Policies and Confidentiality

Informed Consent and Policies & Procedures

 

About Rachel, Professional Counselor.  CCPCP.Cand 3450 and co-owner of Bluebird Acres:  I am a Mental Health Counsellor, specializing in work with Animal Assisted Interventions. I have a Diploma in Applied Psychology and Counselling, Specializing in Professional Counselling from Kelowna College of Professional Counsellors.  I am currently enrolled in the Dreamcatcher Academy where I am becoming certified in Animal Assisted Interventions.  Supervision is a requirement of my license and as such I am receiving clinical supervision on a consistent and ongoing basis by Sarah Lipsett, MA, RTC, MTS, RCS.  Supervision provides a framework within which a counsellor can offer an accounting, reflect on performance and receive feedback and or guidance.  Regular ongoing supervision is helpful for enhancing the quality of service offered and continuing professional development and support. Supervision is beneficial for improved client care, effective self-care and career development. if you have any further questions about this, please do not hesitate to ask. 

 

In addition to my private practice, I have worked with a wide range of individuals and groups.  I have worked with grief, loss, life transitions, anxiety, along with other mental health concerns.  I have also worked with Pet Therapy programs in engagement, bringing joy, encouraging a dialogue, physical therapy, managing emotion, end-of-life counseling, and family talk therapy.  Here at Bluebird Acres, we also offer circles where I facilitate group support and talk therapy on a variety of topics.  We offer crafting with intention, meditation practice as well as other nature-based events and group work. 

 

My therapeutic approach: My counselling style is a collaboration with my animals and the nature around us here at the farm.  We can hold our meetings in the home office, down in the trees, outdoors with the animals, or in the various barns and animal shelters.  I encourage my clients to explore the work with nature and the animals to help open doors to our emotions and engage in talk therapy.  We can work on setting goals as well as education around emotions and how to manage anxieties as well as many other goals that a client may have.  I like to focus on Mindfulness, Relaxation, and Stress Reduction Therapies along side a Person-Centred approach to our therapeutic relationship.    All this is dependent on the unique needs of each client

 

Goals of therapy: Therapeutic goals are set collaboratively with the client. Some common goals are increased self- awareness, improved communication skills, improved relationships, increased self-esteem, improved mood, positive lifestyle changes, etc.

 

Client’s Rights: Clients have the right to participate in the ongoing counselling plans, to refuse any recommended services, and to be advised of the consequences of such refusal. Clients have the right to discontinue treatment at any time.  It is recommended that a “completion session” with the counsellor take place prior to ending the therapeutic relationship. 

 

Records: Clients have a right to access their counselling records.  There is some release paperwork involved. Please ask if you have any questions regarding this. 

 

Unexpected Absence: I have created a system to provide emergency coverage, by trusted colleagues, for my practice in the event of illness or death. Part of the agreement is to notify clients of both temporary and permanent absences if I am unable to do so myself.

 

Farm Policies: All clients and visitors to Bluebird Acres are required to fill in and sign the waiver.  The waiver reviews all the farm policies in detail.   Please follow the instructions of your facilitator or counselor for your safety.   Follow all signage for your safety.

 

Security:  There security cameras on site for your safety and the safety of the animals.

 

 

Things to note about Animal Assisted Interventions: The priority goes to the animal’s wellbeing when it comes to making a choice as to which species or individual animal we might work with.  Any animal handler on site, any therapist working on site, either of the farm owners (Rachel Toon and Steve Thomson), or a vet on site may make the decision that a particular animal is not a good fit for the days’ session.  The animal may have any illness or injury or the species may not be a fit for the client(s) on that day or in that setting.  It is important to note that you may not be working with a particular animal that you may expect to be working with.

 

Confidentiality and the Limits of Confidentiality:  In all counselling relationships, there is an adherence to a strict standard of confidentiality. No information given by you to your counsellor /therapist will be disclosed to a third party without your expressed written consent. Client files are privileged and confidential. There are a few exceptions to confidentiality:

 

1. If the counsellor /therapist think any person’s life or health is in imminent danger, he/she is ethically and legally bound to take appropriate action.

2. Under Law, if the client suggests that a child, elder or disabled person may be abused, neglected or for any other reason in need of protection, it must be reported to the Ministry of Children and Family Development and/or police.

3. In extraordinary circumstances, the courts have discretionary power to subpoena or court order files, cases notes, and/or obtain counsellor information.

4. The client directs the counsellor to share information with another person.

 

Staff and Confidentiality:   There are staff on site that you may see moving around from time to time.  They are instructed to provide you and your session with as much privacy as possible.  Each staff member is also required to sign a confidentiality agreement.