Jack Kelly Therapy Services Informed Consent & Service Agreement

This document is intended to support informed consent and to help you decide whether counselling with Jack Kelly Therapy is right for you. Please read it carefully and ask any questions before your first appointment. Participation in counselling is voluntary. By signing this document, you confirm that you understand the information below and consent to participate in counselling under these terms.

1. The Nature of Counselling

Counselling is a confidential, collaborative process between a qualified counsellor and participating clients to support emotional wellbeing, self-understanding, and personal growth. It provides a space to explore thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and patterns that may be contributing to distress or difficulty in your life.

The objectives of counselling vary between individuals and may include developing greater emotional awareness, understanding recurring patterns or relational difficulties, processing past or current experiences, and increasing self-compassion and capacity to feel and reflect. Counselling is not about being “fixed” or receiving ready-made answers, but about supporting deeper understanding and meaningful change over time. Because every person and situation is different, no specific outcomes or benefits can be guaranteed and progress in counselling can depend on many factors, including readiness and engagement in the process. However, I can assure you that I am committed to best practice with you in resolving your concerns.

The very nature of counselling may involve exploring emotionally intense or uncomfortable material, which can temporarily increase distress and evoke strong emotions. You are encouraged to discuss any difficult reactions or concerns as they arise so they can be supported appropriately.

To support the counselling process, it is helpful to attend sessions consistently, speak openly and honestly, reflect on sessions between appointments, and raise any questions, concerns, or uncertainties as they arise.

2. About the Counsellor

Jack Kelly is a qualified counsellor and the owner and principal practitioner of Jack Kelly Therapy. Jack holds a Bachelor of Counselling and is a Certified Practising Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Being a PACFA member, Jack is subject to a wide range of professional and ethical requirements, and practises within the PACFA Code of Ethics.

Jack’s counselling approach is relational and emotionally focused, with an emphasis on emotional processing, self-exploration, and the therapeutic relationship as central to meaningful change. Jack utilises a range of theories to understand and facilitate a process of growth including developmental, attachment and humanistic modalities.

3. Scope of Services

Jack Kelly Therapy provides professional counselling services. As such, mental health diagnoses are not provided, and Mental Health Care Plans and Medicare rebates are not accepted.

4. Appointments & Session Structure

The initial counselling session is 75 minutes. Ongoing sessions are 50 minutes. Session frequency is discussed collaboratively and may change over time depending on your needs and circumstances.

5. In-Person & Online Sessions

Sessions are offered in person at 749 Logan Road, Greenslopes, Brisbane, or online via Google Meet.

For online sessions, clients are responsible for ensuring a private, quiet, and safe environment, that sessions are not recorded by the client, and that reliable internet and suitable technology are used. If a suitable environment cannot be maintained, sessions may be rescheduled. Jack Kelly Therapy is not responsible for interruptions or limitations caused by internet connectivity, device failure, or platform issues.

6. Fees & Payment

The current fee is $150 per session and is payable via bank transfer following invoicing. Invoices are to be paid within 48 hours. Fees may change with reasonable notice.

7. Cancellations & Missed Appointments

At least 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur the full session fee. Cancellations must be made via email to hello@jackkellytherapy.com.

Late arrivals will receive the remaining session time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, the session may be cancelled and a cancellation fee may apply.

If Jack Kelly Therapy needs to cancel a session, you will be notified as soon as possible. Where possible, sessions will be rescheduled. No fee will be charged if rescheduling is not possible.

8. Contact Between Sessions & Emergencies

Contact between sessions is limited to administrative matters via email. If Jack Kelly Therapy needs to contact you, this will be done via the email address provided at booking. If you wish to contact Jack Kelly Therapy between sessions, please email hello@jackkellytherapy.com.

Jack Kelly Therapy does not provide a crisis or emergency service. If you require immediate support:

9. Privacy & Confidentiality

Jack Kelly Therapy complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. Everything discussed in counselling is confidential, including attendance, except where disclosure is required or permitted by law. Confidentiality may be broken when:

  • There is a serious and imminent risk to your life, safety, or the life or safety of another person.

  • Disclosure is required by law or court order.

  • Mandatory reporting obligations apply (e.g., child abuse).

  • De-identified material is discussed in professional supervision.

Where possible, decisions to disclose information will be discussed with you beforehand. In urgent situations, disclosure may occur without prior consultation.

10. Records & Record Keeping

Clinical notes are maintained to support ethical practice and continuity of care. Notes are stored securely in electronic form and retained for seven (7) years in accordance with professional requirements.

11. Supervision & Recording of Sessions

Counsellors are ethically required to engage in regular clinical supervision. Jack Kelly may discuss de-identified aspects of your counselling in supervision to support best practice and professional accountability.

From time to time, sessions may be audio or video recorded for the purposes of supervision or professional development. In these instances your explicit consent will always be sought beforehand, and you may decline without any impact on your counselling. Recordings are handled securely and are not used for any other purpose.

12. Use of Practice Management Software & AI (Splose)

Jack Kelly Therapy uses Splose, a secure practice management system, to manage clinical records. Splose offers an optional AI-assisted feature, designed to audio record and draft clinical notes. Use of Splose AI is opt-in and you may withdraw it at any time.

AI assists with documentation only and does not replace professional judgement. All notes are reviewed and finalised by Jack Kelly.

Splose stores data securely using industry-standard protections and in accordance with Australian privacy legislation.

13. Questions & Complaints

If you have questions or concerns about your counselling, you are encouraged to raise them directly with Jack Kelly. You also have the right to make a formal complaint to PACFA: www.pacfa.org.au.

14. Voluntary Participation & Ending Counselling

Your participation in counselling is voluntary. You may pause or end counselling at any time.