Informed Consent & Indemnity: Counselling Services for a minor.
This form represents an agreement between Hell Online Counselling and it’s submitters in reference to counselling services for a minor child. This document forms a crucial component of the “Child Intake Form” pack in addition to the Professional Services Agreement, and Client Agreement (“intake”) forms. All information regarding terms and conditions, practice policies, rules, and operating protocols are outlined in the Professional Services Agreement.
Possible Challenges and Benefits
Counselling for minor children can have benefits and possible challenges. Since counselling often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of one’s life, your child may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. Working through difficult emotions can sometimes lead to an increase in difficult behaviours before the child is able to utilise new skills or fully integrate their experiences.
In some cases, where children have been encouraged to seek counselling at the behest of their parent/guardian rather than choosing it of their own volition, they can respond rebelliously. This can look like an unwillingness to engage in, or attend sessions.
On the other hand, counselling has been shown to have benefits for individuals who are exposed to supportive counselling. Counselling can lead to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, significant reductions in feelings of distress, and improved self-esteem. There are no guarantees on how a minor child will respond. Children are unique and holistic beings that sometimes require assistance and support to grow and develop to their fullest potential. Counselling can often be beneficial for children and their families.
Confidentiality
Counsellors who work with minor children have the difficult task of protecting the child’s 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 the counsellor and the child. Privacy is especially important in securing and maintaining that trust. In this practice, I provide individual counselling to children and ensure the parent/guardian is involved in the process through regular updates on the child’s progress. However, to ensure a child’s privacy I will not provide detailed information to the parent/guardian regarding the specifics of what the child shared unless the child provides explicit prior consent. Instead, progress reports comprised of engagement feedback, general themes, ideas, recommendations, specialist referrals, safety concerns, etc will be provided, as well as support and encouragement to the parent/guardian if necessary.
This practice adheres to the POPI ACT, 2nd of July 2021.
As a recognised counsellor at the ASCHP, I adhere to the Code of Ethics outlined by the association. Additionally, my personal codes of confidentiality and ethics are outlined in the Professional Services Agreement.
Revoking Consent
Both you and/or your child may end the counselling relationship at any time, without penalty or prejudice.
Contractual obligations regarding late cancellations/no shows as outlined in the Professional Services Agreement will still apply.
While free to discontinue services at any time, it is preferable to have a dedicated final session to ensure the child understands that the counselling will be terminated, and to provide an appropriate closure to the experience.
Waiver of Liability
By allowing the child in your legal care to engage in these counselling sessions, you agree that:
- They do so at their own risk,
- They are voluntarily participating in sessions, and
- You assume all risk of injury (including emotional, psychological, and self-inflicted) to yourself and the child,
- Hell Online Counselling and all employees are released and discharged from any and all claims or causes of action,
known or unknown, arising out of fault, negligence or otherwise, and - You hereby waive and abandon any and all claims of whatever nature, past present or future, including but not limited to that of theft, injury, death, loss, or damage of whatever nature, against Hell Online Counselling, and all employees, whether arising from fault, negligence, or otherwise during use of our services.
- Hell Online Counselling and all employees shall not be liable for, any instances of theft, injury, death, loss, or damage of whatever nature, against Hell Online Counselling, and all employees, whether arising from fault, negligence, or otherwise during use of our services.
Acknowledgement and Consent
By your submission of the Child Intake Form, you indicate that you have read and understand this consent form, and that any questions you had about this consent form were answered to your satisfaction.
You agree that you have read and understand all the elements of the Professional Services Agreement that was submitted in conjunction with this, and the Client Agreement form.
You also acknowledge that, by submitting, you enter into a formal and binding contract with Hell Online Counselling.
You consent that your minor child may be treated as a client by Max Brown of Hell Online Counselling.
This contract will remain in effect until termination of the professional relationship (as outlined in the Professional Services Agreement) or until 24 months after the contract was submitted.
This contract will be eligible for renewal 24 months after it’s submission.
Consent can be revoked at any time.