Counselling Agreement

I will ask you to have a read through and agree to this counselling agreement prior to our initial session.

There will be an opportunity to discuss this further during our session.

Missed or Cancelled Appointments

If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment, or will be late, please phone or text your Counsellor to let them know.  There will be no charge if more than 24 hours notice of cancellation is given. If you cancel the session within 24 hours notice, or do not attend, the full fee will be charged.

Sessions are charged at £50 per 50 minute session for individuals. Fees are payable on, or before, the day of the session by bank transfer.

For an initial session, the full fee will be required prior to the day of the session, in order to secure the booking.

Confidentiality

Everything discussed during the session will be kept in strict confidence, with the exception of:

Supervision: Counsellors are required to have regular and on-going supervision, in line with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics. Supervision is essential for reviewing and monitoring a therapist’s work as well as an opportunity to gain new perspectives on the counselling process. Only first names will be used and your identity will remain anonymous.

Risk of Harm: If there is cause for concern for your safety, or the safety of a significant other, consultation may be sought with another professional, such as a GP. This will be discussed with you, so that we can find a mutually agreeable way forward.

Law: There is a legal requirement to disclose information, for example a court order, under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986. Client consent is not sought under these circumstances.

Limits for Counselling
Counselling cannot take place if you arrive at the session under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Sessions will also not continue if you cause harm to yourself or the Counsellor in any way during the session.

Client Notes and Data Protection
Counsellors are required to keep brief notes which are kept electronically and securely encrypted. Session notes will be held securely for five years after the therapeutic process has ended, at which point they will be deleted or destroyed accordingly. Personal Sensitive Data such as client contact details will be held securely for up to one year after the therapeutic process has ended. (See
‘Privacy Policy’ for more information).

Complaints
I work in line with the NCPS Code of Ethics, which ensures that I provide best practice for clients, and am accountable to their Complaints Procedure.

If you feel that you would like to make a complaint about my practice, please contact me in the first instance so we discuss and try to resolve the issue. Alternatively, if you would like to take this complaint further, please contact the NCPS and follow their complaints procedure.

Consent
Please check through the contract and confirm your agreement by emailing a completed Client Details and Consent Form.