Understanding Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, often referred to as 'talk therapy', is a method designed to assist individuals facing emotional challenges, personal concerns, relationship difficulties, and specific mental disorders such as depression or anxiety. It aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of oneself, and how thoughts and feelings influence behaviour, reactions, and relationships, thus promoting a fulfilling life.
The initial session typically begins with an assessment to identify symptoms and behaviours that may be impacting your overall well-being. Psychotherapy is a collaborative effort between you and the therapist. The pace and progress of therapy can vary and largely depend on the nature of the concerns addressed and your active participation.
Potential Risks and Benefits of Psychotherapy
Individuals consult with Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) for a variety of reasons. We will make every effort to respect your individual needs and goals in treatment. The therapy process involves a working partnership between you and your MHP. Our work may include a variety of activities, and for optimum outcomes to occur, your active participation is essential. We will attempt to help you achieve your goals, but we cannot guarantee that the outcome will be what you now seek. In addition, change is often accompanied by feeling states that can be distressing. You may experience moments of frustration, anxiety, feelings of depression, self-doubt, and confusion. While we are trained, licensed and experienced MHPs, we cannot guarantee change nor can we promise that all problems will be resolved.
For counselling therapy with children under the age of 14, it is our policy to request an agreement in which parents (or guardians) consent to give up access to the child’s records. If a diagnostic evaluation or assessment is requested, we will discuss findings, results, and treatment plans with you. Most of the minors we see are brought voluntarily by their parents and come with parental knowledge. In such circumstances, parents are often understandably curious about the treatment of their children. It is our position, however, that young people need to develop trust in their therapist and need some degree of security and privacy. Therefore, we specifically request that you limit your inquiry about the details of their therapy. We need you to know that we will, indeed, bring to your attention matters that we believe are important for you to know, and we request that you trust our judgment about this important issue. We also hope that you will refrain from asking your child what has transpired in therapy or diagnostic sessions.
If your child is 14 or over, we cannot discuss anything about evaluation or treatment with you without the written Authorization from your child.
Confidentiality
The law protects the privacy of all communications between a Client and a therapist. In most situations, we can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written Authorization. There are other situations that require only that you provide written, advance consent. Your signature on this Agreement provides consent for those activities, as follows:
- We may occasionally find it helpful to consult other health, therapy, and mental health professionals about a case. During a consultation, we avoid revealing the identity of our Client. Nonetheless, the other professionals are still legally bound to keep the information confidential. Unless you object, we may not tell you about these consultations, unless we feel that it is important to our work together.
- You should be aware that we practice with other therapists and mental health professionals, and that we employ administrative staff. In most cases, we need to share protected information with these individuals for both clinical and administrative purposes, such as scheduling, billing and quality assurance. All of the mental health professionals are bound by the same rules of confidentiality. All staff members have been given training about protecting your privacy and have agreed not to release any information outside of the practice.
- If a Client threatens to harm himself/herself, we may be obligated to seek hospitalization for him/her, or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection.
There are some situations where we are permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or authorization.
- If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning your diagnosis and treatment, such information is protected by the psychologist-Client privilege law. We cannot provide any information without your (or your legal representative’s) written authorization, or a court order. If you are involved or contemplating litigation, you should consult with your attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order us to disclose information.
- If a Client files a complaint or lawsuit against one of us, we may disclose relevant information regarding that Client in order to defend ourselves.
- If a Client files a worker’s compensation claim, we may disclose information relevant to that claim to the Client’s employer or the insurer.
There are some situations in which we are legally obligated to take actions, which we believe are necessary to attempt to protect others from harm, and we may have to reveal some information about a Client’s treatment. These situations are unusual in our practice.
- If we know or suspect that a Client under the age of 18 has been abused or neglected, the law requires that we file a report with the appropriate governmental agency. Once such a report is filed, we may be required to provide additional information.
