Dear client, welcome to paths. This document contains important information about our psychotherapeutic services and business policies. Please read it carefully. You will be asked to sign this contract to state that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions, prior to your first session.
Psychological Services: What happens in therapy?
Psychotherapy sessions refer to sessions that take place with a Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist or Family therapist. Sessions last between 50 minutes and 1 hour and can take place on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Sessions may become less frequent according to the level of support you may feel that you need at that point in your life. Your first psychotherapy session is a space where you can communicate what you would like to achieve through therapy, then together with your therapist you can discuss what is needed for you to meet your goals.
Confidentiality: Does what I say remain between myself and the therapist?
Confidentiality is maintained as a part of the therapeutic process in accordance with the ethical standards set forth by the psychology profession and applicable law. We will not give any information about you to anyone, without asking for your permission to do so first. There are a few exceptions to confidentiality as mandated by law, in the event of the threat of danger to yourself or to others (including cases of neglect, sexual abuse, terrorism and money laundering). Another exception to confidentiality is if the therapist is called to provide witness in court.
To make sure that we give good service we may discuss your therapeutic process with a supervisor or professionals on our team who can help us gain insight and provide you with a better service. During such consultation, no information that may reveal your identity will be given. The supervisor or other professionals are also legally bound to keep the information confidential.
If you are attending couple therapy sessions, please keep in mind that your relationship is our client. In order to maintain fidelity, the therapist will not keep secrets between partners. In the event that your couple therapist suggests that you and your partner attend sessions separately before continuing with couple therapy, then both partners will need to attend an equal number of individual sessions in order to support the couple. If, while attending couple’s therapy, there is information that you wish to work on but would not like to disclose with your partner, we can refer you to another therapist for individual therapy that you can choose to attend simultaneously with couple therapy. Please keep in mind that we will not appear in court to provide testimony, and we are unable to make legal recommendations for you or your dependents.
General Data Protection Policy: What information will you keep about me?
In addition to this form, your client file will contain the information you have given us in the intake sheet. All client files are kept in a safe, locked storage system and will be destroyed from the clinic’s records five (5) years after you terminate therapy. Personal data can be stored on an electric storage device (including internet cloud or similar storage systems which are also compliant with GDPR), which device shall be subject to the direct or indirect control of the professional rendering such service. If a breach of personal data occurs at any stage, the professional rendering service is bound to notify you and the regulator within 72 hours of such occurrence. The professional is bound to provide you with a report explaining what action was taken and how such matter is to be resolved.
As a client, you have the right to require the amending or withdrawal of any data divulged in this Client Contract of Service, at any time. The professional rendering service will make necessary arrangements for your personal data to be passed on to another member of the same profession in case of death or other very serious circumstances.
For further information, you can access our Clients Privacy Policy.
Contact between sessions: When can I talk to my therapist?
Communication between client and therapist is usually made during the therapy session itself and contact outside of the therapeutic frame is not recommended. If you need to talk to the therapist urgently in between sessions, you can contact the clinic on our mobile phone number +356 9901 3629 or email address info@paths.care and the psychology assistant will leave a message with the therapist. We will make every effort to return your call or email within 24 hours except on weekends and public holidays.
Therapists and clinic staff will not give out their personal mobile phone numbers and may not add clients as friends on social media or any other medium outside of therapy with the aim of protecting the therapeutic frame. Should you meet your therapist in a social situation s/he will wait for you to acknowledge them first, to give you control over making contact.
Fees and Cancellation Policy
Our hourly rate is of €60 (sixty Euro) with a graduated psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellor or family therapist, and €30 (thirty Euro) with a trainee therapist. Fees will be collected either before or after every session at the reception desk. We will do our utmost to remind you about your appointment the day before your scheduled session. If you need to cancel your appointment, please inform us at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments cancelled in less than a 24 hour notice will be charged for in full.
CCTV Policy
Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) are installed internally and externally at the premises of paths Clinics, for the purpose of enhancing the security of the building and its associated equipment both during and after opening hours. CCTV surveillance is intended for the purposes of protecting the building, ensuring the safety of staff and clients and for assisting in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting offenders in relation to theft and vandalism. No CCTV systems are installed in therapy rooms and recording of any kind is strictly prohibited during therapy sessions.
