Our Clinical Policies

Policies for Consent and Client Care

Oasis endeavours to provide accurate and adequate information about the counselling process, in order that clients make a well-informed and voluntary decision to accept treatment. This information includes but is not limited to, what counselling entails and the possible outcomes. Oasis respects and values an individual’s autonomy to make the best decisions for themselves. In the case of minors and children under 18 years old, we will require parental/guardian consent before the client is able to receive any intervention.

Intake Process

Oasis asks that all our clients fill out and submit an intake form. This form is for the purpose of:

• Collecting contact information in order to schedule appointments.

• Collecting general information on what it is that you wish to discuss with your therapist.

• Collecting other facts that will enable your counsellor to support you to the best of their ability.

We encourage you to keep a copy of the intake form for your personal records. If you would like to request a hard copy of this document, please reach out to our office manager/intake coordinator. By filling out the intake form you are agreeing to the following policies.

Assignment and Referral

Upon receiving your intake form, we will review it and assign you to a suitable counsellor. In this process, we take into consideration both your availability and specific needs as well as the availability of the counsellor and their specialisations.

Please note that if your concerns are better served elsewhere or if it is beyond the scope of our practice or competence, we will provide you with referrals to providers that can better address your needs.

Children/Adolescents

Counselling is most effective when your child feels comfortable speaking openly with their counsellor. Oasis will take into account your child’s age and level of maturity in order to guide the degree of disclosure.

In general, when receiving a client between the ages of 5-11, your counsellor may share more details of the sessions with parents if requested and your child’s counsellor deems appropriate and valuable to your child’s counselling. Whenever possible any information shared will be collaborative. This will be determined between yourself and your child’s counsellor at the beginning of therapy.

In general, when receiving a client between the ages of 12-17 less information regarding the content of counselling may be shared. Whenever possible any information disclosed will be collaborative. This will be determined between yourself and your adolescent’s counsellor at the beginning of therapy.

Confidentiality

Counsellors owe a duty of care to maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of providing treatment/intervention to clients of any age. This duty of care requires that information cannot generally be released to others without the client’s permission or, where competency is in question, the permission of the client’s parent or legal guardian.

Breach of Confidentiality

Although we treat client information in strict confidentiality, there are certain exceptions which also fall into Oasis' duty of care.

If the counsellor believes there is a threat of harm to the client, whether by themselves or by another person every effort, including but not limited to the disclosure of this information, will be made to ensure no harm takes place.

If a client discloses information about harm to another person, including child or vulnerable person abuse, or damage to public property, your counsellor will take whatever steps necessary as required by law or permitted by law to prevent the potential harm from happening and to ensure a level of safety. If you report that there has been or is being a crime committed in accordance to Hong Kong law, your counsellor will be required to disclose this information. If a breach of confidentiality is necessary, it will be carried out with your participation as much as possible. For children and adolescents, please trust that if there is a discloser, or their therapist discovers, harm to self, harm to others, child abuse, elder abuse, or a crime, your child’s counsellor will reach out to you accordingly.

Usage and Storage of Personal Information

By engaging the service of Oasis: Hong Kong Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy you agree to the collection and use of personal information in accordance with this policy. Oasis complies with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong. Once Oasis has collected your information it will be processed and stored in a secure manner.

The data that is collected will be used for the purpose of providing a competent and best-practice service. Data will also be used for Oasis to gain statistical information and for the communication of upcoming events and educational material. All data collected is voluntarily given and you have the right to access/make corrections to this data at any time.

Oasis engages the use of Theranest Inc. Services to store client information, including appointment details and session notes. This software service is HIPAA compliant. Oasis respects and upholds the Six Data Protection Principles as recommended by the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Hong Kong).

Our counsellors are not medical doctors or registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong. Therefore, no medical records are kept other than the counsellor's session notes. These notes are private and confidential and will not be released to any third party except if they are subpoenaed by the Court.

Governance

Oasis: Hong Kong Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy is governed by The Vine Church Ltd, its Elders and its board of Directors. This relationship requires that Oasis access the services of the Vine Church Finance Department and is included in The Vine Church’s annual audit.

Cancellation

A scheduled appointment means that the time is reserved only for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule your counselling session, you must notify your counsellor 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. If 24 hours’ notice is not given, or if you do not show up for your scheduled appointment you will be charged in full. This fee is equivalent to the fee per session established in the fee agreement.

Payment

All clients are expected to pay in full for each session at the time it is held unless it is agreed otherwise. Bank transfer is the preferred form of payment. Accounts must be kept current in order to continue counselling at Oasis. After three unpaid invoices, sessions will be suspended. You may request your counsellor to provide you with an invoice for your records. All receipts are processed from The Vine Church Ltd.

Updates

From time to time, we may make updates to our clinical policies. We will post the last update date below. If you have any questions regarding this information, please reach out to Oasis via email at: info@oasishktherapy.com.

Last Updated: 17/01/2024