Informed Consent for a Minor to be Counselled /Counselling Services
Last updated: 01March 2024
Welcome to my private practice as a Wellness Counsellor. This page contains important information about my occupational counselling services and business services policies. Please read it carefully and make note of any questions you might have so that we can discuss them at our next meeting. When you sign this document, it will represent an agreement between us.
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 utilize new skills or fully integrate their experiences. 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. But there are no guarantees of 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 caregiver/parent is involved in the process through consultation with them. At times, the parent/caregiver may even participate in the sessions. However, to ensure a child’s privacy I will not provide detailed information to the parent/caregiver regarding what the child shared unless the child provides consent. Instead, general themes, ideas and recommendations will be provided as well as support and encouragement to the parent/caregiver. If it is necessary to refer your child to another health professional with more specialized skills, I will share that information with you.
Other areas of confidentiality will be discussed during the first session with the child in the presence of their parent/caregiver to ensure complete understanding and agreement prior to the initiation of counselling. This practice adheres to the POPI ACT 2nd of July 2021. I as recognised wellness counsellor at ASCHP adhere to the Code of Ethics.
Revoking Consent
Both you and your child (not younger than 7 years) may end the counselling relationship at any time, without penalty or prejudice (except for late cancellations/no shows as identified on the consent for treatment form). While free to discontinue services at any time, it is preferable to have a closing session, phone call or virtual session, to ensure the child understands that the counselling will be terminated and to provide an appropriate closure to the experience.
Fees, Payment and Cancellation
Fees are based on field related tariffs in South Africa for rendering occupational counselling services. Clients will be charged an appropriate fee for any preparation time that is required to comply with informal or formal requests, case conferences and extended phone calls or e-mail responses. Clients are solely responsible to seek possible reimbursement from medical aids and SARS, as ASCHP recognised Counsellors cannot claim back from medical aids. In the case of third party that has taken responsibility for payment, this must be clearly communicated during the intake process. Clients needing to cancel or change an appointment are required to provide twenty-four hours’ notice.