- If we know or suspect that an elderly or disabled adult has been abused, neglected, exploited, sexually or emotionally abused, the law requires that we file a report with the appropriate governmental agency. Once such a report is filed, we may be required to provide additional information.
- If we believe that disclosing information about you is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health and safety of an identifiable person(s), we may disclose that information, but only to those reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat.
If one of these situations arises, we will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action, and we will limit our disclosure to what is necessary. While this written summary of exceptions to confidentiality should prove helpful in informing you about potential problems, it is important that we discuss any questions or concerns that you may have now or in the future. The laws governing confidentiality can be quite complex. In situations where specific advice is required, formal legal advice may be needed.
Harassment (of any kind)
Planet Mind strongly prohibits harassment of any kind from all parties. Planet Mind will take appropriate and immediate action in response to complaints or knowledge of violations of this policy. For purposes of this policy, harassment is any verbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate or coerce a client of Planet Mind, an employee, co-worker, or any person working for or on behalf of Planet Mind.
In the event of any form of harassment was identified, it will be documented in the Incident Report (IR) as written evidence to facilitate potential police report, whenever deemed necessary. The IR and case will then be reviewed by Planet Mind's clinical director for appropriate and immediate action, in the account of the first violation. The client's services at Planet Mind will be immediately terminated upon second violation.
Professional Fees
At Planet Mind Care, we believe in transparency and mutual understanding when it comes to the fees for our services. This informed consent outlines our fee structure for the different therapy sessions offered. Please review the following information carefully:
Initial Consultation Session
The initial consultation session is a crucial first step in your therapy journey. It involves a detailed discussion of your current situation, concerns, and therapeutic goals. This session typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes.
- For registered therapist: The cost for the initial consultation session is RM 250.
- For senior consultants: The cost for the initial consultation session is RM 550.
- For pre-licensed consultants: The cost for the initial consultation session is RM 80.
Standard Therapy Sessions
Following the initial consultation, standard therapy sessions usually last for 50 minutes.
- For registered therapist: The standard rate for each session is RM 200.
- For senior consultants: The standard rate for each session is RM 500.
- For pre-licensed consultants: The standard rate for each session is RM 50.
Please note that all fees must be paid in full at the time of each session. Payment can be made by cash and electronic transfer.
By continuing with the therapy process, you acknowledge and accept the fee structure outlined above.
Fees are subject to change at any time with or without prior notice.
Attendance and Cancellation Policies
As therapists, we work as service providers. Therefore, our only commodity is our time (and expertise). A scheduled appointment is like a contract: the client has hired us to provide our undivided attention during a specified period of time. When someone fails to appear for a scheduled appointment, we are not able to fill in that time with another client. When appointments are cancelled less than 24 hours before the appointment, we likewise may not be able to fill the time. Therapists needing to cancel their scheduled appointments with families will also provide 24 hours’ notice prior to appointment when possible.
Attendance: Please be punctual for your appointments. If you are late, the session will end at the originally scheduled time and will be billed for the full session.
Cancellation: In the event that you must cancel your appointment, we again require at least 24 hours' notice. Please be aware that a 10% processing fee will be deducted from any refunds provided. Once your cancellation request is processed, typically within 72 hours, we will issue a refund for 90% of your original payment.
No Show/Cancellation less than 24 hours: In case of a no-show, where you fail to attend a session without prior notification, 50% of the total therapy fees will be forfeited. This policy allows us to manage our therapists' time effectively and accommodate other clients who may be waiting for an appointment.
For emergencies: Please notify us at least 2 hours in advance to avoid the cancellation fee. Emergency cancellations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the therapist needs to cancel a session, every effort will be made to reschedule it.
Illness: If you or your child has any of the following symptoms, treatment should be cancelled.
- Fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher, diarrhoea, or vomiting within 24 hours of treatment time.
- Serious sneezing or coughing, especially with mucous present.
- Watering/mattering eyes, discharge from ears.
- Runny nose when discharge is NOT clear.
