Please take some time to read and understand this document as it forms an agreement as to how we will work together as well as outlining my professional obligations regarding confidentiality. During our first session we will set aside some time to discuss this and give you a chance to ask any questions you may have. 

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​During your time here we will aim to build a therapeutic relationship in a non-judgmental, anti-discriminative environment irrespective of age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or beliefs. We value diversity and work with our clients on an individual basis.  We aim for an environment that enables you to feel safe and comfortable to explore your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We strive to help you explore and manage your difficulties and help you to gain awareness to enable you to manage these difficulties as they arise. We will use an integrative counselling model which means we can explore different techniques to improve your wellbeing and help you to live a better life. We offer both short and long term therapy to suit your needs.

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Confidentiality and data protection privacy statement

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This contract is in place to ensure that we can work together in a confidential, safe space. However, we work within the BACP Ethical Framework and as part of professional development must attend supervision sessions with another qualified counsellor. During these sessions we may need to share some of what we discuss to enable us to improve how we offer this service and improve our development. This will always remain anonymous and never reveal your identity.

 

It is important that you are aware that although our sessions are confidential, if we feel that there are safeguarding issues such as criminal activity, child protection issues, drug trafficking or terrorist activity, where there may be a risk of harm to you or others, or a crime may have been or is about to be committed then we would need to report this to any relevant third parties or authorities, such as Police and Social Services.  Where possible, we will inform you if this is the case. There are occasionally times where we may need to contact your GP, with your consent, when possible, if we feel that you would benefit from a medical assessment or medication. 

 

We may need to keep some brief notes on what we discuss in our sessions, however, these notes will be stored in a secure online system and stored in an encrypted file for your confidentiality. These will be kept for up to 5 years once your counselling ends then safely destroyed thereafter. 

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The Sessions

 

Our sessions will be 50 minutes, and we shall both be committed to attending on time. This is offered face to face, online platforms or telephone sessions. The 50-minute session will cost £50 and be paid 24 hours in advance of the session. Fees are reviewed yearly in April and I will give you 1 month notice of any increase. Payments can be made by cash or bank transfer.

 

If the need arises for you to cancel, then 24 hours’ notice should be given where possible using the telephone number or email address you received, if this notice is not given then the session will still be charged at full cost to you.  If you arrive late for your session, then the session will still end at the allocated time and be charged in full. If you do not attend your appointment, without prior arrangement, then that session will still be charged at full rate. If in the unlikely event that we need to cancel your session, then a new session will be offered as soon as possible. 

 

If you are unhappy with the way our sessions are progressing or if you feel that we are not building a good relationship, then we can help you find another suitable counsellor. This is not an issue at all and will not affect the service you receive. 

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Professional boundaries

 

Our relationship will always remain professional, this means that we will only be in contact to arrange, change or cancel appointments, which can be done by telephone, email or text message. If you are unable to wait for me to reply and need urgent professional assistance outside of my normal working hours, please contact NHS Direct 111, your GP, the emergency services on 999, or the Samaritans freephone 116123. 

 

No social activity will take place and no social media requests will be accepted; no other contact in-between sessions will take place. If you are unhappy with any services you receive then I hope we can discuss this. If you feel that you are unable to talk to me about it then you can find further information at BACP https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/get-help-with-counselling-concerns-service/  

 

We hope that you find this service helpful, and we look forward to working with you.