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.

3. 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.

• Record Keeping: Records are the property of the Therapist. They are maintained for two years following termination of services, before being destroyed.

• 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.

4. 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.

• 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.

5. 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.

6. Emergency Support (Singapore 24/7)

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

Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance)

999 / 995

National Mindline (MOH)

1771

SOS (Samaritans of Singapore)

1767 (or WhatsApp 9151 1767)

IMH Mental Health Helpline

6389 2222

National Anti-Violence Helpline

1800 777 0000

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.