Offer
Therapeutic contract
A therapeutic contract is a verbally or written agreement specifying what psychotherapy will look like.
These are joint arrangements regarding the terms, rights and obligations of both parties.
In other words, the framework of the therapy is set, and the findings that can be relied upon during its duration.
Its main goal is to establish clear rules, which can provide a sense of comfort and security on both sides during work.
Why is a therapeutic contract
concluded?
Thanks to the therapeutic contract, the patient consciously makes decisions about starting therapy and takes some responsibility for progress in striving to improve the quality of life.
The contract is primarily intended to protect the patient and the therapist, providing security and the ability to refer to it in the event of any ambiguity.
It is also a form of declaration of will to participate in therapy.
Concluding a therapeutic contract (verbally or in writing) is an obligation imposed on the therapist by the ethical code.
When is a therapeutic contract concluded?
The therapeutic contract is usually concluded within the first few therapeutic sessions.
What elements does a therapeutic contract include?
– therapy goals,
– planned duration of therapy (long- or short-term therapy),
-place where psychological sessions take place,
-frequency and time of sessions,
– conditions for canceling or rescheduling meetings,
-amount and forms of payment for sessions,
-forms of therapeutic work (e.g. dialogue, self-observation between sessions, various forms of exercises; especially in the case of child/adolescent therapy),
– possibilities and ways of communicating with the therapist between sessions,
– conditions of use of psychoactive substances by the patient (mainly in addicts),
– rules for maintaining professional secrecy by the therapist,
-information about the therapist’s supervision,
-rules for ending therapy.