Before you provide your consent to begin counselling, I hope to fully inform you about the counselling process by providing you with the counselling agreement below.
Please read this document carefully, it represents an agreement between you and your counsellor at Mixed Feelings Therapy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email: nicole@mixedfeelingstherapy.com
The terms of this agreement are set out as follows:
Seeking counselling is a courageous step, and partnering with a counsellor whom you feel emotionally safe and understood is crucial. I will provide a gentle, supportive, and non-judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and current life situations, proceeding at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
I believe you are the expert in your own life, and we will work together to enhance your understanding of yourself and your circumstances, empowering you to identify solutions that align with your values and goals. I'll also offer guidance on developing skills and strategies to support positive change and well-being.
Modality & Risks.
I primarily utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a scientifically based behavioral therapy. Despite its name, ‘acceptance’ does not imply ‘giving in’ or ‘tolerating’ your circumstances. Instead, it focuses on cultivating a rich, meaningful life while effectively managing pain, stress, and uncomfortable emotions.
ACT achieves this through two key approaches:
1. Developing psychological skills to manage painful thoughts and feelings, reducing their impact and influence.
2. Clarifying personal values and using them to guide, inspire, and motivate meaningful life changes.
No one can guarantee that counselling will produce certain results. There are some risks associated with counselling. For example, you may discover things about yourself that are uncomfortable; sometimes relationships may change as a result of counselling. If you are discussing an upsetting event, sometimes the feelings may become more intense. I can assure you that I will use my professional skills to the best of my ability to address your concerns and help manage possible risks.
Session Structure.
Sessions typically occur weekly, lasting 60 minutes.
Clients can choose a fixed number of sessions or book appointments as needed.
Session 1: Initial Meeting
We will clarify any questions or concerns about the counselling agreement and begin exploring the situations, thoughts, and feelings that led you to seek counselling. Develop a broad counselling plan and focus-in on priorities and outcomes you’re hoping to achieve.
Session 2: Reflection and Adjustment
Review the previous week's progress, assess direction, and make adjustments as needed.
Ongoing Sessions (Session 3+): Progress and Feedback
I'll regularly seek your feedback to ensure we're working towards your goals effectively. We'll continue to explore and develop strategies to support your growth.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As we approach our final session, we'll discuss your progress, feelings, and goals. If you're ready to conclude, we'll explore self-support strategies to maintain your momentum. If you're not ready to conclude, we can discuss continuing our work together or setting new goals.
Confidentiality has limits.
It is your right to receive a private and confidential counselling service. This means that I must protect your privacy and not share information about you with others, including health professionals or family members.
However, before you share personal information with the counsellor, it is important for you to understand that in some situations, the counsellor is required by law, or by the guidelines of their profession to disclose personal information whether the counsellor has the client’s permission or not.
This may be personal information about you or information you have disclosed to me (verbally or in written form) including your present location or address and extends to the fact that you have attended or are going to attend counselling with me.
I have a legally bound duty of care, to take the necessary steps to prevent danger or death from happening. This includes (but not limited to) notifying the appropriate authorities and cooperating where necessary.
These circumstances are:
Where I consider you to be at risk of being harmed, harming yourself or someone else.
Where I consider a child (under 16 years of age) to be at risk of harm.
Where I consider a significant crime may be or has been committed.
Where your counselling records, or part thereof, have been requested by a court of law.
When you have signed your written permission for a referral to another service provider.
At times, I may discuss aspects of our work together with my professional supervisor. This is an important part of meeting my professional responsibilities. I will not provide information that could identify you during these discussions.
Record keeping and taking notes.
I will retain information relevant to your counselling services, including this agreement, contact information and the notes I will be writing during each session. These are critical to helping me keep track of our progress together and for the purposes of accountability.
To enhance my services, I may utilize AI note-taking software which generates a written summary of our conversation allowing me to focus more on you, the client.
I have a legal obligation to protect this information, and I do so by ensuring that:
All electronic records and notes are stored privately and securely where only I have access to these files. The AI tools I use adhere to rigorous data protection protocols.
You can obtain a copy of your notes upon written request.
Your identifying information such as your name and contact details are kept separately to the notes I take during our counselling sessions.
We keep these notes for 7 years from the date of your last contact with this service. In some cases, I may be required by law to retain records for a longer period.
