Therapy Agreement
Lubov Grigoryeva
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +353 857 436 858
The Nature of Therapy
Psychotherapy is a collaborative relationship based on trust, openness, and clear professional boundaries. This agreement outlines how I work, what you can expect from our sessions, and the responsibilities we share.
Please take some time to read it carefully. If anything feels unclear or raises questions, we can discuss it together.
Our Meetings
Sessions usually take place once a week and last 55 minutes. We will agree on a regular time that works for both of us.
The first 1–5 sessions allow us to get to know each other, explore your needs and expectations, and consider whether we are a good therapeutic fit. If I believe that another professional may be better suited to support you, I will discuss this with you and, where possible, offer an appropriate referral.
Consistency is an important part of the therapeutic process. Extended or frequent gaps between sessions may affect the continuity and depth of our work.
Therapy can sometimes bring up difficult emotions, memories, or new perspectives. I encourage you to approach significant life decisions with reflection rather than acting impulsively. Ultimately, you remain responsible for your own choices and decisions.
Our work may involve exploring your feelings, thoughts, bodily experiences, patterns of behaviour, and what emerges in the relationship between us.
You will never be pressured to disclose anything before you feel ready. Your boundaries and pace will be respected. At the same time, a willingness to reflect, remain curious, and engage in honest dialogue is an important part of the therapeutic process.
If you ever feel uncomfortable, misunderstood, or dissatisfied with our work, I encourage you to bring this into our sessions. Exploring these experiences can be a valuable part of therapy.
Payments and Cancellations
Session fees are agreed upon before we begin working together and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
I review my fees at the beginning of each calendar year. Any proposed changes will be communicated and discussed in advance.
Payment can be made before or immediately after each session, but no later than 24 hours afterwards. I accept Revolut, PayPal, and cash.
Cancellations and rescheduling require at least 48 hours' notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged at the full agreed fee.
If you arrive late, the session will still finish at the scheduled time. If I am late, I will make up the lost time.
Missed sessions without prior notice are charged at the full fee.
If I need to cancel a session, I will give you as much notice as possible and offer an alternative appointment.
Ending Therapy
You are free to end therapy at any time.
However, I encourage you to discuss your decision with me and, where possible, allow one or more sessions to reflect on our work together and bring the therapeutic relationship to a thoughtful conclusion.
Endings can carry important emotional meaning, and exploring them can be a valuable part of the therapeutic process.
Confidentiality
Everything you share in therapy is treated with strict confidentiality. Protecting your privacy is a fundamental part of our therapeutic relationship.
However, there are certain legal and ethical limits to confidentiality. Information may need to be disclosed in situations involving:
- A serious and immediate risk of harm to yourself or another person.
- Concerns about the safety or welfare of a child that require reporting under applicable child protection legislation.
- A legal obligation to disclose information, including a valid court order.
Whenever possible and appropriate, I will discuss any necessary disclosure with you beforehand and limit the information shared to what is necessary.
I also attend regular professional supervision, where I may discuss aspects of our therapeutic work to support ethical and effective practice. These discussions take place in confidence, without using your name or unnecessary identifying details.
Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships
Clear professional boundaries help create a safe and consistent therapeutic environment.
To protect the integrity of our therapeutic relationship:
- I do not exchange personal or professional services with clients outside therapy.
- I do not engage in social, romantic, sexual, or business relationships with clients during therapy. Professional boundaries also continue after therapy has ended.
- I avoid personal interactions with clients outside sessions, including through social media.
If we happen to encounter each other in public, I will respect your privacy and will not initiate contact or acknowledge our therapeutic relationship unless you choose to do so.
I generally avoid working with clients who are simultaneously attending another form of individual psychotherapy. Exceptions may be considered where there is a clear therapeutic reason and appropriate coordination between professionals.
Group therapy, psychiatric treatment, and other complementary forms of support do not necessarily conflict with our work.
Communication Between Sessions
For scheduling, cancellations, or practical matters, you can contact me by email or WhatsApp using the details above.
Therapeutic concerns and experiences are generally best explored during our scheduled sessions rather than through messages between appointments.
If something significant arises between sessions, you are welcome to bring it to our next meeting.
In exceptional circumstances, you may request an additional appointment, although availability cannot always be guaranteed.
Please be aware that I may not be able to respond to messages immediately and do not provide an emergency or crisis service.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact emergency services on 112 or 999, or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
Records and Data Protection
I keep relevant client information and clinical notes as part of my professional practice. These records are handled securely and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
You have rights concerning your personal information, including the right to request access to your records, subject to applicable legal provisions.
Further details about how your information is collected, stored, used, and retained will be provided in a separate privacy notice.
Sessions will not be audio- or video-recorded by me without your prior written consent. I also ask that you do not record sessions without discussing this with me beforehand.
Ethical Standards and Complaints
I am an accredited member of the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP) and practise in accordance with its professional code of ethics.
If you feel that I have treated you unfairly, acted unethically, or caused harm, I encourage you to discuss your concerns with me if you feel comfortable doing so.
You also have the right to raise a formal complaint through the APCP's complaints and disciplinary procedure.
Further information is available at www.apcp.ie.
Informed Consent
By beginning therapy with me, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this agreement and agree to the terms outlined above.
This agreement is intended to support a clear, respectful, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to raise them at any point during our work together.