THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TERMS OF SERVICE AGREEMENT & INFORMED CONSENT

This Agreement is intended to provide the Client(s) (Individual, Couple, Families, or Parent/Guardian of a Minor) with important information regarding the policies of Balanced Life Psychotherapy & Counselling Pte Ltd. (the "Therapist") and to clarify the terms of the professional therapeutic relationship.

1. Nature of Services

• Approach: Therapy is a joint effort with identified goals. Modalities used (e.g., Family Therapy, Gottman Method, CBT, etc.) depend on the assessment of your needs.

• Risks: Psychotherapy is a process in which Therapist and Client discuss a myriad of issues, events, experiences and memories for the purpose of creating positive change. Individual therapy starts with an assessment of the problem(s) past and present. It provides an opportunity to better, and more deeply understand oneself, and the unhelpful patterns that might be altered. Psychotherapy is a joint effort between Client and Therapist bolstered with identified and agreed upon therapeutic goals. Progress and success may vary depending upon the particular problems or issues being addressed, as well as many other factors. Participating in therapy may also involve some discomfort, including remembering and discussing unpleasant events, feelings and experiences. The process may evoke strong feelings of sadness, anger, fear, etc. There may be times in which Therapist will challenge Client’s perceptions and assumptions and offer different perspectives. Therapy does not in any way guarantee miracles.

  Sometimes, during the therapeutic process, many Clients find that their situation gets worse before they feel better. This is generally a normal course of events. Personal growth and change may be easy and swift at times but may also be slow and frustrating. Client should address any concerns he/she has regarding his/her progress in therapy with Therapist. Sometimes the therapist may also recommend medical assessment/help or other support in case of some underlying and long-term psychological issues that are noticed in sessions. In such cases, clients are responsible for following the recommendations. The therapist bears professional responsibility to end therapy if these issues continue to block progress or pose a greater risk that therapy alone can address or prevent. Occasionally, Therapist may recommend that Client(s) invite more members of the family to provide their perspectives and feedback. Therapist regularly participates in clinical, ethical, and legal consultation with appropriate professionals. During such consultations, Therapist will not reveal any personally identifying information regarding Client.

• Couples Therapy specific: Both partners must be present for sessions. The Therapist operates a "No Secrets" policy; information shared individually will be brought into the joint session. The unit of treatment served will be the couple. What this means is that rather than either individual within the couple being the unit of treatment, it is the relationship that takes precedence. At times individual therapy might be a useful or necessary adjunct to couples therapy/counselling in order that each individual work through his/her own specific challenges. Therapist can help to refer individuals within the couple to other therapists for individual therapy if desired. Each member of the couple understands that the true Client for the purposes of treatment is the relationship. Sometimes the therapist may also recommend medical assessment/help or other support in case of some underlying and long-term psychological issues that are noticed in sessions. In such cases, clients are responsible for following the recommendations. The therapist bears professional responsibility to end therapy if these issues continue to block progress or pose a greater risk that therapy alone can address or prevent. The clients understand the information discussed in couples therapy is for therapeutic purposes and is not intended for use in any legal proceedings involving partners.

  What couples counselling/therapy is: neutral, structured, educational, a way to grow as a couple, making changes to improve the relationship, owning up to your own mistakes, and forgiveness.  What couples counselling/therapy isn’t: about proving who’s right or wrong, professionally ganging up on your partner, “fighting it out”, making yourself happy at the other’s expense, forcing the other person to change, proving the other person wrong, or blaming.

• Minors (under 18) specific: Therapy for a client under the age of 18 (herein "Minor") may only begin once a parent or legal guardian with the authority to consent to the Minor's healthcare has signed the Agreement for Service / Informed Consent. By signing, that parent or guardian confirms they hold such authority; that, where another parent or guardian shares legal custody, care and control, they are aware of and do not object to the Minor attending therapy; and that they will inform the Therapist promptly of any change in custody arrangements or of any ongoing or anticipated family court proceedings. Where practical the Therapist will also seek the Minor's own assent, and the Minor is asked to sign the Agreement alongside the parent or guardian. The unit of treatment served will be the Minor. What this means is that while the parent or guardian consents to and is responsible for the treatment, the Minor is the person in therapy and the therapeutic relationship is with them. So that the Minor can speak freely, the Therapist will share with the parent or guardian a general account of themes, progress and any recommendations, rather than a session-by-session record of what the Minor has said — save where the Therapist judges disclosure necessary to protect the Minor or another person from harm, or where disclosure is required by Singapore law. The exceptions to confidentiality set out below, including suspected abuse and imminent risk of harm to self or others, apply in full and take precedence, and the Therapist will contact the parent or guardian without delay in such circumstances. A parent or guardian is expected to remain contactable during the Minor's sessions for this reason. The parent or guardian assumes full responsibility for the Minor's use of services, including the Minor's travel to and from sessions and supervision before and after the session, and agrees to hold the Therapist and BLPC harmless and to indemnify them against any liability to themselves, the Minor, or any third party arising out of the Minor's use of the services, save negligence. The parent or guardian remains responsible for all fees and for charges arising under the cancellation policy, whether or not the Minor attends. Where the Therapist recommends medical, psychiatric or educational assessment or additional support, the parent or guardian is responsible for following those recommendations; the Therapist bears professional responsibility to end therapy if these issues continue to block progress or pose a greater risk than therapy alone can address or prevent. The parent, guardian and Minor understand that information discussed in therapy with a Minor is for therapeutic purposes and is not intended for use in any legal proceedings, including any proceedings concerning custody, care and control, or access. The Therapist does not prepare custody evaluations, welfare reports, or letters for use in family proceedings, and will not voluntarily participate in such proceedings. When the Minor reaches the age of 18, the rights and responsibilities under this Agreement, including consent to continued therapy and control of their records, pass to them.