Client Responsibilities.
Pre-Session Guidelines
To ensure a smooth and effective online counseling experience, please follow these guidelines:
1. Test Your Setup: Upon receiving the meeting link, use the “test your setup" option to ensure technical readiness.
2. Protect Your Privacy: Access sessions from a quiet, private location. Use a password-protected email account for correspondence.
Active Participation: Recognize that only you can create change in your life. Be open to learning, practicing new skills, and actively working on personal issues.
Respect and Courtesy: Treat your counsellor with respect and courtesy, refraining from abusive or violent behaviour.
Open Communication: Inform your counsellor of any changes or concerns that may impact the therapeutic relationship.
Post-Session Care: Discuss any concerns or discomfort with your counsellor and prioritise rest and self-compassion after sessions.
Disclosing your location.
To effectively manage a crisis situation, it is a requirement for me to collect your physical address/location at the beginning of our online counselling sessions.
Referrals.
If you have service needs beyond my professional scope, I will endeavour to help you identify appropriate referral options. You have the right to request, in writing that the counsellor discuss client progress with another health provider or provide a copy of the client file.
Diagnosis.
If you are seeking a mental health diagnosis, please contact a General Practitioner or Psychologist.
Insurances. Claims. Healthcare plans. Rebates.
Sorry, we are unable to receive:
Medicare funded health-care plans.
NDIS funded health-care plans.
Health insurance or Work-cover / compensation claims.
Court Orders.
Any court orders that warrant the client to attend counselling must be discussed with the counsellor prior to scheduling an appointment.
Ending Counselling.
You have the right to end your counselling service at any time. Usually this happens by mutual agreement within sessions. Please inform me if you decide not to continue. If at any time I feel that our counselling is no longer appropriate for you, I will discuss this with you; I may suggest discontinuation or a referral to a more appropriate service.
Online Platform:
Google Meet (HIPPA compliant – for your privacy).
Appointment Duration:
60 minutes
Appointment Payments:
Payments are made at time of booking. Please see 'Appointments' for current fees.
Service Area:
Mixed Feelings Therapy provides counselling services to clients worldwide (excluding USA and Canada). This service is for people over the age of 18.
Time zones:
All Appointments are conducted online in Brisbane, Queensland time (AEST) Australia.
Technical difficulties:
If our counselling session is impacted (visual or audio) by any technical difficulties required to conduct counselling (ie. poor internet connection, browser or software issues) we may continue our session via a phone call or by rescheduling.
Video or voice recording is not permitted:
Online sessions are not permitted to be recorded by video/audio by client or counsellor. This is a preventative measure against privacy breaches and identity fraud. You are welcome to take notes or transcribe our sessions in writing.
Refunds / Cancelling appointments:
Refunds will be issued for canceled appointments where (24) hours notice is provided.
Please request a refund or cancellation via email.
Missed / Late for appointments:
If you do not attend your appointment, after five minutes we will attempt to contact you via phone. You are welcome to arrive late to your appointment, however the session will still end at the appointed time, and it will be charged in full.
Appointments can be rescheduled as necessary, so long as (24) hours notice is provided. Please reschedule via email. In rare cases, counselling appointments may need to be rescheduled by your counsellor. We will endeavor to provide you with as much notice as possible.
Between Sessions:
We are unable to provide counselling services between appointments. Contact via email will be limited to practical arrangements only - such as booking or altering session times.
If you are needing to discuss something, please send me an email and I will contact you. I also suggest you write down what you were hoping to discuss and bring it with you to our next session together.
Emergency / Crisis
Mixed Feelings Therapy is not a crisis service. If you find yourself in an emergency, a life-threatening situation or crisis requiring immediate assistance, please call 000 without delay, attend your nearest hospital emergency department, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14.
If you are experiencing Domestic Violence, please call: 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
I have read and discussed where necessary with the counsellor, the contents of this agreement and I understand and agree to the terms set out.
I understand that my privacy and confidentiality have limitations as per this agreement.
I understand that the counsellor will take notes during our session and written AI transcriptions may be used.
I understand that this document is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the counsellor.
I am aged 18 or above.
I am not located within the USA or Canada.
I agree to provide my location upon request from the counsellor.
End of Counselling Agreement document. Created 25/6/2025.