- Therapists at The Play Therapy Studio are qualified in the mental health field. Qualifications may include: Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Art Therapy, Mental Health Nursing, other. Therapists must hold registration with the professional body associated with their mental health qualification as well as Working with Children checks. Therapists are required to practice in accordance with the Code of Conduct issued by their registering professional body.
- The counselling process if a cooperative effort on behalf of the therapist and the parents/guardian/s. Therefore, your willingness to display motivation for change, partake an active role in the counselling program and work towards treatment goals is essential. Therapy may feel difficult at times as challenging emotions and experiences are explored and further issues may arise throughout the process. Open communication with the therapist is strongly encouraged as a collaborative approach is more likely to elicit positive outcomes.
- Receiving mental health services from two or more practitioners or organisations can often be counterproductive and confusing. If you (or your child) decide to receive alternate therapeutic intervention whilst continuing with The Play Therapy Studio it is important to discuss this decision with your therapist at The Play Therapy Studio. If you have any concerns about the counselling, you or your child is receiving, we expect you to discuss these concerns with the Therapist so that adjustment can be made. If it develops that a mental health provider would serve you or your child better, we will help with the referral process.
- The frequency and length of service will be determined by several factors. The number of sessions will vary on a case-by-case basis. This will be determined between you and your (child’s) therapist through the creation of a treatment plan and goals. The treatment plan and progress towards goals will be reviewed by you and your therapist throughout the counselling process, and adjustments made as necessary. The aim of counselling is the achievement of treatment goals. It is not ethical or possible to guarantee results.
- As children are part of a system it is often in their best interests to work holistically and communicate with the different parts of their system. This means that from time to time it is beneficial for the therapists to receive updates or feedback from schools, daycare, health professionals or grandparents for example. Prior to communicating with anyone The Play Therapy Studio must obtain a completed “Release of Information Consent” Form from the parents of the child. You are welcome to change or retract consent at any time; please discuss this with your therapist.
- Therapists are required to write session notes, treatment plans and goals and other forms of clinical documentation. The relationship between yourself and The Play Therapy Studio is considered confidential, and all statements and records, both verbal and written will be kept securely. The exception is if the therapist believes that you or your child poses a threat to self or other. In this circumstance appropriate action to ensure safety must be undertaken. In the instance that any form of suspected abuse the therapist is mandated to report such suspicions to the proper authorities.
- Other exceptions to confidentiality and privileged communication include client request of release of information, court orders, clinical supervision, legal or clinical consultation and special consideration when the child is below the age of maturity. If the therapist is court ordered and a properly issued a subpoena is received, then information in your/your child’s file may be released. There is the potential of the therapist being called into court to testify regarding counselling provided. You will be notified if such occurs.
- Audio-visual recordings may be taken of Play Therapy Sessions with signed consent from parents. These recordings are used for the purpose of clinical supervision only and are deleted immediately following the supervision session unless further consent is provided for recordings to be used for training purposes. Typically, the therapist/client relationship is considered privileged communication and treated accordingly.
- Software is used for documentation of all information and email may be used for communication or to send reports. There are risks associated with online use and whilst all reasonable precautions are taken to protect information, there are unlikely circumstances in which privacy cannot be guaranteed.
- In accordance with state and federal law, records generated by The Play Therapy Studio will be confidentially kept for 7 years or until the child reaches the age of 25 and then destroyed.
- If you are dissatisfied with the service provided to you or your child, please discuss your concerns with the therapist or director who will endeavour to resolve issues of concern for your satisfaction. If you would prefer to make an anonymous complaint, please refer to the “Complaints and Incidents Policy, Procedure Form” which provides information and the opportunity to write and submit concerns. If a complaint or incident is not anonymous, you are still welcome to use this form to document and submit your account. A meeting can be arranged to address concerns and develop a resolution plan if immediate resolution is not possible. If necessary, the appropriate registering professional body will investigate.
- 24 hours’ notice is required for cancellation of sessions. Failure to comply with this policy will result in a charge of 50% of the session fee.
- The Play Therapy Studio is not an emergency service. If you or your child is in a life-threatening situation, suicidal or in a mental health crisis and you are unable to schedule and attend a session, immediately contact an emergency service:
- The Police, Ambulance or Fire; 000
- Monash Health Psychiatric Triage Service: 1300 369 012
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kid’s Help Line: 1800 551 800