These Terms and Conditions provide the contract for your online counselling sessions with Wayne (Counsellor at Samway Counselling Services). You will be required to electronically sign this document through the email link sent to you prior to your first session.

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As a professional Counsellor, Wayne  follows the ethics and guidelines set out by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Online therapy provided by Wayne George is not a crisis service. If you have concerns about your behaviour or feel you may be in danger in some way, please seek assistance from a crisis help line. 

Counselling is not the provision of advice, but a means of supporting and helping you to come to your best conclusion or solution. Wayne ’s approach as a Counsellor is based on a person-centred methodology. This means he sees you as a person first, not your situation or condition and believes that you have the capacity to thrive with the right support. Wayne  will adapt how he works with you in each session to achieve the best outcome to meet your needs and aspirations. Among the approaches used by Wayne  are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT), Family Therapy,  and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT).

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If at any point of your counselling Wayne  feels he is unable to assist you, he will let you know and suggest alternative means for you to get the support that you need. This may occur due to more complex mental health issues or in a situation that requires more immediate or accessible support. Your safety and wellbeing is at the centre of any decision made regarding your care.

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Collection of information

All personal and sensitive information collected is maintained in accordance with the ACA guidelines, with a best effort applied to keeping all of this information safe. Hard copy documentation and an external drive containing notes will be locked away when not in use.

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Confidentiality

Wayne  attends professional Clinical Supervision for his work as a Counsellor and as such he may discuss your case in his sessions. Only details that are relevant for supervision are discussed, without names or specifics where you can be identified. This is an important aspect of maintaining professional conduct within the therapy field and ensures the best attention provided to you.

All personal information gathered during counselling sessions will remain confidential and secure except where:

• it is subpoenaed by a court;

• a child is at risk of harm; or

• you present a risk to yourself or someone else.

You will be notified if there is any cause for information to be shared outside of the counselling session.

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Technology

Your session will be conducted through Zoom or  other approved video conferencing platforms (of which you will be advised beforehand, if used). Any platform used will comply with international standards for encryption.

Zoom will be the default.

Zoom can be used with video or audio only. The optimal approach is to use the video function, however, if you are concerned about being on the screen, please discuss it with Wayne .

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Technical difficulties

If you have problems accessing the link prior to your session, reply to a reminder in email or message and an alternative can be arranged with Wayne .

There may from time to time be issues with the technology. If you get 'kicked off' then continue to try logging back into the room. If Wayne  is 'kicked off' then remain in the room and he will attempt to return the same. We can develop a way around it as best we can at the time.

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Prior to your appointment

Each of the administrative documents and assessments requested from you when making your appointment are required prior to your session. Wayne  will go over the documents prior to your first session to ensure you are suitable for online counselling and provide him with a basic understanding of your situation.

Payment is required in full prior to your appointment. This alleviates the need to attend to payment and ensures the best use of your session time.

Once payment is received an email with further information on how your appointment will be conducted will be sent to you.

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For appointments via Zoom: Download the Zoom app on your device prior to the session. If you have not used Zoom before, it is suggested you familiarise yourself with the app so you are a little comfortable before starting the session.

Please perform a speaker and microphone test as you join the session to ensure you can hear Nicole and your microphone is working.

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It is important that you are in a place that is safe for you to be open and honest during our session. Please be dressed appropriately, as you would for a face to face meeting.

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Cancellation fee

Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee equivalent to the full session fee. A medical or family emergency may be an exception from this policy. 

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Social contact

As a professional counsellor guided by the ethics of ACA I am unable to become socially connected with you, this includes social media.