Service Agreement

Individual Session

Soil Counselling and Parables Place agree to provide Counselling service for you according to this service Confirmation process.

As a client, I understand that my counsellor will help me to understand myself, help me clarify my problems, goals and objectives, and help me look at alternative solutions to my problems. This will involve homework, which I am prepared to commit myself to, as requested. I further understand that I am fully responsible for the decisions I make about my life and behaviour.

As a client, I understand that the model of counselling used looks at the past and the present. It includes the exploring and resolving of past hurts, my family of origin, feelings, thought patterns and communication skills, all having in view personal restoration to wholeness. It is designed to help me focus on achieving optimum health, and encouraging me to seek and find an enriching and fulfilling life.

As a client, I understand that information discussed will be treated confidentially. I also understand that there are some matters that may not be kept secret in counselling. These include: information which I give permission to disclose, matters that relate to possible serious harm to myself or others, children at risk of abuse, matters that need to be disclosed to a court, and matters to be discussed during counselling supervision.

Group Session

Soil Counselling and Parables Place agree to provide Counselling service for you according to this service Confirmation process.

1. Confidentiality

Sharing in group can be anxiety-provoking; therefore, we ask that you keep all information discussed in this group confidential. This request means that you may not discuss the identity or identifying information, or share the reactions of any member of this group with anyone outside of the group. You may talk about your own personal reactions, and are even encouraged to do so outside of group, but not about others’ identifying information or reactions. Exceptions to confidentiality with regard to your therapist(s) still hold: imminent danger to self-and/or others, child/elder abuse.

2. Attendance

Group members are expected to make a commitment to attend all group sessions. Members are also expected to arrive for the group on time every week. Group will always start on time. If you are running late or have an emergency/illness that prohibits you from coming to group, we ask that you call. If you know ahead of time that you will miss a later group session, we ask that you share the date of your absence with the group beforehand. Group will also always end on time, no matter what is being discussed. Weekly attendance will allow everyone to continue the discussion.

Members often feel anxious about participating in groups, and seeing the results can take time. Although the expectation is to complete the group experience, in the event you decide not to continue please explored your concerns with the leader.

3. Active Participation

Members are not required to talk in group, but we know that the more you put in, the more benefits you will receive. We will encourage you to talk honestly about your feelings as opposed to sharing details of stories. We will ask you to do this because not everyone can relate to a life experience, but everyone can understand feelings (e.g., fear, happiness, anger). We realize that asking you to focus on your feelings can be difficult or frustrating at times. However, part of the challenge and benefit of group is to learn new ways of making deeper connections with others.

3. Values; Respect for Human Dignity and Diversity

No group member is ever to be humiliated, hazed, or abused in any way. By signing this and joining group, I agree to avoid this destructive behaviour. We encourage members engage in active listening, with the aim of listening for deep understanding as opposed to listening to respond. We will respect others’ differences, beliefs, cultures, sexual identities, and all other forms of intersecting identities that comprise who we are as unique individuals and as members of various groups. Rather than re-capitulating a culture of silence, in group we strive to recognize and acknowledge the impact of stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, power and privilege as they surface both inside and outside of the group environment. We, strive to meet our commitment to embrace and celebrate diversity in all its richness, and invest in creating a community based on mutual respect, understanding and openness. As a part of group, we expect that we will support each other in the process of self- exploration around issues of diversity and other personal difficulties, challenging our own biases and engaging in courageous dialogues for growth.

ABN: 88 955 360 466