The Contract 

Whilst this contract contains all essential information, it may be that I make small changes that are not always immediately shown on this site.

Contract between ................... and Dr. Mitra Babak

Beginnings 
Agreeing to work together means that we have contracted to meet at an arranged time, usually for fifty minutes, and in a safe setting, in order for you to examine any issues or problems you care to discuss. My role is to facilitate your process, and help you move towards change if appropriate, but the principle is that you lead the process and make choices about the direction of travel.

 

Regularity of attendance

The effectiveness of counselling and one’s understanding of how it works evolves over a series of sessions.  It is thus more effective to have a course of sessions than to have one or two solitary sessions.  Regular attendance is therefore helpful for you, and also for me in trying to help you.

Confidentiality
Anything you choose to say to me within sessions remains confidential with the following exceptions:

 

Supervision 
I may sometimes feel it would be beneficial to discuss your sessions with my supervisor, or with other professional colleagues. These discussions will also be in confidence, and the purpose is always to enable me to be more effective in our work together.
 

Danger to self or others 
If you give me information that leads me to believe that somebody is in danger of serious harm, then I may feel obliged to take further steps. I would normally discuss this with you first, if possible.
 

Internet or electronic communications
Nothing sent by e-mail or electronic equipment is completely safe, so please be aware of this if you contact me via, for example, e-mail, mobile phone or Skype.
 

Non-judgemental and Safe environment

This sort of counselling is non-judgemental and safe, so that you should feel able to speak about any matters you wish to raise without feeling criticised or vulnerable in any way.

 

Your needs

The focus of the process is on your needs.

 

Cancellations / lateness 
If you cancel a session with less than three working days' notice, you will be charged the full fee. If you have not cancelled, I assume you are coming, and you will be charged for that session.

Code of ethics 
I abide by the BACP  (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical Framework. If you are not familiar with this, please look at their web site, at www.bacp.co.uk

Contact between sessions
This is normally restricted to short messages relating to practical issues such as timing of sessions. Longer contact is possible, by arrangement, and will be charged at the normal rate.

Notes
Normally, I take brief notes after each session. This allows me to reflect on the work we have done together. If, at any time, you would like to see these notes, please feel free to ask.

Fees
From time to time I may increase the fee. I will give you at least 4 weeks' notice before-hand.

Endings
Once we have agreed to work together, unless we have agreed a fixed number of sessions, my commitment to you is open-ended. When you are ready to stop, I ask for at least one sessions notice, so that we both have time to reflect on how best to end our time together.