1. Session Times and Frequency

1.1 We will meet once each week at an agreed time and day for a 50-minute session.

1.2 I recommend an initial minimum of 6 sessions to allow our work to evolve. After that it is easier for you to make an informed decision about whether or not you wish to continue your counselling. If you continue beyond the first six sessions the period over which we work becomes open ended until we end by agreement.

1.3 The agreed time slot for your session will always be available to you for the duration of the contract, unless circumstances outside my control or yours make it necessary for us to review it.

1.4 If you are late for a session and I have not heard from you, I will be there for you for the duration of the session. I will not work beyond the end of the agreed session, which will end on time.

1.5 I require you to inform me with as much notice as possible if you are going to be late or unable to attend a session.

 

2: Fees

2.1 We will agree to a weekly fee at the start of our contract. This will be subject to periodic review.

2.2 I will give at least one month’s notice of any increase.

2.3 Payment is due at the session in cash, credit/debit card payment. If you wish to pay via BAC’s, or standing order, fees must be transferred to my account before the start of each session.

2.4 If you fail to show up without 48hrs notice you will still be charged for your session. 

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3: Contact outside of sessions

3.1 My telephone number and email address are for use in the case of cancellations or alterations. I will not enter into telephone or email counselling except in exceptional circumstances and by prior agreement.

3.2 My telephone number is not staffed continually and messages will only be picked up on an irregular basis throughout the day. My working days are Monday-Thursday. I will not respond to messages outside of these days.

3.3 I will reply to all messages as soon as possible. However, in my absence, should you experience an emergency please contact either the emergency services or if you are feeling suicidal, ring The Samaritans: 116 123. If you feel that this may be an issue, please discuss it with me.

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4: Commitment

At times Counselling can be very demanding, frustrating and emotional – just plain difficult – and you may feel reluctant to attend. This can be part of the therapeutic process. I would ask you to make a firm commitment to attend regularly and keep absences to a minimum, especially when that feels difficult for you.

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5: Confidentiality and its limits

5.1 The content of our sessions is confidential to you (the client) and to me (the counsellor),

5.2 I have regular clinical supervision with a qualified professional where I discuss my work in confidence. This is standard practice and helps me to work with you as well as I can. My aim is to provide the best quality of service to my clients and this is upheld by me discussing my practice with my supervisor and continuing to adhere to BACP and continual training. 

5.3 On rare occasions it may be necessary to break confidentiality, but only if I or my supervisor believe you are in danger of seriously harming yourself or someone else.

5.4 In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act confidentiality will be broken and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. I am liable to civil or court procedure if information of this sort is not disclosed.

5.5 Any necessary change to our confidentiality agreement will be made with prior consultation with you. This is in line with the BACP Code of Ethics.

5.6 It is important that you  tell me about any medication you may be taking and any therapeutic treatments you receive during our therapeutic relationship.

5.7 I may make brief notes after each session. These will be kept in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 (Please Read my Privacy Policy) these are purely to help me in my work with you. They are disclosed to no one other than, and only if necessary, to my clinical supervisor. These notes are securely stored, and you cannot be identified from them.

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6: Holidays and Cancellations

6.1 I will give you as much notice as possible of any intended breaks. I ask you to give as much notice as possible of any intended breaks.

6.2 If I am away or unable to attend you will not have to pay for the scheduled session.

6.3 When you start counselling a regular weekly commitment is established between you (the client) and me (the counsellor). This means that I cannot be available to anyone else if you miss a session without notice. In those circumstances I require you to pay the fee for your session. There are no exceptions to this. I ask you to give 48 hours notice of non-attendance. In those circumstances there will be no charge for the missed session.

6.4 If you don't attend your session or give 48hrs notice you will be charged for the session. 

 

7: Endings

7.1 In the normal course of events you will probably know when you are ready to finish Counselling, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this. You may at times find Counselling very difficult, become distressed and feel the need to end. I would invite you to talk to me about these difficulties rather than suddenly end, as an opportunity to resolve important issues may be lost.

7.2 I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of the work together, which we would fully discuss at that time.

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8: Complaints Procedures, Ethics and code of conduct

8.1 I am a  registered member of the BACP and work within their ethical framework.

BACP Membership No: 00995101, 

A copy of the ethical framework for the Counselling Professions can be found on the BACP’s website: BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions

8.2 If you are dissatisfied with the service provided please discuss your concerns with me as a first step. I will respond constructively and professionally to your feedback and stated needs and advise you to the best of my ability.

8.3 If we are unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion to your complaint I will advise you to contact the BACP Customer Services.

They will assist with a complaints procedure. See link: http://www.bacp.co.uk/crs/complaints.php

8.4 This contract will be subject to periodic review and you will be notified of any updates.

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