- When child or member of household is exposed to serious childhood illnesses like chicken pox, measles, hand/foot/mouth disease, RSV, etc.
- Unusual spots, rashes, or bruises not associated with injury. • Sore throat or difficulty swallowing.
- Unusual behaviour, child does not feel well enough to participate in normal activities.
Please note that therapy sessions will not be conducted if you are under the influence of alcohol or substances.
Termination of Therapy
Client Initiated Termination: Participation in psychotherapy is voluntary, and you or your parent/guardian (if you're under 18) have the right to discontinue therapy at any time. However, we recommend discussing this decision with your therapist before ending therapy.
Therapist Initiated Termination: The therapist may also decide to terminate therapy for various reasons, such as untimely payment of fees, non-compliance with treatment recommendations, conflicts of interest, non-participation in therapy, your needs are beyond the therapist's competence or practice, or lack of adequate progress in therapy.
Upon termination, we recommend at least one or more termination sessions to reflect on the work done and to provide a positive conclusion to the therapeutic relationship. If needed, the therapist will provide referrals to another professional.
Therapist Availability
Please note that your therapist is unable to provide 24-hour crisis service. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical or psychiatric assistance, please call emergency services (e.g., 999) or visit the nearest emergency room.
Right to Reject Session and Refuse Providing Report
The therapist reserves the right to decline conducting a session under certain conditions. These conditions may include, but are not limited to:
- The client appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or substances.
- Behaviour deemed inappropriate, violent, or disruptive.
- Violation of the policies or terms and conditions outlined in this informed consent form.
Additionally, the therapist reserves the right to decline providing a report or documentation about the session or treatment. This may occur in situations that might compromise the therapeutic process or violate confidentiality agreements, except where legally obligated to do so.
If a session is declined or a report is refused for any of these reasons, the client will be informed in a manner that is both respectful and adherent to professional ethical standards. In such cases, referrals to another professional may be provided, or the therapeutic relationship may be terminated, as outlined in the "Termination of Therapy" section of this document.
Contacting Us
Our office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except Wednesday and Sunday. We make every attempt to answer every call; however, you may at times have to leave a message. Messages are checked often and calls returned promptly. Late afternoon or evening messages left may be answered the morning of the next business day. Please do not ever leave an urgent message on voicemail.
Professional Records
You should be aware that we keep Protected Health Information about you in two sets of professional records. One set constitutes your Clinical Record. It includes information about your reasons for seeking therapy, a description of the ways in which your problem impacts on your life, your diagnosis, the goals that we set for treatment, your progress towards those goals, your medical and social history, your treatment history, any past treatment records that we receive from other providers, reports of any professional consultations, your billing records, test results, and any reports that have been sent to anyone, including reports to your insurance carrier. If you provide us with an appropriate written request, you have the right to examine and/or receive a copy of your records, expect in unusual circumstances that involve danger to you or others. In those situations, you have the right to have your record sent to another provider. In most situations, we are allowed to charge a copying fee of RM 150 per report. If we refuse your request for access to your records, you have a right of review, which we will discuss with you upon request.
In addition, we may also keep a set of Therapy Notes. These notes are for our own use and are designed to assist us in providing you with the best treatment. While the contents of therapy notes vary from client to client, they can include the contents of our conversations, our analysis of those conversations, and how they impact on your therapy. They also contain particularly sensitive information that you may reveal to us that is not required to be included in your Clinical Record. These Therapy Notes are kept separate from your Clinical Record. You may examine and/or receive a copy of your Therapy Notes unless we determine that such disclosure would be reasonably likely to be detrimental to your health. Because these are professional records, they can be misinterpreted and/or upsetting to untrained readers. For this reason, we recommend that you initially review them in our presence or have them forwarded to another mental health professional so you can discuss the contents.
Acknowledgment
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, fully understood, and agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this informed consent form for psychotherapy. You also agree to hold the therapist harmless from any claims, demands, or legal actions, save for cases of negligence, that may result from the treatment process.