Risk training for counsellors in private practice

This comprehensive training is designed for counsellors in private practice to confidently and ethically navigate risk when working with clients.

We begin with an introduction to understanding risk in a private setting, including how working independently influences responsibility, decision-making, and support structures. Key concepts like duty of care and legal obligations are explored to highlight the counsellor's role in protecting client safety while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical integrity.

The training outlines various types of risk, including:

• suicidality and self-harm
• occupational risk
• risk to others or from others
• fluctuating risks and how to monitor changes over time

We introduce a scaling model for assessing and tracking risk, teaching practitioners how to work with a risk scale collaboratively with clients to gauge severity and guide clinical decisions.

Participants will learn how to conduct thorough risk assessments, incorporating clinical judgment, observation, and direct client input. Emphasis is placed on clear and consistent documentation, a critical legal and ethical requirement in private practice.

The course also focuses on collaborative risk management, equipping practitioners to work with clients rather than on them, supporting autonomy while ensuring safety. This includes how and when to escalate risk, and the necessary steps for breaching confidentiality appropriately and lawfully.

We then cover how to co-create an effective safety plan, ensuring clients are supported with actionable, realistic steps and resources during periods of heightened risk.

The training includes a walkthrough of essential templates, such as:

• risk assessment forms
• risk scaling tools
• safety plan templates
• documentation guidelines
• GP letter template
• breach of confidentiality logs

All templates are provided for immediate use in your private practice. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion, verifying their training in ethical and effective risk management.