I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a certified member of the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association. I subscribe to the BACP code of ethics.
Sessions are 60 minutes long and wherever possible I try to schedule a regular slot for your session. However, I recognise that this is not always possible and will do my best to be flexible to accommodate your needs.
As I do not have a waiting room, so I ask that you arrive as close to your session time as possible. Should you arrive late we will still finish at the scheduled time.
I charge individuals £45 an hour. Please get in contact to discuss pricing for couples sessions. I do offer a limited number of concessions – please ask.
Should you require me to write any reports or letters on your behalf, these will be charged at my hourly rate.
I ask that you pay on the day of your session, either by BACS or in person as I have a card reader. Where payment on account has been agreed, I require all accounts to be settled by the end of each month.
I ask that you let me know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a session. With less than 48 hours’ notice I require full payment. If you are able to notify me in advance, we may be able to find an alternative time. I will give you as much advance notice of holidays, or if I need to cancel an appointment, as possible.
I require at least one weeks’ notice of your intention to end therapy. This is to ensure we manage the ending appropriately, including organising any onward referrals or further support should it be needed.
Confidentiality is an essential aspect of all counselling and psychotherapy. It is the foundation on which the therapeutic relationship is built, and which makes this relationship different from any other. All records are held purely for promoting an effective therapeutic relationship. See below about data recording.
Where possible, I would always attempt to discuss the need to break confidentiality with you first and ask you to sign an appropriate consent form.
All information is confidential however, I am under legal obligation to break confidentiality should I consider that:
I may also be obliged to break confidentiality if you disclose involvement in certain criminal activities or if I'm required to defence myself legally.
As stated above, confidentiality is fundamental to counselling and psychotherapy. I hold records and personal contact details securely and treat all information in a way that ensures confidentiality. I will always ask for your preferred means of contact.
I keep the briefest of notes about our sessions as an aide memoire. These are stored on a password protected encrypted device. In my paper diary I record appointment times and session numbers and payments.
Confidentiality is also required of the client at all times. Under no circumstances is it permissible for the client to disclose any written, recorded, distributed correspondence or material related to our work together, or to record (video, audio) on a phone or on any other device the sessions.
I am required to attend for regular supervision, this is to ensure that I maintain my commitment to good practice. The duty of confidentiality extends to my supervisor/s. These sessions are also completely confidential, and no identifying names are used.
In the event of my being suddenly incapacitated a trusted colleague has access to my client list and would contact you directly. This is held in an encrypted form that only this colleague can access. This is a professional requirement.
As I cannot guarantee that I can be available to you when you might need it. Should you be in any danger please contact the emergency services, your GP or the Samaritans and we will discuss this in your next session.
I am strongly committed to anti-discrimination. I value diversity and difference, and do not discriminate on grounds of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, relationship status, race, colour, nationality, religion, political belief or disability.
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