Behavioral Health Network ~ Psychotherapy Informed Consent Form

We understand that it is not easy to seek help with regard to mental health concerns. The acceptance of the need for help must come from the person seeking counseling. With this informed consent for psychotherapy, you will be able to understand more about your situation and with us, work on addressing your difficulties. Let us start by filling out this informed consent form.

The Therapist

The therapist, Dr. Schembri is a licensed mental health care professional specializing in mental trauma and anxiety disorders for 50 years. After this, we shall go through your concerns and identify whether you may or may not have. We shall go over your issues and identify whether Dr. Schembri is capable of addressing your concern.

Please note that you may withdraw anytime from the psychotherapy upon notice.

Session Length

There is no specific determination on how many sessions are needed by a client/patient as this may depend on the healing progress of said client/patient and this can be discussed with Dr. Schembri.

Relationship

The required relationship that a client/patient should have with his/her therapist is strictly professional. Any other relationship, such as business or personal relationships that a client/patient may have with a therapist may prevent or undermine the effectiveness of the treatment.

Confidentiality

Sessions between Dr. Schembri and the client/patient are strictly confidential. Any notes taken by the therapist, audio recordings, video recordings during therapy shall be kept confidential and secure by the therapist at all times and shall not disclose it to anyone without any prior written consent by the client/patient, with exception to certain limitations by law such as:

1. Abuse to a child, disabled, elderly, other people;
2. Criminal Acts;
3. Sexual Abuse;
4. Acts which may involve the transmission of HIV/AIDS;
5. Any other instance where the therapist has a duty or he or she has a firm belief that there is a necessity to disclose.

In case you have any questions regarding confidentiality, please discuss this with Dr. Schembri. 

Risks

Through therapy clients/patients learn more about themselves that they do not realize. Often, these are things that they do not like. These are the things that they need to first, accept that they are or what they have or do. Growth cannot happen until these issues are accepted and confronted. 

There may be a chance that during or after a session, the client/patient may feel emotionally or physically distressed. This is normal and should be part of one's healing process. A therapy's success shall depend both on the efforts of Dr. Schembri and the client/patient.

Advantages

Therapy helps in making one open his or her awareness. This helps in the bringing of one's personal insights and thus finds ways of coping and addressing his or her problems.

We understand that therapies can be challenging especially for those who are not willing to open up. Uncomfortable feelings are normal and are part of the process. These frustrations and discomforts will be lessened and clients/patients shall have a better positive outlook in managing his or her emotions. There is no firm timeline for this progress. But with working hand in hand between the client/patient and the therapist, the progress shall be faster than realized. 

Court Proceedings

In case of a court proceeding involving the client/patient, it is agreed that Dr. Schembri cannot testify, such as but not limited to, custody proceedings, divorce proceedings, injuries, or any other lawsuits that shall result in the disclosure of the records of the psychotherapist about his/her client/patient.

Questions

For questions or concerns, you may get in touch with Dr. Schembri at 1-508-246-6493, or via email at bhn@behavioralhealthnetwork.org.