Dan L. Mitchell Counselling – Client Consent & Service Agreement
Latest update: 19 June 2025
1 INTRODUCTION
I am Dan L. Mitchell, MA, CCC #2157, a Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association since 1989.
Verify at: https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/find-a-canadian-certified-counsellor/
2 IDENTITY & AGE
3 WHAT COUNSELLING INVOLVES
Counselling is a collaborative process of conversation, reflection, and practice. For a plain‑language overview, visit Talking Can Help: https://www.talkingcanhelp.ca/what-is-therapy-1.
Questions are welcome at any time.
4 SERVICE FORMATS & LIMITS
In‑person sessions: held in my North Vancouver office or outdoors (see Nature‑Informed Therapy).
Video / phone / text: some non‑verbal cues are lost, so please tell me if you feel misunderstood.
Nature‑Informed Therapy involves outdoor risks (weather, terrain, wildlife, public visibility). By signing you accept these risks and take reasonable care for your own safety.
5 CONFIDENTIALITY
I follow the BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the CCPA Code of Ethics. Your information can be shared only when:
Supervision – My clinical supervisor reviews files for quality of care.
Safety – I must act if there is risk of serious harm, or report child/vulnerable‑person abuse.
Court order – A judge can require records.
Your consent – e.g., you ask me to consult with a physician.
Electronic messages – Regular e‑mail/text is not secure; if you write to me that way I will reply likewise and you accept the risk.
6 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
I sometimes use ChatGPT Plus to draft notes or clarify ideas. I send only de‑identified summaries (no names, dates, or unique stories). I edit the output before it enters your record. You may opt out at any time.
7 CIRCLE OF CARE (OPTIONAL)
With your written permission, I can coordinate care with other professionals or support persons. No information is shared without that consent, except in the safety/legal cases above.
8 PRIVACY & SECURITY
My part – Encrypted, Canadian‑hosted storage; secure messaging when possible.
Your part – Use a private space for online and phone sessions, strong passwords, and do not share session links or materials online.
9 SOCIAL MEDIA & SEARCH
I do not provide counselling through social media and will not send friend/follow requests. I may, in a limited and thoughtful way, review publicly available online information (e.g., search results or social‑media posts) when it is relevant to your safety, context, treatment, or counselling goals.
10 RECORD RETENTION
Files are kept 7 years after our final session, then securely destroyed.
11 TECH ISSUES
If tech fails or a reply is delayed beyond two business days, phone 778‑838‑6824.
12 CRISIS & EMERGENCY
Services are limited to booked sessions. I do not monitor messages after hours. For urgent help call 911 or your local crisis line.
13 FEES & CANCELLATION
Rate – CAD $150 + GST per 50‑minute session.
Pay – CAD e‑Transfer (danlmitchell@hushmail.com), Bitcoin, or Cardano (ADA).
Cancel – No charge with ≥24 hours’ notice; otherwise $60 (ask about a Pay‑It‑Forward waiver if needed).
Rates can change; you will be notified in advance.
14 FEEDBACK & CONCERNS
Talk to me about any concern, big or small. We can adjust or I can refer you to another professional.
15 LEGAL POINTS (SUMMARY)
Services are deemed to occur in British Columbia, Canada.
Any claim must be filed in BC and is governed by BC and Canadian law.
Liability for damages is limited to the total fees paid by you.
16 WITHDRAWAL
You may pause or end counselling at any time. I may end services with reasonable notice if therapy is no longer appropriate or unpaid balances persist.
17 AGREEMENT TERM & UPDATES
This agreement stays in effect for 7 years from signing or until replaced. I may update terms; you will be asked to review and consent to any material change.