Why Do Counsellors Use a Contract?

When a client first comes to counselling, they are usually sent a counselling contract, or they may sit and talk through it with their counsellor. So what exactly is a contract?

A contract is an agreement between two parties that sets out the work that is taking place and what the boundaries are around that work.

Counsellors follow guidance from their ethical body. Their ethical body provides a series of guidance and guidelines that explain how counsellors should work professionally and competently in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. One of the ways counsellors ensure that they are doing this is by having a contract in place so they can be open and transparent about what they are offering to their clients.

The contract helps clients understand what they can expect from the counsellor and what their part is within that relationship.

Counselling as a professional relationship

It is important to recognise that when you enter counselling, you are entering into a professional relationship.

People experience relationships in many different ways. However, because of the depth of emotional and psychological work that can happen within counselling, it is important that there is a framework that governs what that relationship is — and, very importantly, what it is not. You may also notice that counsellors do not offer direct advice, which is explored further in another article here.

Counselling is not simply two people talking. It is not a friendship. It is not about giving advice or exercising power or control over a client. The contract helps alleviate confusion about what is expected within this professional relationship.

What does a counselling contract include?

A counselling contract usually outlines several important aspects of the work that will take place.

Some of the elements included in a contract may be:

Responsibilities within the counselling relationship
Financial arrangements or payment for sessions
Confidentiality and how information is protected
Record keeping and data protection in line with GDPR
Information about how to make a complaint if necessary

Contracts in counselling help ensure that there is no confusion about what this relationship is. It is a working agreement between two parties that recognises the importance of emotional and psychological contact and also recognises the responsibility that comes with that level of trust.

Feltham and Dryden (1993, p.38) usefully define a contract as "an agreement made between client and counsellor as to the work to be undertaken together." They also note that this agreement is usually established by the end of the first session.

Confidentiality, safeguarding and legal responsibilities

In counselling it is important that clients know that what they say is treated with privacy and respect. Information written about clients in session notes is stored safely in accordance with GDPR guidance and the regulations of the Information Commissioner's Office.

Counsellors keep brief session notes about what was discussed. These notes contain factual information and are not assumptions or diagnoses. They are stored securely, either physically or digitally, in line with UK data protection regulations.

Confidentiality also includes an explanation of its limits.

There may be situations where a counsellor believes they need to break confidentiality. In some circumstances counsellors also have legal responsibilities to share information. These situations are often connected to safeguarding, particularly if someone may be at risk of serious harm.

Counsellors in the United Kingdom also work within certain legal responsibilities. While counselling itself is not regulated by statute in the same way as professions such as medicine, counsellors still have legal duties around safeguarding and data protection. For example, counsellors must follow the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 when storing client information. They may also have safeguarding responsibilities under legislation such as the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014 if they believe someone may be at risk of serious harm.

Professional bodies such as the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) provide ethical frameworks that guide counsellors in working safely, ethically and responsibly with their clients.

Boundaries and professional practice

The contract highlights the boundaries that need to exist within a professional relationship to ensure that power is not misused.

These boundaries help keep the counselling relationship safe for both the client and the counsellor. They also help ensure that counsellors are working professionally and ethically in the best interests of their clients, as outlined within their ethical framework.

Outlining these boundaries in the contract also reinforces the importance of the personal, emotional and psychological information that a client shares during counselling.

Informed consent

Another important element of the contract is informed consent.

By reading and signing the contract, the client is agreeing to begin counselling with a clear understanding of what the process involves. The contract also creates an opportunity to discuss any personal needs or adjustments a client may require so that therapy is accessible and supportive for them.

These adjustments are sometimes referred to as reasonable adjustments.

Endings

A good contract also explains that counselling may come to an end at some point.

Endings are an important part of counselling, just as beginnings are. The contract represents the beginning of the work, but it also acknowledges that the counselling relationship may end when the work is complete or if circumstances change.

It is also important for clients to know that they are free to stop counselling if they feel the time is right for them. Therapy is not something that a client is obliged to continue if they no longer feel it is helpful. While it can often be useful to talk about endings within counselling so that the work can be reflected on and brought to a thoughtful close, the decision to continue or end therapy ultimately remains with the client.

A foundation for the work

The counselling contract forms the foundation of the therapeutic relationship.

It helps ensure openness, transparency and shared understanding about the work that will take place. It outlines boundaries, explains confidentiality and clarifies expectations for both the counsellor and the client.

If there are parts of the contract that you do not understand, it is always appropriate to ask your counsellor to explain them. Understanding the contract helps ensure that both parties enter the counselling relationship with clarity and confidence.

References

Feltham, C., & Dryden, W. (1993). Dictionary of Counselling. Whurr Publishers.

Counselling Tutor. (n.d.). Contracting for counsellors. https://counsellingtutor.com/contracting-for-counsellors/

National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). (n.d.). Code of Ethical Practice. https://ncps.com/code-of-ethical-practice

Sincerely yours, Paul

Transparency Notice:

Transparency notice: This post was developed with the assistance of AI and carefully reviewed, edited and approved by the author.

Why Do Counsellors… Use a Contract? Understanding the Counselling Agreement