Terms & Conditions

I am an integrative therapist who uses a person-centred approach with a humanistic foundation. I am a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and follow their code of ethics. I will offer unconditional positive regard, empathy, genuineness and respect for you, your values and belief system.

There will be a fee for each session, and this is payable in advance of each online session. Failure to pay may result in a session being cancelled.

Sessions are online and each session will last 50 minutes. Part of the first session will be an initial assessment of your presenting issue/s and a contracting check where we will discuss and assess if further counselling sessions will be offered to you, and whether you wish to continue.

Clients will need to ensure a quiet and safe space at home to sit in during counselling sessions.

If a client is unable to keep a planned appointment, they are required to give 24 hours' notice. If sessions are frequently cancelled, then a review of contract will be instigated. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be subject to charge.

Sessions will be on the same date and time each week/fortnight unless otherwise mutually agreed.

Respecting your confidentiality is of the utmost importance. However, if it is assessed that a client is at a point of serious imminent risk of harm, it may be necessary to alert others, such as a client's GP or emergency services.

Counsellors are not crisis points so clients will be referred to a crisis contact where appropriate. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as a counsellor may be obligated, in compliance with the law, to notify other agencies, particularly when the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a concern. In this instance, I will always endeavour to discuss disclosure to others with a client beforehand.

It is an ethical requirement that your counsellor has regular counselling supervision where clients will be discussed with a fully qualified counselling supervisor; however your identity is not disclosed during supervision.

Contact outside the sessions, except to change or cancel appointments, is not encouraged. If a client needs additional support beyond planned sessions, I can signpost other providers. Counsellors are not qualified to help or advise clients in respect of certain practical aspects of the presenting issues, such as housing, entitlement to statutory benefits, or legal advice.

Any notes taken during sessions will be retained only for the duration of the counselling sessions. Client name and address do not appear on the notes, and they will be identified in a manner which affords anonymity. Notes are confidential and not shared with anyone else. If there is a legal request for the notes to be shared, this will always be discussed with the client — a counsellor may or may not be obliged to supply notes due to confidentiality laws. This will also be under the exception of serious imminent risk where confidentiality may need to be breached.

Concerns regarding any aspect of the service should ideally be shared within the counselling sessions. I am also a member of the National Counselling Society where you can access the framework to ensure I am working ethically — NCPS Code of Ethics.

As any therapeutic relationship is built on trust and openness between client and counsellor, a binding contract will not be effective until the client has had the opportunity to read, consider and query any aspects of these terms and conditions. Only then will they be invited to sign a contract for counselling services.