  What therapy with a Minor is: a confidential space for a young person to be heard, developmentally appropriate, collaborative with the family where that helps, and focused on the Minor's wellbeing. What therapy with a Minor isn't: a means of obtaining a report on a child for use against the other parent, a disciplinary measure, a channel for one parent to gather information about the other, a substitute for psychiatric or medical care where that is needed, or a service that can be entered into on a Minor's behalf by an adult without the authority to consent.

• Online sessions. Where sessions are conducted online, the Therapist will confirm the Client's identity at the start of each session and will agree in advance what happens if the connection fails. Online work carries risks that in-person work does not, including limits to privacy at the Client's end and the possibility of technical interruption; by agreeing to online sessions the Client accepts these. Where the Client is a Minor, the parent or guardian is responsible for ensuring the Minor has a private, uninterrupted space for the session and is able to use the technology. Where the Therapist is practising from Singapore, the law of Singapore governs the counselling relationship regardless of where the Client is located at the time of a session. The Therapist will advise where online work is not clinically appropriate and will recommend in-person sessions instead.

2. Confidentiality & Data Protection

Information is confidential and will not be released without written authorization, except as required by law.

• Legal Exceptions: Confidentiality must be breached in cases of suspected abuse (child/elder), imminent threat of harm to self or others, or when mandated by a Singapore court order.Where the client is under 18, the exceptions above apply and the Therapist will inform the parent or legal guardian. Personal data of a client under 13 is collected, used and disclosed on the consent of their parent or legal guardian; a client aged 13 to 17 may consent to the handling of their own personal data where the Therapist is satisfied they understand what they are consenting to.

• Record Keeping: Records are the property of the Therapist. They are maintained for two years following termination of services, before being destroyed. Records relating to a client who was under 18 at the time of treatment are retained for a longer period than the standard two years, in line with the Therapist's professional and legal obligations.

• No Recording: Clients agree not to take any audio or video recordings of sessions. However, sometimes it is useful to audio and/or videotape sessions to ensure that Therapist is able to discover additional nuances of the session and for consultation purposes. Moreover, in some cases, such recordings might aid in the therapeutic process itself by allowing Clients to audit behaviours, tones, and information that they otherwise would be unaware of. Client reserves the right at any time to refuse audio and/or video recording during any and all sessions. In such cases where Client prefers not to be recorded, Client should request this at the beginning of the session. Of course, should Client decide after the session has begun, Client still reserves the right to subsequently end the recording of the session. In any case, all recordings will be confidential as with any written records. Recordings will be kept in password protected format and will be destroyed once the usefulness of the recording has expired.

• Psychotherapist-Client Privilege: The information disclosed by Client, as well as any records created, is subject to the Psychotherapist-Client privilege. The Psychotherapist-Client privilege results from the special relationship between Therapist and Client in the eyes of the law. It is akin to the attorney-client privilege or the Doctor-Client privilege. Typically, the Client is the holder of the Psychotherapist-Client privilege. If Therapist receives a subpoena for records, deposition testimony, or testimony in a court of law, Therapist will assert the Psychotherapist- Client privilege on Client’s behalf until instructed, in writing, to do otherwise by Client or Client’s representative. Client should be aware that he/she might be waiving the Psychotherapist-Client privilege if he/she makes his/her mental or emotional state an issue in a legal proceeding. Client should address any concerns he/she might have regarding the Psychotherapist-Client privilege with his/her attorney.

3. Fees & Administrative Policies

• Payment: Fees must be paid at the time of booking confirmation (within 24 hours of booking). For urgent bookings (less than 24 hours away), payment is due within 3 hours. A screenshot of payment must be sent to the admin phone. Therapist reserves the right to periodically adjust the fee. Client will be notified of any fee adjustment in advance. From time-to-time, Therapist may engage in telephone contact with Client for purposes other than scheduling sessions. Client is responsible for payment of the agreed upon fee (on a pro rata basis) for any telephone calls longer than ten minutes. In addition, from time-to-time, Therapist may engage in telephone contact with third parties at Client’s request and with Client’s advance written authorization. Client is responsible for payment of the agreed upon fee (on a pro rata basis) for any telephone calls longer than ten minutes.Where the client is a Minor, the parent or legal guardian who signed the Agreement remains responsible for all fees and cancellation charges.

