COUNSELLOR & PSYCHOTHERAPIST:
Shane McGrath BA(Hons), Addiction Counselling; MA(Hons), Counselling & Psychotherapy. Accredited with Addiction Counsellors Ireland, (ACI).
CONFIDENTIALITY:
This is a very important part of the counselling relationship. Everything discussed in the counselling session will be kept in strict confidence, except if during our sessions you tell me; that you are in immediate danger of taking your own life or seriously harming someone else; or that the safety of a child is at risk; or the identity of someone involved in child abuse either currently or in the past, or in other unforeseen circumstances. In these events I may need to break confidentiality. This will only take place with your prior knowledge.
SUPERVISION:
As a fully accredited member of Addiction Counsellors Ireland (ACI), I am required to attend clinical supervision. During supervision I may need to discuss our work but at no time will I disclose your name or any detail that would identify you.
SESSIONS:
Sessions last 50 minutes, usually taking place once a week, on a flexible user-friendly basis. In the case of students and trainees, you may wish to spread your attendance over the duration of your course of study, perhaps three or four years. In such instances one session every three weeks or once a month can be facilitated. The whole session time belongs to you, if you arrive half-way through your allotted time I will still see you for the remainder of the time.
CANCELLATION:
Cancellation 24 hours prior to appointment will be necessary. I will give you as much notice as possible if I am unable to attend a session.
DURATION OF SESSIONS:
I recommend 6 to 8 sessions which then can be reviewed. In the case of students and trainees of counselling/psychotherapy, the required hours will depend on which body you wish to become accredited by (usually 50). From time to time the client may feel that the counselling relationship is not a good “fit” for them, and this is fine. It is important for you to know that the client decides whether or not to continue.
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:
I will endeavour to have another individual on the premises when we are working together. This however may not always be possible, in this case the client or therapist may decline to proceed with the session.
DUTY OF THE CLIENT:
If the client presents in an intoxicated or heavily medicated condition which I deem to be a safety/impairment risk to both, or either individual present, the session will be terminated.
HAVING READ THE ABOVE, PLEASE CHECK THE BOX BELOW IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS AS SET OUT AND ARE HAPPY TO PROCEED.