Arrange a first appointment
- Email rsvp@jonnydarling.ie, or call or text 083 345 7998. You can also book a first meeting online.
- We agree a time on a Wednesday or Thursday, between 10am and 1pm or between 4pm and 8pm.
- We meet for up to 50 minutes at the Transformative Therapy Centre, Abbey Street, Wicklow Town. The fee is €100, paid by cash or card.
If we both decide to continue, we agree attendance times. We also agree a fee schedule.
I reply within two working days. Please keep personal details for the meeting and do not send them by email or text.
The agreement below sets out how the work is arranged.
Psychotherapy Agreement
Preamble
The premise of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is that the Client has more to say for themselves than they have to show for. It is the role of the Clinician to bring to the attention of the Client instances where there is more to what they are saying than meets the eye. The psychoanalytic clinic privileges speech as the medium for therapeutic treatment. The Clinician will generally not conduct psychoanalytic treatment directly face-to-face because this distracts from what the Client has to say.
The psychoanalytic clinic works with the unconscious of the Client. The Client is invited to speak about literally anything and nothing in particular. The Clinician’s job is to facilitate this form of “free association” as the Client puts voice to their stream of consciousness. Affective treatment is predicated on consent to this therapeutic approach, whereby the Client assents to speak without self-censorship. By return, the Clinician is ethically bound to listen attentively and impartially, in confidence of this non-disclosure agreement.
Payment
Cash payment at the time of the appointment as standard, with payment processing via SumUp card reader available on request. Receipts may be issued in physical and digital format, and invoices dispatched for accounting and insurance purposes. Please note that the following client data, if provided, may be stored with SumUp Business: Name / Email / Phone Number / Address / Purchase Type and Volume.
Duration & Frequency
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy treatment operates on a variable-length basis. Sessions are generally conducted in no greater than fifty (50) minute intervals, and may be concluded in a shorter time-frame depending on material touched upon within specific sessions. The length of attendance at any one particular psychotherapy session is not a measure of quality time. Psychoanalytic work is qualitative rather than quantitative. Psychoanalytic work requires regular and frequent attendance with the Clinician. Minimum attendance is once per week, while multiple appointments a week is common practice. The Client is encouraged to commit to their treatment for no less than four (4) uninterrupted appointments initially, while a series of twelve (12) sessions at the outset is standard, before continuing on with an arrangement specifically agreed upon by the Client and the Clinician.
Jonny Darling practices year-round, with breaks set aside by mutual consent between the Client and the Clinician. Bank holidays are observed.
Confidentiality
The therapeutic arrangement between the Clinician and the Client is private and confidential. The Clinician will not share any information disclosed by the Client to third-parties (other than their accredited supervisor who is bound by professional practice to discretion), including family members or partners, medical professionals or state bodies, except as set out below. Breach in Client confidentiality is only warranted in cases where the Clinician deems that the Client is a severe risk to themselves or others, including the Clinician, and where intervention is acutely necessary. Such an intervention by the Clinician will be discussed, where possible, with the Client before action is taken. Confidentiality is also limited by law. As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015, the Clinician must report any child protection concern to Tusla. Information may also be disclosed where required by law or court order. Clinical material discussed in supervision is anonymised. The Clinician does not keep session notes. Contact, appointment and payment records are held as set out in the Privacy Notice.
Cancellations
The Client will endeavour to notify the Clinician in-person of difficulties attending their forthcoming scheduled appointment during the appointment prior. Should unforeseen circumstances arise for the Client in the interim between one appointment and the next, the Client will call and speak to the Clinician to cancel/postpone/reschedule their appointment. 24 hours notice minimum is required, except in exceptional circumstances (as determined by the Clinician), otherwise full payment will be charged. Non attendance at a scheduled appointment (no-show) accrues full payment due to the Clinician.
Ending
The Clinician respects the Client’s decision to cease attending psychotherapy treatment at their discretion. The Client is encouraged to bring their decision to a final session, so that the ending can be spoken about. Notice may also be given by email or text message, in which case one further session is charged in lieu of notice. Where the Client attends a final session, no further charge applies.