Last updated May 23, 2024
What is a Therapist Service Agreement?
A Therapist Service Agreement is a contract between a therapist and a client. It details the services the therapist will provide and the compensation they’ll receive in return. The agreement also addresses concerns such as privacy and confidentiality.
Our Therapist Service Agreement is suitable for various types of treatment, including counseling or psychotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or massage therapy.
A Therapist Service Agreement is also known as:
- Client-therapist contract
- Therapy consent form
- Therapy treatment contract
Who should use a Therapist Service Agreement?
Any form of therapist can benefit from using a Therapist Service Agreement to ensure clear communication with a patient. The document is especially valuable for freelance therapists or small business owners not part of a larger company with pre-existing contracts.
Why do I need a Therapist Service Agreement?
No matter the industry, using Service Agreements is vital when a provider works with a client. Therapy is no exception.
A Therapist Service Agreement sets clear expectations and boundaries with your patient. Putting terms in writing can help you build safe and trusting relationships since the agreement informs your patients of your commitment to confidentiality and privacy.
Having a written agreement can also limit misunderstandings and disagreements regarding things like fees, payment due dates, and late fees.
How do I write a Therapist Service Agreement?
Creating a Therapist Service Agreement is easy and convenient using LawDepot’s template. Collect all the information you need before you start filling out the questionnaire, and remember to double-check the details as you go.
You will need to include the following:
Choose the type of therapy you offer and describe the services you’ll be providing your patient. Next, our questionnaire will prompt you to select the state where the therapy will occur. Rules and regulations vary from state to state, and your Therapist Service Agreement will be customized to the jurisdiction you select.
Include information about the sessions. You can choose to set a start and end date for the treatment, set a specific number of appointments, or offer appointments on an ongoing basis. Also, you can add information about the frequency and duration of the appointments.
Provide your name and address, and do the same for your patient.
If your patient is a minor, you must also include the name and address of their parent or guardian. In this case, the agreement will be between you and the parent or guardian.
State the amount you will bill your patient per session or per hour. If your patient is paying a deposit before the treatment begins, include the deposit amount.
Decide how long the patient has to pay the invoices and what interest rate you’ll charge for late payments. You should also include details about the patient’s insurance, if applicable.
Include whether or not you’ll be available to your patient outside of the agreed-upon sessions and if you’ll be charging them for any additional expenses. Add instructions for how your patient can contact you with confidential information.
You can also choose to add additional clauses if there’s other information you need to cover.
What are the confidentiality requirements of a Therapist Services Agreement?
Regarding a Therapist Services Agreement, confidential information refers to any private patient information, whether business or personal, that could cause harm to the patient if shared or released.
By creating and signing a Therapist Services Agreement, you agree that you won’t disclose confidential information unless the patient consents or you are legally required to. Most disclosures of confidential information require consent from the patient.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state laws ensure patient confidentiality by protecting individually identifiable health information. HIPAA places no restrictions on the use of de-identified health information.
Patients have certain rights under HIPAA, including the rights to:
- Request access to their own medical information
- Change any incorrect information
- Get a list of everyone who has access to their information
- Request that certain information isn’t shared with others
Are Therapist Service Agreements legally binding?
A Therapist Service Agreement is a legally binding contract. If you and your client have a disagreement, the contract can prove the terms you both agreed to.
For example, you can use the contract to ground a lawsuit claiming any outstanding or unpaid fees owed by a patient. A patient can also, in some cases, sue a therapist for breach of confidentiality and use the agreement as evidence of the breached obligations.
To change or end a Therapist Service Agreement, use an Amending Agreement or a Termination Agreement.