Why Is the Initial Consultation so Important? What Factors Will an Ethical Therapist Cover at This Time?
During this essay I will be discussing ethics and what ethical issues the therapist faces in relation to initial consultation with the client. What an initial consultation is and why it is so important that one is completed without exception. I will also explore what the process is, what happens at the initial consultation, and how the therapist will gather the required information. I also aim to explore what benefits and contra indications there are for having an initial consultation. According to a thesaurus the word “Ethics” means: a moral- code, values, principles and beliefs. This definition leads to the question, what is meant by the phrase, “Ethical therapist”? An ethical therapist within the UK works within the Code of Ethics which was developed from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics April 2002. This constitutes of a moral code of principles and values which should always be adhered to whenever the therapist is practising.
The Code of Ethics covers for example:
1. Providing a good standard of care, safeguarding both the therapist and client.
2. Only treating clients within your own qualifications
3. The therapist must attend regular supervision
4. Ensure your client understands the boundaries and limits.
5. Manage the clients’ expectations
6. Conflicts of interest
7. Gaining and keeping trust
8. Ensure that the therapy is “Client centred”
The above points are a brief precis of what the Code of Ethics covers, and are an integral part of the therapists working practice. The therapist must remain professional at all times both in appearance and manner. It is also important to consider the layout of the consulting room to ensure safety for both the client and the therapist. The initial consultation will be the first time the client and therapist meet and first impressions are important to the client and will count. The therapist will have assumptions made about them within the first minutes of meeting.
The Code of Ethics covers for example:
1. Providing a good standard of care, safeguarding both the therapist and client.
2. Only treating clients within your own qualifications
3. The therapist must attend regular supervision
4. Ensure your client understands the boundaries and limits.
5. Manage the clients’ expectations
6. Conflicts of interest
7. Gaining and keeping trust
8. Ensure that the therapy is “Client centred”
The above points are a brief precis of what the Code of Ethics covers, and are an integral part of the therapists working practice. The therapist must remain professional at all times both in appearance and manner. It is also important to consider the layout of the consulting room to ensure safety for both the client and the therapist. The initial consultation will be the first time the client and therapist meet and first impressions are important to the client and will count. The therapist will have assumptions made about them within the first minutes of meeting.
Bibliography: Hypnosis for Change: Third Edition, Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher, Chapter 21, pg275-276 Hypnosis for Change – Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher, Chapter 21, pg 273 Hypnotherapy: a handbook, Michael Heap and Windy Dryden, Chapter 11, pg 189 Hypnosis for Change – Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher , Chapter 21, pg273-274 Hypnotherapy: a handbook, Michael Heap and Windy Dryden, Chapter 11, pg 188 Chrysalis Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Year One – Hypnotherapy and Counselling skills – Module 2 Hypnosis and Mental Health. Further techniques – Counselling skills 1 pages 22 -26 Chrysalis Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Year One – Hypnotherapy and Counselling skills – Module 3 The role of the Subconscious, The initial Consultation Course Notes - Code of Ethics – The Hypnotherapy Society (email: secretary@hypnotherapysociety.com)