Terms of Counselling Agreement

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CONFIDENTIALITY

Everything we discuss in our sessions together is confidential except:

1. Where, in my opinion, there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or to others

2. Where I believe there is a breach of The Terrorism Act 2000 and/or Drug Trafficking Act 1994

3. Where the executor of my professional will requires access to contact you

As an ethical therapist, I have regular supervision to allow me to gain support and guidance in my work. Your anonymity will be maintained and respected at all times.

I am a member of the BACP and work within their Ethical Framework.

COSTS, FREQUENCY, LENGTH OF SESSIONS

The fee for individual therapy is £60-£65 per session dependent on need, which is payable by bank transfer 1 full week before the session.

Sessions are 50 minutes long, but you are free to leave whenever you want.

Frequency of sessions with me is weekly. We will review the work that we are doing on the sixth session, so we can reflect on our work and decide if continuing is in your best interests.

You can opt for online or face-to-face therapy in advance of our sessions commencing.

CANCELLATION

I require 7 days’ notice in advance if you cancel a session, otherwise the session is payable. It is fine to leave a message on the answer phone if you need to cancel as this is checked regularly.

The full fee is payable if a session is missed without 7 days prior notice.

If you cannot give me 7 days notice, I will offer an alternative session that week (online or F2F), if my availability allows.

CONCLUDING THERAPY

At times therapy can be difficult. I would encourage you to talk through any difficulties you have with me.  

At some stage, you will feel ready to end your therapy. I encourage you to bring this in and we will discuss together how we will prepare and work towards this ending. It is important to have at least two ending sessions for us to reflect on our time together.

LIMITS FOR COUNSELLING

I cannot see clients who are, at the time of our appointment, under the influence of drink or drugs. I also ask that I am informed if you are prescribed any medication.

CODE OF ETHICS AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

I am a member of the BACP and work by their Code of Ethics, I am also a trainee psychotherapist and so I am a trainee member of the UKCP and also abide by their Code of Ethics too. This is to ensure that you receive a good service and means that I am accountable to a higher national organisation and must work within their guidelines. They have their own complaints procedure. Copies of this are available on request.

BOUNDARIES

Therapeutic relationships are kept within the confines of our session times.   If a situation arises between sessions that you feel cannot wait until your next session, feel free to email me, as it may be possible to arrange an emergency appointment.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

PROFESSIONAL WILL

I have designated a colleague as my professional executor should anything happen to me - to have access to my client records, to provide psychological services if needed, and to refer to another qualified professional if required.

AGREEMENT

I have read and understood the above information and agree to the conditions for counselling as made clear to me.