Agreement for
No-Cost Mental Health Support

This agreement for no-cost mental health support is between The Care Collective LLC (“TCC”) and the undersigned frontline healthcare professional, first responder, clergy member, or essential service worker (“Participant”).

TCC is a community practice concept located in St. Louis, Missouri. TCC strives to be a leader in the community by providing clinicians with the consultation, collaboration, training and support they need to serve others with grace, love and compassion.

As the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent, TCC felt called to serve the community by helping frontline healthcare professionals, first responders, clergy members, and essential service workers who are seeking mental health support due to the pandemic with a volunteer mental health professional who is willing to offer at least three no-charge sessions (collectively, the “Volunteers”). This project is called #HelpersUnitedinService (the “Project”).

Due to their frontline work during the pandemic, Participant would like to be connected with a Volunteer so that Participant may receive up to three sessions at no charge.

The parties therefore agree as follows:

1. Nature of the Support

Participant understands that the goal of the Project is to provide support for processing the intensity, stress and pressure experienced by those on the frontlines in a safe and non-judgemental way; figuring out how to transition home after intense shifts; and managing urges to escape, numb-out or dissociate.

The pandemic may trigger traumatic memories or other difficult issues which can best be addressed in on-going counseling or therapy. Participant understands that the Volunteers intend to provide emotional and psychological support related to the pandemic and the areas of life that it affects. If Participant would like to receive ongoing support after the Project concludes to process some preexisting or resulting experiences, then that is something to be discussed directly between Participant and their Volunteer.

The scope of the Project may not be suited for individuals who are at imminent risk of suicide, or who struggle with severe and persistent mental illness. If Participant is worried about their own safety or the safety of someone else, they should contact BJC Behavioral Health Response Crisis Line at (800) 811-4760 or their local emergency department.

TCC and the Volunteers reserve the right to provide Participant with a referral to an appropriate agency if they determine that Participant requires help beyond the scope of the Project.

2. Connecting Participant with a Volunteer

By submitting the webform to receive counseling support through the Project, Participant agrees to the sharing of personal information (such as their name and contact information) between TCC’s administrative team for the purpose of referring Participant to participating Volunteers.

TCC will make every effort to connect Participant with a Volunteer within 48 hours of Participant’s webform submission.

Participant understands, however, that TCC can only meet the demand for support as supply of participating Volunteers is available. If no Volunteer is available at the time of Participant’s submission, TCC will contact Participant to let them know that a connection cannot be made.

3. Changing Volunteers

After a connection is made, if Participant does not hear from the Volunteer within 72 hours, Participant may notify TCC via email at Info@TheCareCollective.co. TCC will contact the Volunteer to inquire about the delay. Participant understands, however, that the Volunteers are not affiliated with TCC and TCC does not control their work in any way.

If the Volunteer does not respond within 24 hours, TCC will connect Participant with a different Volunteer (subject to availability).

Participant also understands that because participation is voluntary, a Volunteer may refuse to see Participant after the initial connection has been made. In that case, the Volunteer must inform TCC so that TCC can connect Participant with another volunteer.

4. Communication Methods

It is up to the Volunteer and Participant to decide how they will communicate. In order to comply with all federal, state and local orders regarding social distancing, sessions will be held by video or over the telephone.

5. Establishing the Therapeutic Relationship

The relationship is between Participant and their Volunteer—not TCC.

Participant understands that TCC functions solely as an intermediary helping to connect prospective participants and volunteers. Volunteers did not necessarily have any previous relationship to TCC prior to signing up to participate in the Project.

It is the Volunteer’s responsibility to sign an informed consent with Participant.

It is up to the Volunteer and Participant to schedule their sessions according to their respective schedules. TCC does not control the availability of the Volunteers in any way.

6. During the Relationship

During the therapeutic relationship, if Participant is unsatisfied with their Volunteer’s services, Participant should try to discuss their concerns directly with the Volunteer. If the concerns cannot be remediated, Participant and Volunteer should jointly notify TCC and TCC may be able to align Participant with another Volunteer (subject to availability).

If Participant feels that their Volunteer may have not abided by their code of ethics in their work with you, please confirm with the Volunteer what association they are registered with and how you can submit a formal complaint. This information should be provided to you in the informed consent that you and your Volunteer completed at the beginning.

7. Terminating the Therapeutic Relationship

Participant should expect their Volunteer to broach the subject of terminating the therapeutic relationship upon the completion of the no-charge session. This may include referrals for ongoing treatment if necessary.

The Volunteers have agreed not to solicit participants for paid sessions. Therefore, if Participant would like to continue working with their Volunteer after the Project concludes, it is up to the Participant to raise that topic directly with their Volunteer.

8. Limitation of Liability

TCC is not responsible for the services provided by the Volunteers and does not assume any risks or liabilities of the Volunteers’ counseling services.

Participant agrees not to hold TCC liable for any service provided by any Volunteer participating in the Project.

9. Signature

This agreement may be signed by electronic signature.