Welcome
Thank you for choosing to work with me. This agreement sets out how I work and what you can expect from our therapeutic relationship. Please read it carefully before your first session. If you have any questions, we can discuss them together.
Confidentiality
Everything discussed in our therapy sessions is treated as confidential. Your personal information and clinical records are held securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the ethical requirements of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
As part of safe and ethical practice, I receive regular clinical supervision. Your work may be discussed anonymously with my clinical supervisor to support the quality and safety of the therapy. No identifying information will be shared unless there is a legal or ethical reason to do so.
Confidentiality may only be broken in the following circumstances:
• Where you have given your consent for information to be shared.
• Where I am legally required to disclose information, for example, by a court order.
• Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or to another person.
• Where disclosure is required by law, for example, in relation to terrorism, money laundering, or certain safeguarding concerns.
• Where there are safeguarding concerns involving a child or an adult at risk.
Wherever possible, I will discuss any need to share information with you before doing so.
Sessions, Fees and Payment
Therapy sessions last 50 minutes and are charged at £40 per session, unless agreed otherwise.
Payment is required in advance of each session unless we have agreed on an alternative arrangement.
Sessions will usually take place on an agreed regular day and time. If either of us needs to change an appointment, we will discuss an alternative where possible.
If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, please provide at least 48 hours' notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, or missed appointments, will be charged in full.
If I ever need to cancel a session, I will give as much notice as possible and will offer an alternative appointment where available.
My fees are reviewed periodically. Any changes will be communicated with at least one month's notice.
Beginning and Ending Therapy
Our first session provides an opportunity for us to explore what has brought you to therapy, discuss how I work, answer any questions you may have, and decide together whether we feel we are a good fit to work together.
Either of us may decide to end therapy at any time. Wherever possible, I encourage us to discuss ending therapy together so that we can bring our work to a thoughtful and planned conclusion.
If I believe that another therapist or service would better meet your needs, I will discuss this with you and, where appropriate, provide information about alternative sources of support.
Online Sessions
Sessions take place online via Zoom, which provides end-to-end encryption. Online therapy is available to clients who are ordinarily resident in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. If you move outside these locations during our work together, please let me know, as this may affect whether I am able to continue providing therapy.
To help ensure your privacy and the effectiveness of our work together, please:
• Join the session from a private, quiet space where you will not be interrupted.
• Ensure your camera and microphone are working before the session begins.
• Use a secure internet connection where possible.
• Avoid recording sessions or allowing anyone else to listen to or observe the session without prior agreement.
• Attend sessions free from the effects of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs so that you are able to engage fully in the therapeutic process.
Contact Between Sessions
Email is the preferred way to contact me regarding appointments, cancellations or administrative queries. I aim to respond within two working days, although I may not respond during evenings, weekends or periods of leave.
Please note that I am unable to provide therapeutic support by email or between sessions.
Emergencies and Crisis Support
I do not provide an emergency or crisis service.
If you are concerned about your immediate safety or the safety of someone else, please contact your GP, your local NHS Mental Health Crisis Team, call 999, or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.
Privacy and Data Protection
I collect and store personal information only where it is necessary for the provision of psychotherapy.
Client records are stored securely using password-protected and encrypted systems. I retain records only for as long as required by my professional, ethical and legal obligations, after which they are securely destroyed.
A separate Privacy Notice explains what information I collect, how it is used, your rights regarding your personal data, and how to make a data protection enquiry.
Complaints
If you have any concerns about our work together, I encourage you to discuss them with me in the first instance so that we can try to resolve them collaboratively.
If you remain dissatisfied, you may make a complaint through the appropriate professional procedures.
Professional Practice
I am a Student Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a Trainee Member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
I work in accordance with the ethical frameworks and professional standards of both organisations and undertake regular clinical supervision and continuing professional development to support safe, ethical and effective practice.
Professional will arrangements are in place so that, in the event of my unexpected long-term illness or death, clients can be informed appropriately and supported in bringing therapy to a safe conclusion.
Privacy Notice
A copy of my Privacy Notice is available on my website. It explains what personal information I collect, why I collect it, how it is stored, your rights under UK data protection law, and when information may be shared.