, no. One of the fundamental cornerstones of safe Counselling practice is for a Counsellor to avoid a client becoming involved in "therapeutic duality" - seeing more than one Counsellor at the same time. In deciding the appropriate process of securing Counselling intervention, the client is advised to first nominate who they wish to engage as a Counsellor, and then remain with that Counsellor until such time as the client wishes to engage another Counsellor, for whatever reason. At this stage, the client would advise their current Counsellor of their wish to change service providers, the current Counsellor would immediately close the file, and transfer the case to the newly nominated Counsellor. Such a process both maximises client safety and continuity, and minimises the possibility of a client receiving what may be mixed or potentially confusing messages from separate parties in their Counselling process.
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- 9. I'm a minor - if I tell you something, will you tell my parents / caregivers?
- That depends. If you are under the age of 16 years, it is important for you to be aware that, as your parents / caregivers still have ultimate responsibility for you, I am required by various laws and statutes to advise them of any issue which may potentially or actually undermine or compromise your safety and wellbeing. The exception to this requirement would be if your parents / caregivers were in some way responsible for undermining or compromising your safety and wellbeing, at which time I have an ethical and risk minimisation option to disclose this situation to Child, Youth & Family (CYF), or the Police, particularly if you disclose to me any form of abuse or neglect. If you are 16-17, then some exceptions to disclosure apply, of which I will advise you prior to the first session beginning. Broadly speaking, these exceptions include harm to yourself; harm to others; disclosure of illegal intent; and / or the identification of an external threat to your health, safety, or wellbeing.
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- 10. Is what we talk about confidential?
- For the most part, yes, although there are four exceptions to Client Confidentiality, and these are times that as a member of a Professional Association, I must disclose information to an appropriate third party:
a/ If you disclose to me that you are going to harm yourself.
b/ If you disclose to me that you are going to harm someone else.
c/ If you disclose to me that you are going to commit an illegal act (eg: robbing a bank).
d/ If you disclose to me that an external threat to your safety and wellbeing is present in your life.
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