• Session Length and Frequency: Standard individual sessions are 60 minutes; couples sessions are 60–90 minutes. Longer sessions may be arranged by mutual agreement. Individual and couples therapy typically starts with weekly sessions. Subsequently, on mutual agreement, the frequency can be changed. During times of escalation, the therapist may recommend increased frequency. In the initial phase of therapy, the therapists request that clients plan for at least 90 minutes per session so there is room to handle escalations and try their best to resolve issues in a calm manner. However, there are no guarantees that this will always be the case. Sometimes, the therapist will highlight safeguarding boundaries to be respected until the next session. This is done so the therapist can also decide what can realistically be addressed in one session and avoid delaying other clients’ appointments that day. There will be no coercion, which is why our practice does not offer packages. However, clients are responsible for maintaining their own safety.

• Cancellations: A minimum of 24 hours' notice (within working hours: Mon–Sat, 9 am–7 pm) is required.

  • Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice or no-shows incur a 100% charge.

  • Please note that outside the cancellation policy hours (less than 24 hours before the agreed-upon appointment time), the booking amount will not be refunded for late cancellation unless there is: Medical reason with substantiation, compassionate reason with document(s) / substantiation or last-minute government-related call-ups that must be backed up with document(s).  In case any of the above are provided with authenticity, 50% will be deducted. The reason is that we book therapists’ time and therapy rooms as per client requests, and when cancellations happen outside the stated hours, we have to pay forward.

  • Therapist will inform the Client about leave at least 3 weeks in advance. Client is required to inform the therapist about their holiday at least 2 weeks in advance.

• Communication: WhatsApp text is for scheduling and administrative matters only (+65 82017560). The Therapist does not provide therapy via phone or email.

• Working with our admin staff: We aim to offer a warm, safe and professional service to everyone. Our admin staff handle bookings, clarifications, fees and forms. Clinical matters are confidential and to be discussed only with your therapist. Messages are reviewed during office hours only. We are not able to offer urgent or crisis messaging support (see our FAQ section for help and resources for emergencies). We welcome feedback and concerns - please share them respectfully so we can help and improve. Please email admin@blpctherapy.com with any feedback. We aim to acknowledge and respond within 5 business days.

  Please be respectful with our admin staff and therapists. Abusive, threatening, discriminatory, sexually explicit or harassing language is not acceptable. Please desist from sending repeated messages after a boundary is set or attempt to pressure our staff to act outside policy. If boundaries are crossed, we will (a) name the concern and invite a reset, (b) pause the conversation if the tone continues, and (c) if needed, discuss continuing care options with your therapist, which may include transferring care with signposting to other services.

4. Termination & Dispute Resolution

• Termination: Either party may terminate therapy at their discretion. Reasons for Therapist-led termination include non-payment, lack of progress, or needs being outside the scope of practice. Upon either party’s decision to terminate therapy, Therapist will generally recommend that Client participate in at least one, or possibly more, termination sessions. These sessions are intended to facilitate a positive termination experience and give both parties an opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done. Therapist will also attempt to ensure a smooth transition to another therapist by offering referrals to Client.

• Litigation: Clients agree not to subpoena the Therapist or records for legal proceedings. If the Therapist is legally compelled to appear, Clients agree to reimburse the Therapist for all time spent (including travel and preparation) at their standard hourly rate for face to face psychotherapy (published on website).

• Jurisdiction: This agreement is governed by the Laws of Singapore, and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Singapore Courts.

5. Emergency Support (Singapore)

The Therapist is not a crisis service. In an emergency, please contact:

Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance)

999 / 995

National Mindline (MOH) - replaces the former IMH helpline

1771

SOS (Samaritans of Singapore)

1767 (or WhatsApp 9151 1767)

National Anti-Violence Helpline

1800 777 0000

For children and young people directly

• Tinkle Friend — 1800 2744 788, a helpline for primary-school-aged children. Monday to Friday, 2.30pm–5pm only — please use 1767 or 995 outside these hours.

• CHAT (Institute of Mental Health) — mental health checks for young people aged 16–30, via 1771 or WhatsApp 6669 1771

Acknowledgement & Consent

By signing our intake and informed consent form, clients acknowledge that they have read and understood the terms above and consent to participate in treatment. Client has discussed such terms and conditions with Therapist, and has had any questions with regard to its terms and conditions answered to Client’s satisfaction. Moreover, Client agrees to hold Therapist free and harmless from any claims, demands, or suits for damages from any injury or complications whatsoever, save negligence, that may result from such treatment.

(last updated August 26, 2026)