What is a Therapeutic Contract in Counselling Therapy?
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Therapeutic contracts may seem dull, even unnecessary for some, but without them the integrity of the psychological process falters. With no clear boundaries and a stable structure, the expectations of both parties are bound to differ. Clarifying the relationship, conditions, and points of possible disagreement beforehand is the recipe for success. In this guide, we will look at what professionals need to know about contracting in therapy, offering practical ideas and examples to improve clinical practice.
What is a Therapeutic Contract?
A therapeutic contract establishes the framework within which therapy takes place. Drawing from Berne’s (1966) definition, we can understand it as “an explicit bilateral commitment to a well-defined course of action.” Unlike rigid legal documents, therapeutic contracts are living agreements that provide containment while allowing space for the therapeutic process to unfold.
Think of the contract as creating what Winnicott described as a “safe space” or what Langs talked about, the “therapeutic frame.” This structure gives both parties clarity about their relationship and sets expectations for their work together.
For example, including the periodicity of the sessions so that both parties know what to expect but maintaining the flexibility to modify this rhythm according to the needs of both parties.
Why Contracting Matters
Good contracting forms the pillars of ethical and effective therapeutic practice for several compelling reasons:
Establishing Safety
Clear contracting helps clients feel secure enough to explore difficult emotions. When a woman began therapy for anxiety, knowing exactly when and where she would meet her therapist, how long sessions would last, and what would happen to information she shared created a predictable environment that allowed her to gradually take risks in therapy.
Clarifying Expectations
Misaligned expectations represent one of the most common reasons for premature therapy termination. Failed or discontinued treatment often stems from unaddressed differences in expectations between practitioner and client.
A therapist working with a client on anger management clearly outlined that therapy would involve examining triggers and developing coping strategies, not simply “fixing” anger. This clarity prevented later disappointment when he realized the work required this exposure.
Ethical Practice
Contracts respect client autonomy by involving them in decisions about their treatment. They also provide accountability structures that protect both therapist and client.
Therapeutic Value
The contracting process itself can have therapeutic benefits. Imagine a client with coping difficulties; the contract negotiation can be an opportunity to explore these issues and address them.
How to Write a Therapy Contract?
Creating effective therapeutic contracts involves thoughtful consideration of several key elements:
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Essential Elements
A comprehensive therapy contract typically includes:
- Practical arrangements: Session frequency, duration, location, fees, cancellation policy
- Boundaries: Confidentiality and its limits, contact between sessions
- Goals and focus: What the client wants to achieve, how progress will be assessed
- Approach: Brief explanation of therapeutic method and what to expect
- Duration commitment: Time-limited or open-ended, review points
- Professional standards: Ethical framework followed, supervision arrangements
Process Rather Than Document
While some therapists use written contracts, the essence of contracting lies in the collaborative conversation. The process might take several sessions, particularly when working with complex issues or traumatized clients who need time to build trust.
A therapist working with survivors of domestic violence could start with minimal contracting around safety and confidentiality, gradually expanding the contract as clients feel more secure in the relationship.
What are the Three Types of Counseling Contracts?
Based on Berne’s work, therapeutic contracts can be of three types: Administrative, Professional, and Psychological.
1. Administrative Contract
This addresses the practical arrangements – sometimes called the business contract. It covers:
- Session logistics: Time, place, frequency, duration
- Financial arrangements: Fees, payment methods, cancellation policies
- Boundaries: Contact between sessions, social media policies
- Confidentiality: Its scope and limitations (safeguarding, supervision, legal requirements)
- Record-keeping: Notes, data protection, information sharing
For example, a therapist working within an Employee Assistance Program might specify that sessions will be weekly for six sessions, covered by the employer, with a brief outcomes report (without personal details) provided to the company.
2. Professional Contract
This defines the purpose and focus of therapy – what will be worked on and how:
- Goals: What the client hopes to achieve
- Methods: How the therapist works and what approaches might be used
- Roles: Responsibilities of both therapist and client
- Evaluation: How progress will be measured
- Duration: Whether time-limited or open-ended, with review points
For instance, a client struggling with workplace confidence might contract specifically to explore patterns of self-doubt in professional settings and develop assertiveness skills. If new issues arise during sessions, this contract may need to be adapted
3. Psychological Contract
This encompasses the unspoken, often unconscious expectations that both parties bring to therapy. While not explicitly stated, these assumptions powerfully influence the therapeutic relationship.
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A client with abandonment issues might unconsciously expect the therapist to eventually reject them. Similarly, a therapist might unconsciously want to “rescue” certain clients. These dynamics form the psychological contract.
Good therapy involves recognizing when these unconscious contracts are operating and addressing them thoughtfully.
The Contracting Matrix
A different outlook on the types of contracts can be offered by the contracting matrix, which provides a helpful framework for tailoring contracts to client needs:
- Outcome-focused contracts: Clear, behavioral goals for clients who know what they want.
- Clarifying contracts: For clients who want change but aren’t sure what’s needed.
- Exploratory contracts: For those experiencing distress without clarity about its origins.
- Growth and discovery contracts: For those seeking deeper self-understanding.
A single mother experiencing burnout might benefit from a clear, outcome-focused contract targeting specific stress management techniques. In contrast, someone saying “I’m successful but unhappy and don’t know why,” might need an exploratory contract.
Considerations in Contracting
Cultural Sensitivity
Cultural background significantly influences how clients perceive therapy and contracts. Some cultures may expect a more directive approach where the therapist provides advice and solutions. Others might be uncomfortable with explicit discussion of fees or emotional boundaries.
A therapist working with a client from a collectivist culture might recognize that standard Western contracting around individual confidentiality creates discomfort for the client, whose family expects involvement in healthcare decisions. They can negotiate a modified approach that respects both therapeutic boundaries and cultural values.
Flexibility for Different Client Needs
Having become familiar with the different types of existing contracts, therapists recognize the essential need to adapt them according to individual client circumstances. Each person brings unique challenges, cultural backgrounds, and therapeutic goals that demand personalized approaches. What works effectively for one client may prove completely unsuitable for another, requiring thoughtful modification of contractual elements.
Contracting in Different Settings
Therapeutic contracting also depends on the setting where therapy occurs. Agency environments often operate within predetermined parameters, such as session limits, which naturally shape the contracting process. Private practice settings, by contrast, typically offer greater freedom to develop contracts that truly reflect the unique needs of each therapeutic relationship.
Crisis intervention presents its own contracting priorities, with safety considerations taking precedence over other therapeutic goals. Additional contract elements can be thoughtfully introduced once immediate safety concerns have been addressed and stabilized.
Group therapy introduces another layer of complexity, as contracts must include agreements not only between the therapist and individual clients but also among all group members.
What is the Difference between a Counseling Contract and a Counseling Plan?
Though sometimes used interchangeably, contracts and plans serve distinct purposes:
The counseling contract establishes the framework and relationship parameters. It answers questions like:
- What are we agreeing to do together?
- What are the boundaries of our relationship?
- How will we work together?
The counseling plan details the specific therapeutic approach for addressing the client’s concerns. It answers:
- What specific issues will we address?
- What methods or interventions might help?
- What sequence will we follow?
- How will we measure progress?
A contract might state that therapy will focus on managing depression with six initial sessions, while the corresponding plan outlines a specific approach , for example, combining behavioral activation in the first two sessions, cognitive restructuring in sessions three and four, and relapse prevention in the final sessions.
Plans generally emerge from the assessment process and evolve more frequently than contracts as therapy progresses and understanding deepens.
Online Counselling Contract Template
The shift toward online therapy creates the need for additional contracting elements. Here’s a template addressing the unique aspects of virtual therapeutic relationships:
Online Therapy Agreement
- Session Logistics
- Sessions will be conducted via [platform] for [duration] at [frequency].
- Login details will be sent securely before each session.
- Technical difficulties: If connection issues occur, we will [backup plan].
- Privacy and Confidentiality
- Both parties agree to connect from a private location where conversations cannot be overheard. The therapist will conduct sessions from a professional, private space.
- Sessions will not be recorded without explicit mutual consent.
- [Standard confidentiality limits]
- Safety Planning
- Emergency contact: [Name, relationship, number]
- Local crisis resources: [Details]
- Location during sessions: I will inform the therapist of my physical location during sessions for emergency purposes.
- Technology Requirements
- Secure, private internet connection required
- Headphones recommended
- Device with camera and microphone
- Backup device available when possible
- Communication Between Sessions
- Channels of communication: [phone/email]
- Response time expectations: [timeframe]
- Emergency protocol: [details]
- Financial Details
- Payment method: [details]
- Timing of payment: [before/after sessions]
- Cancellation policy: [details]
I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.
Client signature: _________________ Date: _________ Therapist signature: ______________ Date: _________
Some Final Thoughts
Therapeutic contracts represent much more than administrative formalities: they form the basis for effective and ethical therapeutic practice. When carefully crafted and collaboratively negotiated, these agreements create the security and structure necessary for meaningful change to occur. The evolution from traditional face-to-face contracts to online therapeutic relationships demonstrates how the industry continues to adapt while maintaining the core principles of clarity, respect and professional accountability.
Successful contracting requires balancing structure with flexibility, respecting both cultural sensitivity and individual needs. Whether in crisis intervention, group therapy or private practice, the fundamental goal remains the same: to establish a framework that allows the therapist and client to participate fully in the therapeutic process. Through careful attention to the administrative, professional, and psychological dimensions of engagement, therapists can create the conditions for healing to flourish and therapeutic goals to become attainable realities.
References
Berne, E. (1966). Principles of group treatment. Oxford U. Press.
Langs, R. J. (1978). The Listening Process. Jason Aronson.
Sills, C. (2006). Contracts and Contract Making. In C. Sills (Ed.), Contracts in counselling and psychotherapy (2nd ed., pp. 9–26). Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446213421.n2
Winnicott, D.W. (1960) The Maturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment. London: Hogarth Press.
